Topline
On Tuesday night, Californians voted to implement a new congressional map introducing five districts that lean Democratic. This marks the party’s initial strategic move to counteract Republican gerrymandering in various states as next year’s midterm elections approach.
The initiative, labeled Proposition 50, garnered approval with 64.7% of voters supporting it at 12:15 a.m. ET, with 65% of the votes tallied.
The Associated Press quickly declared the outcome just after the polls closed at 11 p.m. ET.
State legislators in California sought voter endorsement for the redrawn map, which adds five Democrat-favored districts. This move responds to Republican-led redistricting nationwide, which might tilt the next midterm elections in their favor.
Prominent Democratic supporters like George Soros and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings backed the campaign for Proposition 50. On the other side, Republican donor Charles Munger Jr. funded efforts to oppose the measure.
Currently, Democrats hold 43 out of California’s 52 congressional districts.
Big Number
43. That’s how many California congressional districts are held by Democrats, of 52 total.
Key Backgron
California became the first state to attempt a formal effort to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts pushed by President Donald Trump and his allies in other states. Texas Republicans approved a new map earlier this year that added five likely Republican seats, while North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri also retooled their maps to add additional GOP-leaning districts. In total, the four states added nine new likely GOP seats.
What To Watch For
Utah lawmakers approved a new congressional map pursuant to court order that would add one likely Democratic seat. Discussions are also underway in Illinois and Virginia to add new Democratic seats.
