California voters move Prop 50 to redraw the state’s congressional maps, CBS Information initiatives

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 US of America, for the folks of this nation, the ideas 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, at the least: that our marketing campaign educated the folks of California so they might make an knowledgeable, if in my opinion unwise, choice about such a technical however crucial problem as redistricting reform, a call pressured to be revamped such a really brief time.”  

Proposition 50 was accepted 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 each side rapidly got here pouring in as soon as California voters handed Proposition 50.

Billionaire investor Tom Steyer has been a significant supporter of the measure and referred to as its approval “an unlimited victory for our state, our nation and our democracy.”

“In truth, 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 might be closely impacted by the redrawn district boundaries, referred to as the measure “a symptom of our nation’s political divisions.”

“The rationale I opposed Prop. 50, whilst I additionally oppose what’s occurred in different states, is as a result of I imagine 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.”

Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the No on Prop 50 Cease Sacramento’s Energy Seize marketing campaign, expressed disappointment within the choice.

“Ultimately, 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 truthful maps and trustworthy illustration for all Californians.”

Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic Nationwide Committee, referred to 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 Republican Celebration.

“Once 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.

What’s Proposition 50?

Proposition 50 will substitute 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 referred to 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 accepted 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 attempting to succeed him in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, have championed Proposition 50.

Different main supporters of Proposition 50 embrace billionaire traders 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 “does not make sense.” Schwarzenegger has additionally appeared in advertisements that oppose Proposition 50.

Others who oppose the initiative embrace 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 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 accepted 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 is no such thing as a assure that Democrats will win the seats though voters have accepted the brand new maps.

The 5 Republican-led congressional districts most focused beneath Proposition 50 are Rep. Doug 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.