SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elections officials across California are preparing a speed run toward a possible special election on Nov. 4, as the state considers a response to Texas’ efforts to redraw congressional maps to benefit Republicans.

The election would be about whether or not to adopt new congressional maps that benefit Democrats. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he would only ask the Legislature to call the election if Texas moves ahead with its plan. That plan is currently in limbo, as Texas Democratic lawmakers remain out of state to deny Republicans quorum in their legislature.

Still, with so much needing to happen if the election is authorized, officials are organizing now, should the dominoes begin to fall. The Secretary of State’s office, which oversees the election process, has given the Legislature a deadline of August 22 to decide whether or not it’s happening.

“Any less than two and a half months, you’re not gonna have time to hire people and get them trained and get everything running properly in order to do the election,” said Secretary of State Spokesman Jim Patrick.

The August 22 deadline means lawmakers, who return from summer recess on August 18, will have just a few days to publicly discuss possible maps and approve a special election.

Some election statutes will have to be suspended

If that election is called, officials will launch into action, with only 80 days until November 4th. According to Patrick, that means the state will have blown past two existing requirements: one which mandates the governor give the public 148 days notice before a statewide election and another that commands the Legislature to approve placing something on the ballot not less than 131 days before an election. He said they’ll likely be unable to meet a requirement to show counties a voter guide 48 days before an election. Patrick said these statutes will need to be suspended by the Legislature.

To prepare officials, the Secretary of State’s office held a planning meeting Monday with over 250 people calling in.

“These folks are now whipping together contracts. They’re trying to get workers,” Patrick said. He said one county is scrambling for envelopes for vote-by-mail ballots.

“It’s exciting on the one hand,” Patrick said, although, “cramming an entire year’s worth of work into two and a half months is a daunting prospect.”

Placer County Registrar Ryan Ronco was on the call. He said “a lot of items are up in the air,” but officials were told it was “highly likely” the election would take place.

On Friday, his team reached out to its usual voting centers, drop-box locations, and volunteers. Ronco said the county will have to identify 500 to 600 people to be volunteers for the 11 days voting centers will be open.

“It’s possible,” he said. “Elections officials are used to pulling miracles out of thin air.”

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