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California Voters Approve Prop 50 Redistricting as State GOP Files Federal Challenge

Republicans immediately filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Legislature-drawn map.

Overview

  • The measure passed with roughly 63.8% support, with more than 6 million ballots counted on election night.
  • Prop 50 temporarily replaces the independent redistricting commission so lawmakers can draw congressional lines for 2026–2030, a map analysts say could add up to five Democratic seats.
  • The lawsuit lists the California Republican Party, Assemblymember David Tangipa and 18 residents as plaintiffs, and names Gov. Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber as defendants.
  • Plaintiffs allege violations of the 14th and 15th Amendments and argue the maps unfairly advantage Latino voters, while Newsom’s office expresses confidence the maps will withstand legal scrutiny.
  • Legal experts view the GOP challenge as unlikely to succeed, though a forthcoming Supreme Court ruling on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act could still affect the maps before the 2026 midterms.