California voters have authorized Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional map, a move poised to reshape the political landscape and possibly bolster the party’s control in the House of Representatives.Proposition 50, approved by voters Tuesday, suspends the state’s autonomous redistricting commission for the current cycle, allowing the Democratic-controlled legislature to draw new district lines.
The decision reverses a decade-old reform aimed at curbing partisan gerrymandering and hands meaningful power to Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers of the California legislature. The new maps are expected to favor Democratic candidates, potentially impacting several Republican-held seats and influencing the balance of power in Congress. The changes will remain in effect thru the 2030 election, after which the independent commission will resume it’s redistricting duties.
The campaign against Proposition 50 was spearheaded by Charles Munger Jr., a Bay Area donor who initially funded the 2008 effort to establish the citizens redistricting commission. Munger contributed nearly $33 million to the No on 50 campaign, representing approximately three-quarters of the $44 million raised by opponents.
Despite Munger’s ample investment, financial support for opposing the measure waned in the final weeks as polls indicated a growing lead for Proposition 50. Even former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,who collaborated with Munger to create the independent commission,limited his public opposition to a few interviews and appearances.
The altered congressional map is anticipated to present difficult choices for several Republican incumbents. Representatives Ken Calvert,Darrell Issa,Kevin Kiley,and Doug LaMalfa will need to assess their chances of reelection in potentially unfavorable districts.
