Prop 50 upheld in federal court, dismissing GOP bid to block new district maps
A federal court Wednesday rejected legal challenges to Proposition 50, which California voters approved last November to proceed with newly drawn congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections, by upholding the legality of the measure.
In a 2-1 decision, the three-judge panel with the U.S. District Court of Central District California rejected the claim by California republicans, who argued that Prop 50 violated the Voting Rights Act by drawing maps to favor Hispanic voters.
The case could be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year upheld Texas’ redrawn maps.
Governor Gavin Newsom applauded the ruling, saying the initial lawsuit by the Republicans tried to “nullify” the map approved by voters.
“Republicans’ weak attempt to silence voters failed,” Newsom said in a statement. “California voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 50 – to respond to Trump’s rigging in Texas – and that is exactly what this court concluded.”
California Attorney general said his team successfully defended the ballot initiative in court on behalf of Gov. Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, saying he’s confident in the “legality of Proposition 50.”
“Today’s decision upholds the will of the people,” Bonta said. “It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed.”
NBC Los Angeles reached to the California Republican Party.
Last November, Proposition 50, known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” was overwhelmingly approved by voters as nearly 65% of Californians gave the state government the green light to temporarily override the independent redistricting commission and replace the congressional map with new lines.
Prop 50 aims to help Democrats gain five seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections as a response to Republican districting efforts in Texas and other stations.
