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2h ago

California Votes on Prop 50, a Temporary Takeover of Congressional Mapmaking

The decision could shift up to five U.S. House seats by allowing a legislature-drawn map to replace the independent commission’s lines through 2030.

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A voter drops his ballot in a drop box outside of San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday.

Overview

  • Polling places are open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT, and vote‑by‑mail ballots count if postmarked by Nov. 4 and received by Nov. 12.
  • More than 6 million ballots had been returned before Election Day, with the single‑issue special election drawing heavy early participation.
  • Pre‑election surveys showed majority support for the measure, including an Emerson poll finding 57% of likely voters in favor.
  • President Trump labeled the process a “giant scam” and claimed California’s voting is “rigged,” assertions rejected as baseless by the state’s elections chief, while federal monitors were dispatched to select counties.
  • If approved, Prop 50 would pause the citizens’ redistricting commission for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 cycles and could flip as many as five Republican‑held districts in a House currently split 219–213.