California enacted new congressional districts on Dec. 27, 2021, when the California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivered its final map to the secretary of state. The commission voted 14-0 in favor of the final map on Dec. 20, 2021. California was apportioned 52 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one fewer than it received after the 2010 census. This map will take effect for California’s 2022 congressional elections.
The Los Angeles Times’ Seema Mehta, Melanie Mason, and Jason Myers wrote, “The state’s 42 Democratic congressional incumbents largely fared well,” adding that “nearly half the state’s 11 Republican members of Congress will see their districts grow more blue.”
The Associated Press’ Don Thompson wrote that the new map created 16 congressional districts with a Latino citizen voting age population greater than 50%, an increase of six such districts compared to the previous map.
National Republican Redistricting Trust Executive Director Adam Kincaid said, “California’s ‘independent’ redistricting commission is producing wildly contorted congressional lines,” saying the maps “ignore California’s communities in a desperate attempt to try to save Nancy Pelosi’s majority.”
The commission’s nonpartisan chairwoman, Isha Ahmad, said, “We drew district maps in an open and transparent manner that did more than merely allow public input — we actively sought and encouraged broad public participation in the process through a massive education and outreach program.”
As of Jan. 3, 24 states have adopted new congressional maps, two have enacted maps that have not yet gone into effect, six states were apportioned one congressional district (so no congressional redistricting is required), and 18 states have not yet adopted new congressional maps. As of Jan. 3 in 2012, 31 states had enacted congressional redistricting plans.
States have completed congressional redistricting for 274 of the 435 seats (63.0%) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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