LOS ANGELES - A national political battle over redistricting is escalating as California lawmakers approved a special election that will be held Nov. 4 for voters to decide on the newly proposed congressional maps. Lawmakers voted mostly along party lines after hours of debate. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation Thursday evening.

The Texas Senate has given final approval to a new, Republican-leaning congressional voting map, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.

The Texas Senate on Saturday approved new congressional maps drawn to help Republicans win as many as five more House seats in next year’s midterm elections.

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

The California Assembly on Friday night shared a map that the California Legislature may consider as the state moves ahead with a plan to redraw its congressional lines if Texas moves forward with its redistricting plan.

Rep. George Whitesides, a prime GOP target, would be in a bluer district as other Dems pick up more Republican voters.

The vote clears the way for Gov. Greg Abbott to sign the map into law and sets up a path for Republicans to gain up to five additional seats in the House.

California and Texas, the country's two most populous states, are getting closer to redrawing their congressional districts in a political fight sparked by President Trump.