Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office is responding to a report that the U.S. Department of Justice is planning to send federal election observers to California and New Jersey next month following requests from the states’ Republican parties.
Newsom, in August, signed a bill calling for a Nov. 4 special election that will let Californians decide whether lawmakers should temporarily take control of drawing the state’s congressional maps, which would heavily favor Democrats.
The DOJ was expected to announce on Friday that it plans to monitor polling sites in southern and central California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside, and Fresno. They plan to do the same in Passaic County, New Jersey, according to the Associated Press.
The goal, according to the DOJ, is “to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.”
Newsom’s press office on X responded to the report, highlighting that California’s upcoming special election isn’t a federal one.
“This is not a federal election. The US DOJ has no business or basis to interfere with this election. This is solely about whether California amends our state constitution,” the post said. “This administration has made no secret of its goal to undermine free and fair elections. Deploying these federal forces appears to be an intimidation tactic, meant for one thing: suppressing the vote.”
“Hi, if there’s nothing to hide or wrong, why the concern in having the DOJ observe the elections departments?” the California Republican Party said in response to the post. “Isn’t transparency a good thing that only strengthens trust in our process, system, and government?”
Californians will decide on Prop 50 on Nov. 4. The proposal would override the state’s independent redistricting commission for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The commission, approved by voters through ballot measures in 2008 and 2010, was designed to remove politics from the process, which is typically conducted every 10 years using U.S. Census data.
Under the plan, the commission would remain in law but lose authority – at least temporarily.
Supporters argue that the measure is necessary to counter partisan gerrymandering in GOP-led states. Opponents, however, argue it amounts to gerrymandering itself, returning power to politicians after voters had deliberately removed it.
A “yes” vote would allow the Legislature to implement new maps for the next election cycle. A “no” vote would preserve the current maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission until new lines are created after the 2030 Census.
Counties would face one-time costs of up to several million dollars to update election materials.
A new Emerson College poll found that 57% of likely California voters support Prop 50, while 37% oppose it. Six percent are undecided.
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