Overview
- California voters approved Proposition 50, temporarily replacing the citizens’ commission maps with legislature-drawn congressional districts for 2026, 2028 and 2030.
- At a Houston rally, Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the result and urged Democrats in other states to pursue similar strategies in response to Republican mid‑cycle remaps.
- The California Republican Party sued to block the maps, alleging race-based line drawing that violates the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment, with arguments tied to Gingles.
- Opponents are also pursuing a separate ballot measure that would limit Proposition 50’s effect to the 2026 election.
- Democrats say the new lines are crafted to add roughly five House seats from California beginning in 2026, offsetting GOP gains elsewhere unless courts issue injunctions.