California has recently approved a new proposition that could potentially shift the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives towards the Democrats.
Preliminary results from the vote on Tuesday, November 4, indicate that voters in California have decided to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries. This decision, resulting from Proposition 50, was passed by a two-to-one margin and introduces five additional congressional seats for the upcoming mid-term elections.
Should these additional seats be secured by Democratic candidates, the party could potentially gain control of the House in 2026.
Currently, Republicans hold the majority in the House with 219 seats, compared to the Democrats’ 213 seats.
A shift to a Democratic majority could complicate President Donald Trump’s ability to push through certain policy initiatives.
The newly approved measure will replace the map drawn by an independent commission, introducing a configuration that generally benefits Democrats in California.
This move was influenced by ongoing redistricting efforts nationwide, with Republicans altering boundaries in states like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, as reported by Al Jazeera.
California’s Mayor, Gavin Newsom, successfully campaigned to persuade voters to support the redrawing of the state’s congressional lines as a countermeasure.
Following the approval, Newsom took to social media to share a video with the message: “Tonight California sent a powerful message to Donald Trump.
“We will fight for our democracy. And we will win.”
Former President Barack Obama also endorsed the campaign, stating: “Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. You can stop Republicans in their tracks.”
Predictably, Trump responded swiftly to this development.
On Truth Social, he criticized the decision, labeling it a ‘giant scam’ and alleging that the move was under ‘legal and criminal review.’
“The Unconstitutional Redistricting Vote in California is a GIANT SCAM in that the entire process, in particular the Voting itself, is RIGGED,” he stated.
“All ‘Mail-In’ Ballots, where the Republicans in that State are ‘Shut Out,’ is under very serious legal and criminal review. STAY TUNED!”
This is not the first instance of Trump threatening legal action over the proposed boundary changes.
“I think I’m going to be filing a lawsuit pretty soon, and I think we’re going to be very successful,” Trump remarked to reporters in August.
“We’re going to be filing it through the Department of Justice, that’s going to happen.”
The redistricting lines established by Proposition 50 will remain active through the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
Following this period, redistricting responsibilities will revert to the citizens’ commission, according to NPR.