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.
Proposition 50 was permitted by the Legislature and signed by Newsom on Aug. 21, permitting it to go earlier than voters for a Nov. 4 particular election.
Here is what to learn about Proposition 50 and California’s particular election.
California Proposition 50 dwell election outcomes
It might take a number of days to depend all mail-in ballots, as California accepts ballots postmarked by Election Day and acquired inside seven days.
What’s Proposition 50?
Proposition 50 will change California’s present congressional district maps that have been drawn by the unbiased California Citizens Redistricting Commission after the 2020 U.S. Census. New maps, crafted by the state Legislature, would 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’ recent redistricting push that was backed by President Trump and created 5 Republican-friendly congressional seats in that state.
California voters permitted the creation of the unbiased redistricting fee earlier this century to supervise the congressional mapmaking course of. The fee makes use of census knowledge and public enter to set district boundaries that mirror inhabitants modifications and preserve communities collectively.
If voters had rejected Proposition 50, California would have continued utilizing its present congressional district boundaries till new maps have been 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 attempting 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 Tom 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 ads that oppose Proposition 50.
Others who oppose the initiative embody Republican political donor Charles 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 commonplace for truthful redistricting by means of unbiased, citizen-led redistricting.
How Proposition 50 received on the poll
Proposition 50 was positioned on the poll by the California Legislature earlier this yr.
Lawmakers permitted 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 symbolize 43 whereas Republicans symbolize 9.
Proposition 50 was created to redraw congressional districts to make 5 of them presently held by GOP Home members extra favorable to being received by Democrats in subsequent yr’s midterms. Nonetheless, there isn’t any assure that Democrats will win the seats despite the fact that voters have permitted the brand new maps.
The 5 Republican-led congressional districts most focused below Proposition 50 are Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s District 1, Rep. Kevin Kiley‘s District 3, Rep. David Valadao’s District 22, Rep. Ken Calvert’s District 41, and Rep. Darrell Issa’s District 48.
