California voters have authorized a poll measure to redraw the state’s congressional map, probably giving Democrats 5 extra seats within the 2026 midterms.
The Associated Press referred to as the race at 8 p.m., simply as polls closed.
The vote is available in response to the same transfer from Texas, the place Republican leaders redrew their maps this summer season to eradicate as much as 5 Democratic seats.
Gov. Gavin Newsom billed the measure as a solution to “combat hearth with hearth” by stopping Republicans from rigging the 2026 midterms. The vote marks a major win for Newsom, who offered the measure to voters as a solution to cease President Trump’s agenda.
“We’re finished being handled like this,” Newsom mentioned at a rally over the weekend. “What that is all about is Democrats getting again on our toes — not on our heels. Getting our mojo again.”
Republicans at the moment maintain a six-vote majority in Congress. In California’s 52 seats, Democrats maintain a 43-9 benefit — however that might develop to 48-4 below the brand new maps, probably serving to Democrats win management of Congress.
Success was not a foreordained when Newsom proposed the brand new maps this summer season, which, in contrast to in Texas, required voter approval to vary the California structure.
California voters had beforehand created an unbiased redistricting fee to attract traces in a non-partisan style — a key ingredient of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy in workplace. In polls earlier than the marketing campaign, voters have been usually supportive of the fee.
However an advert marketing campaign, together with huge endorsements from Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, despatched a message to Democratic voters that the proposition would supply a golden alternative to combat again towards Trump.
The profitable marketing campaign burnishes Newsom’s credentials as a fighter as he’s anticipated to launch a marketing campaign for president in 2028.
The redistricting battle might not be over but. Different states have thought-about countering California’s transfer, together with Indiana, Ohio and Florida.
