On Tuesday, California voters decisively passed Proposition 50, setting the stage for the state to redraw its congressional districts. This move could significantly enhance the chances of Democrats regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections. Despite the presence of election monitors from the U.S. Department of Justice in five California counties, the voting process across the state was largely smooth, with only a few reports of long lines at certain voting centers and college campuses due to the unusually high voter turnout.
By Election Day, over 7.2 million votes had already been submitted, reflecting a significant level of engagement from California's electorate. The state and local leaders responded to the Justice Department's monitoring by deploying their own election monitors, ensuring transparency and trust in the process. This heightened interest in the special election was a key factor, leading to some delays but overall, the voting experience remained positive.
The gerrymandering measure represented a calculated risk for Governor Gavin Newsom, who initially proposed the idea last summer as a strategic counter to Texas Republicans and their own mid-cycle redistricting initiatives. Proponents of Proposition 50 invested over $120 million into a committee supporting the measure, while opponents managed to raise $44 million. Additionally, groups not directly affiliated with any Prop. 50 campaign contributed at least $26 million to influence voter perceptions.
In a press conference following the results, Newsom expressed pride in the unprecedented organization and mobilization around Proposition 50, stating, “We organized in an unprecedented way, in a 90-day sprint... And tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout.” He also encouraged Democratic leaders in other states, such as Virginia and Maryland, to pursue similar redistricting efforts.
The passage of Proposition 50 poses significant challenges for five Republican congressmembers, according to reports from CalMatters writers Jeanne Kuang and Maya C. Miller. For instance, U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley’s district, which currently includes the Sacramento suburbs, is set to change to incorporate more Democratic voters from the city. Kiley opposed Proposition 50 but is committed to running for re-election in the newly drawn district.
Former President Donald Trump has criticized Proposition 50, labeling it as unconstitutional and a “giant scam.” He has voiced unproven claims of widespread voter fraud and has promised a thorough “legal and criminal review” of California’s mail-in ballot results. The Justice Department is scheduled to continue monitoring the election proceedings in California until Thursday.
In addition to Proposition 50, a new law signed by Governor Newsom aims to strengthen online user data protection. Assembly Bill 566, which was enacted in October, mandates that web browser companies like Google and Microsoft must provide users with an opt-out “signal” by 2027. This signal will automatically prevent websites from sharing or selling users’ personal information while they browse the internet.
This pioneering law, backed by the California Privacy Protection Agency, has faced pushback from tech giants, although Google has not publicly opposed the legislation. Experts believe that it may be easier for companies to implement this service nationwide rather than just in California, potentially resulting in broader protections for users across the United States. Emory Roane, associate director of policy at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, stated, “It’s really not that difficult technically... We expect it to have a national impact.”
In other news, former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac disease. Cheney's political career included serving as a congressmember from Wyoming and as U.S. Secretary of Defense before his vice presidency under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. His contributions to public service were recognized by California Assembly Republicans, who acknowledged his commitment to the nation.
Condolences poured in from Democratic officials, including Governor Newsom and California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, who remarked that Cheney's later years were a testament to the importance of speaking out against threats to democracy. Cheney was a polarizing figure, often viewed as a key architect of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, conflicts that are estimated to have claimed at least 4.5 million lives.
Post-vice presidency, Cheney became a vocal critic of Trump and even endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, asserting that Trump could “never be trusted with power again.” As of Tuesday evening, Trump had not issued a public statement regarding Cheney's passing, though the White House ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his memory.