California Votes on Prop 50 Redraws Through 2030

California voters are deciding Proposition 50, a Gov. Gavin Newsom–backed measure that would temporarily suspend the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and allow the Legislature to adopt new congressional maps through 2030 (applying to the 2026, 2028 and 2030 cycles). Supporters, including Newsom and senior Democrats, say the change would counter Republican mid‑decade gerrymanders (citing Texas) and could flip as many as five U.S. House seats. Opponents call Prop 50 a partisan power grab that would undermine the commission and produce extreme gerrymanders that threaten fair representation, particularly for rural areas. Polls showed majority support—roughly 56–60% in recent likely‑voter surveys—and more than 5.9–6 million ballots had been returned ahead of Election Day. Analysts note the temporary maps would sharply redraw districts—for example pairing rural Modoc County with Marin, reshaping San Diego–Riverside contests—and could directly target incumbents such as Reps. Ken Calvert and Kevin Kiley. The vote carries national implications for control of the narrowly divided U.S. House and is being viewed as a consequential political test of Newsom’s leadership and ambitions.