California voters are casting ballots to decide whether state lawmakers should be allowed to temporarily redraw congressional district maps to counter Republican efforts in Texas to gain seats in the U.S. House.
Proposition 50 would override the state’s independent redistricting commission and implement a new congressional map that was approved by the state legislature in August. The new map would remain in effect for the next three election cycles. Then, after the 2030 census, the redistricting commission would resume drawing district maps. Track live Prop 50 election results here:
CALIFORNIA PROP 5 ELECTION RESULTS BY COUNTY
If Prop 50 passes, Democrats could control as many as 48 of California’s 52 U.S. House seats, up from the 43 seats the party currently holds.
The measure has the backing of state Democrats, who argue that President Trump’s efforts to redraw districts in red states will expand Republican control of the House and allow him to carry out his policy agenda with little difficulty. California Republicans, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, contend that Democrats are using Texas as a pretext to seize more power and circumvent voters, who approved independent redistricting in 2008.
The current balance of power in the House is 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats with 3 vacancies.
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