California voters approved Prop 50, a redistricting measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, according to unofficial election results reported by multiple media outlets on Nov. 4.
As of Wednesday morning, 63.8% of California voters approved Prop 50, according to the Secretary of State. In Alameda County, 79.9% of voters approved Prop 50. County turnout reached 30 percent, according to the Registrar of Voters.
Governor Newsom: Prop 50 is California’s response to Trump
“Tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared,” Governor Gavin Newsom said of the victory.
Prop 50 grants California’s Democratic-controlled state legislature authority to create new political boundaries for the congressional districts for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission, approved by voters in 2008, will resume drawing electoral districts in 2031.
Governor Newsom proposed redistricting in response to redistricting by Texas Republicans. Alleged gerrymander there would shift five House seats from Democrats to Republicans. Under Prop 50, Oakland and the East Bay will not see new maps. The 12th District, currently held by Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, the 12th District, will remain unchanged.
California’s Secretary of State has not certified Prop 50’s results. News outlets, including the Associated Press, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, Cal Matters, KQED, East Bay Times, and the Oaklandside report that Prop 50 won.
Democratic victories “coast to coast”
During his election night speech, Newsom said Prop 50 is a response to President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to “rig the midterm elections” in 2026. Newsom pointed to Trump deployment of federal troops to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and to Washington, D.C., and referenced the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Attack as examples of his plans to interfere with elections. “No crown, no thrones, no kings,” Newsom said.
Pointing to other electoral victories, Newsom said Democrats are a party “in its ascendancy,” and “on its toes, no longer its heels, from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea.”
In New York City, voters elected Zohran Mamdani as Mayor, making him the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first Millennial Mayor of New York City. At 34, the Ugandan-born Democratic Socialist is the second-youngest mayor in that city’s history.
Mayor Barbara Lee: ‘Democracy on the line’
Mayor Barbara Lee released a statement on Wednesday morning. The former congresswoman said Prop 50 sent a “powerful message.”
“We refuse to sit idle while this administration attempts to rig elections through partisan gerrymandering,” Lee said. “This measure levels the playing field temporarily and reaffirms our commitment to independent redistricting after 2030. With democracy on the line, California drew its own line in the sand.”
Editor’s Note: With support from the San Francisco Foundation, Oakland Voices is covering the consequences of the 2024 elections. This story was updated to include the statement from Oakland Mayor Lee.
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