Memo Accompanied by Theoretical Data Map Demonstrating Potential for Implications for Democrats and Republicans
LOS ANGELES (July 31, 2025) — As Texas advances a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan and California Governor Gavin Newsom signals openness to similar action, the UCLA Voting Rights Project (VRP) has released a legal and mapping analysis as leaders give thought to any policy action/ The legal memo argues that the text of the California Constitution continues to recognize the power of the Legislature to redistrict at least in some circumstances.
The VPR analysis provides a textual analysis of the California Constitution and concludes that neither Proposition 11 nor Proposition 20 stripped the Legislature of its power to establish or change congressional districts. While the Citizens Redistricting Commission remains responsible for drawing maps following the decennial census, the constitution text still recognizes that the Legislature can act independently at other times.
On the mapping side, to illustrate what is practically possible based on the state’s geography, population, and voting patterns, VRP mapping experts have released metrics on a theoretical congressional data map showing how new lines could result in additional Democratic-leaning districts across California. The map is not a policy recommendation or endorsement, but rather a data-informed contribution to the public discourse on redistricting.
Matt Barreto, faculty director of the VRP, said, “As an independent and theoretical exercise, we wanted to see if Governor Newsom’s objective was legally and practically possible. This map demonstrates it is possible to legally draw up to 50 congressional districts in California that are Democratic opportunity seats. If the state legislature and Governor decide to move in that direction, there are easily enough Democratic communities in California to achieve his goal.”
“The UCLA VRP is committed to the equal right to vote for all citizens regardless of their race, ethnicity, or preferences for policies or political parties. Our lawyers and experts have advocated to courts (including the U.S Supreme Court) and Congress for measures that would protect voters from state and local governments that dilute their votes based on their race, ethnicity, and/or viewpoints. States are right to enact laws that ensure their legislatures fairly represent the public. The Supreme Court and Congress should police partisan gerrymanders as violative of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. When it comes to fair representation in Congress, we need a national policy. Without a national policy, it is a worthwhile exercise for state leaders to consider what steps they can take to ensure Congress is at least representative of the Nation as a whole,” said Chad Dunn, legal director of the VPR.
Read the legal memo and review the map here.
ABOUT THE UCLA VOTING RIGHTS PROJECT
The UCLA Voting Rights Project is the marquee advocacy project of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles and is focused on voting rights litigation, research, policy, and training. The UCLA Voting Rights Project addresses monumental and overlooked gaps in the field of voting rights: how to train young lawyers and researchers, support the development of new legal and methodological theories for voting rights cases, and how to advance policy work to ensure that there is a new generation of leaders who are pursuing efforts to guarantee all citizens have equal and fair access to our democracy. The project was founded by Chad W. Dunn, J.D., and Matt Barreto, Ph.D. The UCLA Voting Rights Project is located within the Luskin School of Public Affairs.
To learn more about the UCLA Voting Rights Project, please visit: vrp.ucla.edu
