California voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, the statewide congressional redistricting proposal, in a landslide victory for supporters of the ballot measure that will set the stage for a competitive midterm election in 2026.
The measure led 64.5% to 35.5% with 65% of precincts reporting as of late Tuesday night, based on results by the Secretary of State’s Office.
In San Diego County, Prop 50 had strong support, with 60.8% voting yes and 39.2% voting no – a tally of 458,505 to 295,594 – according to unofficial election results from the the Registrar of Voters.
Tuesday’s results mark a political victory for Governor Gavin Newsom, who cast the measure as an essential tool to fight back against President Donald Trump and protect American democracy.
Newsom called on other states to follow California’s lead and confront the challenges facing the nation ahead of the midterms.
“We can de facto end Donald Trump’s presidency as we know it the minute Speaker Jeffries gets sworn in as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Newsom said in a statement after results came in. “It is all on the line, a bright line in 2026.”
The approval of Proposition 50 gives Democrats a shot at winning as many as five additional seats, just enough to offset Texas Republicans’ move to redraw their own maps to pick up five GOP seats at Trump’s urging. Texas’ move and California’s response have kicked off a flurry of redistricting efforts around the country, with Republican states appearing to have an edge. Deeply blue California is Democrats’ best opportunity to make up seats.
Midterm elections typically punish the party in the White House, and Trump is fighting to maintain his party’s slim House majority. Republicans hold 219 seats to Democrats’ 213.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria praised the election results on X, framing the vote as a rebuke to federal dysfunction.
“California has spoken. We’ve taken decisive action to protect our democracy and resist efforts to rig our national election. Our message is clear: we’re tired of chaos in Washington and want a federal government that works for the people, not a president.”
San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, a Democrat challenging Rep. Darrell Issa in the 48th Congressional District, said in a statement issued Tuesday night, “Californians made their voices heard: we will not let Donald Trump and his allies rig our democracy or silence our votes. Proposition 50 protects our voice at the ballot box and gives us a real chance to take our country back, starting right here in Southern California.”
Issa, R-Bonsall, called Proposition 50 “the worst gerrymander in history.”
Issa, who unsuccessfully sued to try and block the new congressional maps from being implemented, said in a statement, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to represent the people of California — regardless of their party or where they live.”
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, criticized the measure’s passage on X, calling on constituents to join him for a strategy session.
“Prop 50 passes..Democrat voters are ok rigging elections to silence voters they don’t like. What happens next in our fight? Join me on zoom Wednesday at NOON to find out.”
Jessica Millan Paterson, chair of No on Prop 50, conceded defeat and said opponents had fought hard against what she characterized as a power grab.
“While tonight’s results are disappointing, we left everything on the field fighting to stop Gavin Newsom and Sacramento politicians’ partisan power grab,” Patterson said in a statement.
MoveOn Executive Director Katie Bethell celebrated the measure’s passage as a victory against what the organization described as Republican efforts to manipulate congressional districts.
“MoveOn members and Californians resoundingly rejected the Trump administration’s attempts to cheat their way into victory in 2026,” Bethell said.
Meanwhile in Poway, early results from the registrar showed voters favoring the recall of City Councilman Tony Blain, who is facing felony charges, with just over 80% of around 4,700 ballots counted supporting his removal.
A U.S. Army Reserve doctor elected last year, Blain has been accused of vote trading, threatening recalls against colleagues and attempting to use law enforcement to silence critics.
His District 2 seat represents a substantial portion of eastern Poway, including Bridlewood Country Estates, The Farm and Summerfield, as well as popular recreation sites Iron Mountain and Lake Poway.
Updated at 10:41 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
City News Service and Associated Press contributed to this report.
