(KRON) – California voters approved the state’s redistricting measure, Proposition 50, clearing the way for Democrats to pick up five additional congressional seats in next year’s midterm elections, according to the Associated Press. Early results indicate that the measure, introduced to counter Republican redistricting efforts in Texas, has been passed by a majority of voters in California.
The effort behind Prop 50 was led by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has emerged as one of the most prominent national critics of President Donald Trump. With the passage of the bill, California is now able to implement a new congressional map for the next three election cycles.
After the 2030 U.S. Census, California’s independent redistricting commission will resume drawing the state’s congressional maps.
California is one of a number of states nationwide that are reshaping congressional voting districts ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The national fight over partisan gerrymandering has heated up in Texas, following a campaign by President Trump.
The Republican-controlled state adopted a new map in August that could flip five Democratic-leaning US House seats. California was the second state to take steps. In the period between the California legislature’s passage of the map in August and this election, both Missouri and North Carolina adopted new maps. Other countries may follow suit soon.
The outcome of this ballot measure could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections, which will see Republicans attempt to overcome the historical pattern of the president’s party losing seats in midterm elections. The GOP margin is slim. As Tuesday’s elections approached, Republicans controlled 219 seats compared to 213 for Democrats, with three vacant seats.
With the passage of Proposition 50, Democrats are now poised to control up to 48 of California’s 52 congressional seats, up from 43 seats currently held by the party.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.