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Major differences between redistricting in Texas and California

Sep 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
5

Editor,

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion — via flyers, letters, and TV ads — about redistricting in both Texas and California. One key difference between the two states, however, seems to be missing from the conversation.

(5) comments

Rscollins Sep 15, 2025 11:17am

Excellent point, and one I have been making myself.

Ariolimax Sep 15, 2025 9:15am

Bill Surraco’s letter oversimplifies the distinction between direct democracy, where citizens vote directly on issues like California’s proposed redistricting map, and a representative democratic republic, where elected officials, as in Texas, make such decisions on voters’ behalf. Both systems are democratic. Ironically, California’s Proposition 50, which Surraco’s view supports, would suspend this direct democratic process until 2031, ceding control and limiting voter input. Perhaps permanently. How can one reconcile championing voter input while endorsing a measure that silences it? California Democrats are already out of touch the average voter, and this proposition will make matters worse, not better for the party locally and nationally.

Terence Y Sep 15, 2025 9:02am

Nice try, Mr. Surraco, on repeating Democrat talking points to irrationally rationalize the threat to democracy known as Proposition 50. Unfortunately and as usual with Democrat talking points, they’re false and easily debunked. The true contrast is that everyone (even the ones who’d like to conveniently forget) knows there is a difference between Newsom’s antics and Texas’s redistricting. Texas lawmakers are pursuing new congressional maps following a directive from the DOJ asserting that current maps violate civil rights laws. There’s no such directive to California. If we truly care about democratic participation, this contrast deserves more attention.

Now that wannabe dictator Newsom has started a redistricting war, I believe Missouri is attempting to finalize their efforts to replace a Democrat seat with a Republican one. We can only hope all red states will retaliate against California’s retaliation. Have a Trump-tastic day!

Rscollins Sep 15, 2025 11:16am

And from where did that directive from the DOJ originate? We both know the answer. Mr. Surrraco is spot on. We are asking the voters to approve a new redistricting map; Texas isn’t. It’s that simple. And btw, I don’t like the idea of this proposition, but if it’s not done there will eventually be no opposition party in Congress, or just a token one. But hey, maybe that’s the goal.

Terence Y Sep 16, 2025 8:53am

Speaking of simple, Rscollins, Texas doesn’t need to ask voters to approve a new redistricting map because their redistricting is based upon a directive from the DOJ. Which you readily admit. Where is a directive from the DOJ that California is violating civil rights laws? There isn’t and yet Newsom and Democrats are attempting to irrationally rationalize sacrificing the opposition party in California in the name of party over people. But hey, maybe that’s the goal. Hypocrisy abounds. Since wannabe dictator Newsom started the redistricting ware, we can only hope all red states will retaliate against California’s retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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