House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is escalating his efforts this week to thwart Republicans’ nationwide redistricting push.
The New York Democrat spent the weekend in southern California, campaigning for the Proposition 50 ballot initiative that would let Democrats gerrymander California’s congressional map.
Behind the scenes, Jeffries also has continued to lobby state lawmakers in Illinois for a stalled redistricting effort there, according to sources familiar with his plans.
And Jeffries has been plotting with Ohio Democrats on how to block a GOP attempt to draw out Democratic Reps. Emilia Sykes and Marcy Kaptur.
This multi-state effort is crucial for Democrats’ chances to retake the House majority.
California. The Nov. 4 special election for Prop 50 could net Democrats five House seats and neutralize the GOP’s new map in Texas.
Jeffries joined SEIU California President David Huerta on Saturday for a canvass launch in support of Prop 50. Jeffries also campaigned in Orange County with swing-seat Rep. Derek Tran (D-Calif.). On Sunday, Jeffries spoke at three African-American churches during a swing with Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.).
Here’s Jeffries’ pitch to voters on Prop 50:
“Donald Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections. He wants to alter the congressional maps all across the country, starting in Texas, to try to rob all of you and the American people the ability to actually make the decision in a free and fair election as to who should be representing your interest in Congress.”
Democrats are optimistic Prop 50 will pass, given the favorable polling and their huge TV spending advantage.
Ohio. Republicans are required by state law to redistrict for 2026. Democrats expect them to pass a map this fall targeting Sykes, Kaptur and maybe even Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio).
Jeffries is increasingly turning his attention toward an attempt to stymie them. If Republicans pass their new map without bipartisan support, as expected, Democrats can force a referendum on that map by gathering roughly 250,000 signatures in the 90 days after the map is passed.
This will be an extremely expensive campaign. Jeffries is preparing to fundraise and increase awareness for a potential signature-gathering effort, according to sources familiar with his plans.
If Democrats can get signatures in time, the map wouldn’t go into effect until Ohio voters get a chance to approve it in November 2026. But that would leave the state without a map.
In that scenario, Democrats are hoping a state court would extend the current map through 2026. Republicans would likely ask that their new proposal take effect. There are a lot of unknowns here.
Illinois. Jeffries has been a driving force urging Democrats to redistrict in Illinois and net a seat by drawing out Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.). Those conversations continued this weekend, but he faces major roadblocks.
Democratic members from Illinois are wary of redistricting decreasing Black representation in their delegation or endangering Democrats in safe seats. Jeffries’ team has shown members a tweaked proposal of potential district lines in recent days to ease concerns.
The bigger issue lies in Springfield, where state lawmakers are hesitant to blow up their map with a ballot filing deadline that is just two weeks away.
Jeffries has made the case to Illinois legislative leadership that they should get on board with a new map to blunt President Donald Trump’s efforts in red states.
