California voters overwhelmingly approve Prop 50

REGION — A new set of congressional district lines is in effect in California following the overwhelming passage of Proposition 50 in what Rep. Darrell Issa called “the worst gerrymander in history.”

What supporters dubbed “The Election Rigging Response Act,” leads 63.8%-36.2% with all election night precincts partially reporting, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who conceived of what would become Proposition 50 after Texas adopted a mid-decade redistricting plan favorable to Republicans, on Tuesday night called its passage, “not just a victory tonight for the Democratic Party, it was a victory for the United States of America, for the people of this country and the principles that our Founding Fathers lived and died for.”

Issa (R-Bonsall), who unsuccessfully sued to block the new congressional maps from being implemented, said in a statement, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to represent the people of California – regardless of their party or where they live.”

The 48th Congressional District that Issa represents would lose parts of San Diego County and add more of Riverside County.

Supporters called Proposition 50 a way to check President Donald Trump and increase Democrats’ chances of regaining control of the House of Representatives.

“Californians made their voices heard – we will not let Donald Trump and his allies rig our democracy or silence our votes,” San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, a Democrat challenging Issa, said in a statement issued Tuesday night.

“Proposition 50 protects our voice at the ballot box and gives us a real chance to take our country back, starting right here in Southern California.”

Proposition 50 establishes new congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections that will also be used for the 2028 and 2030 elections. An analysis by the election news website Ballotpedia said it would shift five Republican-held congressional districts toward Democrats.

Democrats hold a 43-9 advantage in the state’s House delegation.

The measure came in response to an effort in Texas for a mid-decade congressional redistricting that analysts said would give Republicans five additional seats.

Other Republican-controlled states, such as Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nebraska, and South Carolina, are also considering efforts to approve mid-decade redistricting.

Backers of the measure say it “draws fair maps that represent California’s diverse communities and ensure our voices aren’t silenced by Republican gerrymandering in other states.”

Opponents say Proposition 50 is a “threat to democracy and fair elections in California,” according to the campaign against the measure.

The California Republican Party has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Proposition 50, arguing that the measure improperly used voters’ race as a factor in drawing new district boundaries.

In the weeks leading up to election night, some local councils and boards weighed in on Prop 50 prior to the vote.

While an Escondido City Council majority passed a resolution opposing Prop 50 in September, the Oceanside Unified School District School Board unanimously voted in favor of the measure last month.

Voter turnout was strong for the single-issue special election night – estimated to be around 35% as of early Wednesday morning.

According to fairvote.org, voter turnout hovers around 60% during presidential elections, which happened last year, and 40% in midterm elections years, which is next year.

Some voters waited nearly two hours to vote at the Park Avenue Community Center in Escondido on Tuesday night as the line partially wrapped around the building. Poll workers offered snacks, pizza and water as voters stood in line.

In some locations, voters continued to wait in line even after the election was called.

Samantha Nelson contributed to this report.