Shortly after noon, California’s state Senate approved a bill setting specific boundaries for proposed new congressional maps for the next three elections.

The vote, approving AB 604 along party lines, kicked off the votes legislators are taking Thursday, Aug. 21, on a redistricting package that could lead to new, partisan congressional maps that would make it easier for Democrats to pick up an additional five House seats in next year’s midterm elections.

Take together, the bills, in essence, would allow a measure to be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, asking voters to approve the partisan congressional maps, which Democrats say are intended to counter similar gerrymandering efforts that Texas and other red states are considering — at the urging of President Donald Trump — to ensure that

See Full Page