Overview
- California voters approved Proposition 50 with about 63.8% support, adopting Legislature-drawn congressional lines slated for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.
- The California Republican Party, Assemblymember David Tangipa and 18 voters filed a federal case in the Central District seeking to invalidate the maps and to obtain injunctive relief and a three-judge panel.
- Plaintiffs argue lawmakers used race as the predominant factor to favor Latino voters in at least 16 districts, citing standards from Cooper v. Harris, Miller v. Johnson and Thornburg v. Gingles.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office dismissed the suit’s chances, while legal scholars note the high burden to prove race predominated and the practical hurdles to changing election rules close to contests.
- Campaigns are already realigning to the new lines, with Republicans Ken Calvert and Young Kim launching bids in the new District 40 and other incumbents weighing options as certification is due by Dec. 12.