California Representative Seeks Federal Ban on Mid-Decade Redistricting

Rep. Kevin Kiley is advancing a discharge petition to force a House vote on legislation that would bar states from redrawing congressional districts outside the census cycle. Kiley said the petition responds to recent state-level map changes and follows statements by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that a national standard would address partisan redistricting.

Background on the Legislation The proposal would apply nationwide and prevent future mid-decade redraws. Several Democratic members have already signed the petition. Kiley stated that Jeffries could accelerate the process by endorsing the measure, noting that the minority leader had linked continued state-level redistricting to the absence of federal rules.

California’s redrawn 6th Congressional District, centered in the Sacramento area, now leans Democratic. Kiley is running in that district after declining to seek the reconfigured 3rd District. He re-registered as “No Party Preference” while continuing to caucus with Republicans.

Six candidates are competing in Tuesday’s primary; five have reported raising more than $100,000 each. Kiley said the cost of living, including housing and energy prices, remains the central issue for the district and that he would focus on those topics if reelected.