California voters have handed Proposition 50, CBS Information initiatives, approving a measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats that will redraw the state’s congressional districts.
The measure is meant to make a number of Republican-held congressional districts in California extra favorable to Democrats within the 2026 midterm elections in an effort to counter latest redistricting in states together with Texas that favors Republicans.
“It was not only a victory tonight for the Democratic Celebration. It was a victory for the USA of America, for the folks of this nation, the rules that our Founding Fathers lived and died for,” Newsom mentioned in a press convention after the measure handed. “We’re proud right here in California to be part of this narrative.”
Proposition 50’s passage drew swift response from high-profile opponents of the measure, together with Republican political donor Charles Munger, Jr.
“For what looms for the folks of California, I’m saddened by the passage of Proposition 50,” Munger Jr. mentioned. “However I’m content material on this, not less than: that our marketing campaign educated the folks of California so they might make an knowledgeable, if in my opinion unwise, resolution about such a technical however essential concern as redistricting reform, a choice pressured to be remodeled such a really quick time.”
Proposition 50 was authorised by the Legislature and signed by Newsom on Aug. 21, permitting it to go earlier than voters for a Nov. 4 particular election.
This is what to find out about Proposition 50 and California’s particular election.
California Proposition 50 reside election outcomes
It may take a number of days to depend all mail-in ballots, as California accepts ballots postmarked by Election Day and acquired inside seven days.
Reactions to Proposition 50 passing
Reactions from either side shortly got here pouring in as soon as California voters handed Proposition 50.
Billionaire investor Tom Steyer has been a serious supporter of the measure and known as its approval “an unlimited victory for our state, our nation and our democracy.”
“In actual fact, voters all throughout the nation tonight despatched a transparent sign tonight that when Democrats struggle for working folks and their pursuits, Democrats win,” Steyer mentioned in an announcement.
Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley, whose District 3 will likely be closely impacted by the redrawn district boundaries, known as the measure “a symptom of our nation’s political divisions.”
“The explanation I opposed Prop. 50, whilst I additionally oppose what’s occurred in different states, is as a result of I consider preventing hearth with hearth burns every part down,” Kiley mentioned. “With California’s new gerrymander, the redistricting arms race has no finish in sight… It is a race to the underside that degrades democracy in every single place.”
Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa, whose District 1 may even be closely impacted by the brand new maps, mentioned opponents of the measure anticipate to take authorized motion as early as this week.
“Ought to these outcomes stick, the imbalance in California between rural and concrete voices will get that a lot worse, basically silencing our portion of the state,” Lamalfa mentioned. These of us who help honest maps will proceed to oppose Newsom’s scheme, and we anticipate to file swimsuit on Wednesday. I hope and anticipate the courts will see this for what it is-blatantly corrupt and unconstitutional.”
Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the No on Prop 50 Cease Sacramento’s Energy Seize marketing campaign, expressed disappointment within the resolution.
“In the long run, the tens of tens of millions poured in to advertise these gerrymandered maps have been an excessive amount of to beat, as Newsom put his nationwide ambitions forward of defending California’s voter-approved impartial redistricting fee and the tens of millions of voices now silenced,” Patterson mentioned. “Although this is not the end result we hoped for, we’re proud to have stood for honest maps and trustworthy illustration for all Californians.”
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic Nationwide Committee, known as the passage of Proposition 50 “a testomony to the management of Governor Newsom and Democrats throughout California who refused to again down” to the Trump administration and the Republican Celebration.
“After we struggle, we win, and from Day One, the DNC has been proud to face proper there alongside Californians to defend democracy and ship a message that echoes nationwide,” Martin mentioned.
Newsom additionally known as on different states to comply with California’s lead and acknowledge “what’s at stake.”
“All of us should contribute a verse,” Newsom mentioned. “And so we want the state of Virginia, we want the state of Maryland, we want our buddies in New York and Illinois and Colorado, we have to see different states, their outstanding leaders which have been doing outstanding issues to satisfy this second head on as effectively, to acknowledge what we’re up in opposition to in 2026.”
What’s Proposition 50?
Proposition 50 will exchange California’s present congressional district maps that have been drawn by the impartial California Residents Redistricting Fee after the 2020 U.S. Census. New maps, crafted by the state Legislature, redraw the state’s congressional districts to make 5 Republican-held U.S. Home seats in California extra favorable for Democrats within the 2026 midterm elections.
California Democrats have known as Proposition 50 a countermeasure to Texas’ latest redistricting push that was backed by President Trump and created 5 Republican-friendly congressional seats in that state.
California voters authorised the creation of the impartial redistricting fee earlier this century to supervise the congressional mapmaking course of. The fee makes use of census information and public enter to set district boundaries that mirror inhabitants modifications and maintain communities collectively.
If voters had rejected Proposition 50, California would have continued utilizing its present congressional district boundaries till new maps are drawn by the redistricting fee after the 2030 Census.
Who urged voters to vote sure on Proposition 50?
Gov. Newsom and high Democratic leaders, together with many who’re making an attempt to succeed him in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, have championed Proposition 50.
Different main supporters of Proposition 50 embody billionaire buyers George Soros and Steyer, and former President Barack Obama, who featured in a Sure on 50 marketing campaign advert, calling on voters to approve the poll measure.
Supporters argue that Proposition 50 defends democracy and restores equity after redistricting efforts in GOP-led states like Texas.
Who urged voters to vote no on Proposition 50?
Former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has criticized the redistricting effort, saying the initiative “would not make sense.” Schwarzenegger has additionally appeared in advertisements that oppose Proposition 50.
Others who oppose the initiative embody Munger, Jr., who contributed greater than $32.7 million, and Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Opponents argue that Proposition 50 is gerrymandering and that California ought to keep its customary for honest redistricting via impartial, citizen-led redistricting.
How Proposition 50 bought on the poll
Proposition 50 was positioned on the poll by the California Legislature earlier this yr.
Lawmakers authorised the measure throughout a particular session in August, and Newsom’s signature set the stage for this statewide particular election.
Which California districts would change with Proposition 50?
Amongst California’s 52 congressional districts, Democrats characterize 43 whereas Republicans characterize 9.
Proposition 50 was created to redraw congressional districts to make 5 of them presently held by GOP Home members extra favorable to being gained by Democrats in subsequent yr’s midterms. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a assure that Democrats will win the seats despite the fact that voters have authorised the brand new maps.
The 5 Republican-led congressional districts most focused beneath Proposition 50 are Rep. LaMalfa’s District 1, Rep. Kiley‘s District 3, Rep. David Valadao’s District 22, Rep. Ken Calvert’s District 41, and Rep. Darrell Issa’s District 48.
