It started as a ploy to scare Texas out of redrawing its congressional map and ended with California voters approving a new map of their own, one that could help alter the balance of power in Washington. Host Beth Ruyak talks with Paul Mitchell, head of Redistricting Partners and the person who drew the Prop 50 maps, and LA Times political writer Seema Mehta about how it happened. They discuss the five seats Democrats hope to pick up in California on Nov. 3 and the current odds of victory or defeat. They also consider whether the changing political landscape could determine if California’s independent commission will take back the job in 2031.
It started as a ploy to scare Texas out of redrawing its congressional map and ended with California voters approving a new map of their own, one that could help alter the balance of power in Washington. Host Beth Ruyak talks with Paul Mitchell, head of Redistricting Partners and the person who drew the Prop 50 maps, and LA Times political writer Seema Mehta about how it happened. They discuss the five seats Democrats hope to pick up in California on Nov. 3 and the current odds of victory or defeat. They also consider whether the changing political landscape could determine if California’s independent commission will take back the job in 2031.