The California Teachers Association (CTA) has announced its support for a statewide ballot initiative on redistricting, set for consideration in November. The move comes as the union responds to what it describes as significant threats to democracy and public education.
CTA President David B. Goldberg released a statement outlining the union’s concerns regarding recent federal actions. According to Goldberg, “Over the past several months, we have seen the Trump administration freeze funds for critical education programs, cut healthcare for millions of our students and their families, attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, and pass a new voucher program designed to destroy public education entirely. There have also been unprecedented attacks on our immigrant communities and our LGBTQIA+ students and families.”
Goldberg also pointed to efforts by Texas and other states that he characterized as attempts to influence congressional representation ahead of the 2026 election. “It is clear that we are also now facing an unprecedented power grab by Texas and other states to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election in favor of the current federal administration. This is a direct and urgent attack on our democracy,” he said.
He warned that unchecked actions could result in further reductions in funding for public services and an erosion of civil rights. “If this power grab goes unchecked, we will only see more drastic cuts to public education, healthcare, and other critical services and a further erosion of basic civil and human rights in our communities. Given these extreme threats, our union is supporting a statewide ballot initiative on redistricting in California planned for this November. This initiative is designed to counter the redistricting plan being led by Texas and other states and stop this blatant consolidation of power.”
Goldberg criticized members of Congress affected by potential redistricting changes, alleging they have not prioritized students or communities. “Every member of Congress who would be impacted by redistricting in our state has repeatedly sided with corporations and billionaires over our students and communities. Several of them lied directly to our members when we visited their offices this Spring to demand they vote against draconian cuts to our schools. They’ve made their priorities clear. California union educators will fight back against any and all attacks on our democracy and public education.”
The CTA’s endorsement marks an escalation in organized labor’s involvement in state-level electoral reforms related to representation.
