Voters in eight California counties that supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election approved new congressional district boundaries Tuesday, marking a significant victory for Democrats in the state-by-state redistricting battle. The outcome is expected to influence control of the U.S. House in 2026.
Fresno (where Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris by a 4.38% margin), Merced (4.36%), Inyo (2.98%), San Bernardino (2.14%), Lake (1.37%), Riverside (1.26%), San Joaquin (0.89%), and Imperial (0.86%) all voted “yes” on Proposition 50, which passed statewide with nearly 65% support.
Trump criticized the measure’s passage, calling it an “Unconstitutional Redistricting Vote in California” and accusing the process of being “RIGGED.” He claimed “Mail-In” ballots had excluded Republicans and vowed legal action, writing, “STAY TUNED!”
The approval of Proposition 50 could enable Democrats to gain up to five additional seats, countering Texas Republicans’ efforts to redraw maps to secure five GOP seats at Trump’s urging. This development has intensified redistricting activity across the U.S., with Republican states appearing to hold an advantage. California remains a critical battleground for Democrats aiming to offset losses.
Midterm elections often favor the opposition party, and Trump is striving to maintain his party’s narrow House majority. Republicans currently hold 219 seats, while Democrats have 213.
The results represent a political triumph for California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who framed the measure as essential to resisting Trump and safeguarding democracy. Newsom highlighted a broader national rejection of Trump’s policies, noting Democratic governors’ successes in New Jersey and Virginia. However, he cautioned that more challenges lie ahead.
