Proposition 50, a state ballot measure to redraw California’s congressional districts for the upcoming election cycle, was projected to pass as polling places closed Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press.
As of Tuesday evening, over 60% of California votes cast approved the measure. In Los Angeles County about three-fourths of voters cast their ballots in favor of the new map as well.
In early August, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced state Democrats would move forward with their plan to draw new congressional maps for the state in an effort to gain control of the House of Representatives by flipping up to five Republican-held seats, according to CNN. The map would last through the 2030 midterm elections.
This announcement was in response to state leaders in Texas moving forward with their own redistricting, which was backed by President Donald Trump and approved in their State Senate that same month. The new map sought to maintain the narrow Republican majority in the House by gaining five seats.
Proposition 50 or the Election Rigging Response Act has been described by supporters as a plan to level the playing field ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, in the hopes of stopping Trump and Texas Republicans from “an unprecedented power grab to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election before voting even begins,” according to its website.
Some critics of Prop. 50 argue it undermines the state’s previous efforts in maintaining non-partisan redistricting, and instead represents a hasty and self-serving attempt to get back at GOP leaders.
In all, 13 states could end up redrawing congressional maps, with Republicans gaining nine seats in Texas, Montana, Ohio and North Carolina while Democrats vie for six seats in California and Utah. Unless more states join in redistricting, California’s attempt to gain control of the House next year may fall short.