A California ballot measure that allows Democrats to implement congressional-friendly policies in the Golden State has passed, allowing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and big victory for his party Amid the country’s redistricting battle, according to Decision Desk headquarters.
Californian Voted to approve Proposition 50 On Tuesday, that allows the state to bypass its independent redistricting commission and pass a new Democratic-friendly House map before 2026, giving the party four or five pickup opportunities next year.
function receiveMessage(event) { if ([“https://e.ddhq.io”, “https://embeds.ddhq.io”].includes(event.origin) && event.data.id && event.data.height) document.getElementById(event.data.id).style.height = event.data.height + “px”; } window.addEventListener(“message”, receiveMessage, false);
The ballot measure states that the redistricting process will return to the independent commission after the 2030 U.S. Census.
voting before tuesdayhad indicatedThe ballot measure was widely expected to pass.
Newsom prepared for the special election after Texas Republicans passed a new GOP-friendly House map amid pressure from the White House and national Republicans.
The redistricting battle quickly became a national headline and both parties are eyeing states where they can quickly redraw their House maps before the 2026 midterms. California represents the first state where Democrats have been able to successfully redistrict in the midterms in response to the GOP.
The special election is a win for Newsom in particular. The governor took a gamble with Proposition 50, which was opposed by some notable people in the state, such as former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who vowed to campaign against it. Passage of the measure could raise Newsom’s national profile even more as he positions himself as the Democrats’ most prominent rival to President Trump, and as he eyes a possible run for the presidency in 2028.
The success of Proposition 50 could also be the swan song for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who helped pass it and is set to make an announcement about its future as soon as this week.
