California's Prop 50 redistricting effort passes
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California's Proposition 50 passed, according to the Associated Press, with voters agreeing to adopt a redrawn congressional map that favors Democrats.
Why it matters: The new congressional districts give Democrats the chance to flip several GOP seats as they fight for a majority in the U.S. House next year.
Driving the news: About 64% of votes were in favor of the proposal Wednesday morning as ballots continue to be counted, per AP.
- The ballot measure — one of the most expensive in state history — needed a simple majority to pass.
State of play: The new map aims to flip five of nine Republican-held seats, including in San Diego County.
- Redrawn lines would also favor leftward shifts in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, Orange County, northern Los Angeles County and Northern California.
The big picture: Gov. Gavin Newsom led the redistricting push in response to Texas Republicans' effort to gain seats with redrawn congressional maps.
- President Trump pushed the Texas redistricting in a bid to help the GOP gain more seats ahead of next year's midterm elections, sparking a wave of gerrymandering across a handful of states.
What they're saying: "We stood tall and we stood firm in response to Donald Trump's recklessness," Newsom said at a Tuesday briefing.
- "After poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election," he added.
- "We can de facto end Donald Trump's presidency as we know it," with the 2026 midterm elections."
Between the lines: With Newsom as its face, the success of Prop 50 could also be a boost to his national profile as he weighs a potential 2028 presidential bid.
Zoom in: With Republican-leaning areas of East County carved out of San Diego's 48th district, the seat held by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is up for grabs.
- Prop. 50 gives an "undeserved advantage to Democrats," but the "worst gerrymander in history has a fatal flaw. Voters get to pick their representatives. Not the other way around," Issa said in a statement Tuesday. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll continue to represent the people of California — regardless of their party or where they live."
- Local Democrats Marni von Wilpert and Ammar Campa-Najjar are among the candidates challenging him.
- Meanwhile, the 50th district seat, held by Democrat Scott Peters, will become more competitive, while districts 51 and 52, represented by Democrats Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas, respectively, remain safely blue.
What's next: The new congressional map, which passed the state Legislature in August, will be in place for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.
- The state's independent redistricting commission will redraw maps as planned after the 2030 U.S. Census.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.