California redistricting threatens Republican strongholds in rural areas

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 20:21 · Archive

California's new congressional district maps, drawn through a redistricting initiative, threaten to flip Republican-held seats to Democratic control.

California's newly redrawn congressional district maps threaten to reshape the state's representation in the US House of Representatives. The maps were approved by California voters as a redistricting initiative aimed at giving the Democratic Party at least five additional House seats. With Republicans currently holding a slim four-seat majority in the House, gains in California could significantly affect control of the chamber.

Rural Republicans in California's far northeastern corner, which was previously a reliably red congressional district, say the redistricting has left them without a voice. Proposition 50 carved up the district in ways that may result in Democratic representation for voters who have traditionally supported Republican candidates.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, first proposed the redistricting effort in response to seven Republican-led states redrawing their maps to secure Republican seats. Although California had previously banned partisan redistricting, Newsom presented the measure as a necessary retaliatory step. The new maps will be in effect for the upcoming midterm elections, which are widely seen as a referendum on political representation across the country's most populous state.

How it is being reported

• What to know about California’s midterm electionsRedistricting in California, the most populous US state, could flip control of US House from Republican to Democrat.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 19:38
• Some rural Republicans in California say redistricting has left them without a voiceCalifornia's far northeastern corner used to be a reliably red congressional district. But Proposition 50 carved it up, meaning many voters there may soon have a Democrat representing them in D.C.NPR · 29 Oct, 20:19

In this story: California · Gavin Newsom · Democratic Party · Republican Party

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