California voters approve new US House map to boost Democrats in 2026

California governor Gavin Newsom stands with first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom as he speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office in Sacramento, California (Godofredo A Vasquez/AP)

California voters have approved new congressional district boundaries, delivering a victory for Democrats in the state-by-state redistricting battle that will help determine which party wins control of the US House of Representatives in 2026.

The approval of Proposition 50 gives Democrats a shot at winning as many as five additional seats, just enough to blunt Texas Republicans’ move to redraw their own maps to pick up five Republican Party seats at President Donald Trump’s urging.