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Today, Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) opposed an egregious legislative package to gerrymander California’s congressional districts.
“California voters are already living under a supermajority that doesn’t reflect the state’s diverse values,” said Senator Seyarto. “Now the Governor wants to spend over $200 million on a special election to redraw maps that not only sidelines Republicans, but silences and suppresses independent voters and everyone who isn’t a progressive Democrat. All Californians deserve fair and balanced representation.”
This week, Senator Seyarto also raised concerns in the Senate Appropriations Committee, asking pointed questions of the author and the Department of Finance.
"I want to note for the record that we do not have all the fiscal information that we need to make this decision," said Senator Seyarto. "And we're going to do it anyway."
Senator Seyarto questioned how much the redrawing of maps has already cost California taxpayers without their approval, and why lawmakers are prioritizing it during a budget deficit when services are being cut and the real needs of communities are being overlooked.
Despite serious concerns and unanswered questions, Democrats pushed this three-part legislation (AB 604, SB 280, and ACA 8) through in just one week without transparency or clarity about the legality and validity of the proposed maps.