California Voters Approve Partisan Redistricting Plan Favoring Democrats

California voters have approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that redraws the state’s congressional map in a way likely to benefit Democrats, according to The Associated Press. The measure could net the party as many as five additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterms, marking a significant victory in the national battle over redistricting.

Proposition 50 replaces congressional boundaries previously drawn by California’s independent citizens commission, established in 2010. The measure was championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who argued that the new lines were necessary to counteract Republican-friendly maps enacted in states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.

Newsom’s campaign raised nearly $120 million, with major donors including House Majority PAC and George Soros’ Fund for Policy Reform. High-profile Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, appeared in statewide ads supporting the measure. Polling in the final week showed more than 90% of Democrats backing Proposition 50, while over 90% of Republicans opposed it.

Opposition was largely led by Bay Area donor Charles Munger Jr., who contributed roughly $33 million of the $44 million raised against the measure. Other Republican leaders, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, played minimal roles, limiting the campaign’s effectiveness.

The new congressional map will create challenges for Republican incumbents, including Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, and Doug LaMalfa, who may face difficult reelection battles in reshaped districts. The revised lines will remain in effect through 2030, after which the independent citizens commission will resume control of redistricting.

This outcome, combined with Democratic victories in other races in Virginia and New Jersey, underscores the party’s ability to consolidate power in key regions as the 2026 midterms approach.