Prop 50 passes: California voters approve redistricting measure that could shift US House power

Prop 50 passes: How new district lines could reshape California politics

California voters have approved Proposition 50, redrawing congressional districts in a way that could cost Republicans five seats next year. The new maps are expected to reshape the political balance in favor of Democrats. And just a day after Election Day, we're learning it may actually cost six seats as Republican Ken Calvert announced he’ll challenge fellow Republican Young Kim next year for California's newly redrawn 40th district.

LOS ANGELES - California voters have approved Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act.

The AP called the race at 8 p.m.

Now approved, the ballot measure would allow the state to temporarily redraw California's congressional map, in an effort to help Democrats gain five more U.S. House seats next year. It's a move that could shift power in Washington and carry major implications for 2028.

The state would use new, legislatively drawn congressional district maps starting in 2026. California’s new maps would replace the existing ones through 2030. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission would then draw new maps following the U.S. Census.

What they're saying:

Governor Gavin Newsom called Tuesday's election a major victory for not only the Democratic Party, but for America and all its people. 

"We're proud here in California to be part of this narrative this evening. We're proud of the work that the people of the state of California did tonight, to send a powerful message to an historic president. Donald Trump is an historic president. He is the most historically unpopular president in modern history. In every critical category, Donald Trump is underwater. He promised to make us healthier. He promised to make us wealthier. We're sicker and poorer. And he fundamentally understands that," Newsom said Tuesday night. 

During his speech, he claimed Trump was attempting to "rig" the upcoming midterm elections and praised California voters for sending a "powerful message" in response. The governor said Trump’s tactics mirror his past efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Newsom calls passage of Prop 50 a major victory

California Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke to the public after Proposition 50 was overwhelmingly passed.

"He also announced today, right when polls were opening, that this election was rigged. That this election was rigged," Newsom said. "Of course, those are familiar words. It's exactly what Donald Trump said after January 6th, that day of love, where he tried to light democracy on fire."

"One thing he never counted on, though, was the state of California. Instead of agonizing over the state of our nation, we organized in an unprecedented way in a 90-day sprint. People from all over the United States of America contributed their voices and their support for this initiative. We stood tall, and we stood firm in response to Donald Trump's recklessness. And tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result," Newsom stated. 

California voters pass Prop. 50

California voters passed Proposition 50, which temporarily redraws California's congressional district lines. The outcome marked a victory for Democrats and Gov. Gavin Newsom ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

Why did California have a Special Election? 

The backstory:

The measure came in response to an effort in Texas for a mid-decade congressional redistricting that analysts said would give Republicans five additional seats. Other Republican-controlled states such as Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nebraska and South Carolina are also considering efforts to approve mid-decade redistricting. 

In August, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the "Election Rigging Act," triggering the special election that allowed voters to decide the fate of Prop. 50.

States typically redraw their congressional districts every 10 years. Proposition 50 asked voters to approve a rare mid-decade redistricting map. In modern-day, there have only been a few mid-decade redraws.

Race for power 

What's next:

The new map could eliminate up to five Republican-held seats, strengthen Democratic incumbents in competitive districts, boost Democrats’ edge to 48 of California’s 52 House seats, up from 43 now.

Currently, Republicans hold a 219–213 majority in the House, with three vacancies.

The outcome would ultimately determine which party wins control of the House. It also shapes the 2028 presidential contest, where Newsom, who is the face of the Prop. 50 campaign, is widely viewed as a likely contender.