Overnight, California's governor signed into law *** plan for voters to decide whether to approve *** redrawn congressional map. It would give Democrats 5 more winnable seats in the US House next year.

The major parties' redistricting battle escalated this week, with lawmakers in the country's two most populous states each taking a notable step toward a new congressional map.

The move sets up a ballot initiative that, if approved by voters, would sidestep the independent commission in charge of redistricting.

IT’S OFFICIALLY AN ELECTION YEAR IN CALIFORNIA. CALIFORNIA VOTERS THIS NOVEMBER WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE OR REJECT A NEW DEMOCRATIC DRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAPS MEANT TO ADD MORE DEMOCRATIC SEATS IN CONGRESS.

The new, partisan maps come on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s launch of California’s redistricting campaign on Thursday, an effort he touted as meant to favor Democrats in California in the upcoming midterm elections as a counter to similar efforts in Republican-led states elsewhere in the country.

The Texas Senate could vote Friday to approve new congressional maps drawn to help Republicans win as many as five more House seats in next year’s midterm elections.

Curry explains Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter Texas redistricting by redrawing California’s congressional maps.