CA Adopts Proposition 50 Despite Regional Pushback

CALIFORNIA — Voters in California approved Proposition 50 in Tuesday’s special election, which redraws congressional districts for the 2026 midterm elections with the goal of benefiting Democrats. At the time of publishing, 5,388,123 Yes votes and 3,064,045 No votes have been recorded (64% Yes). Although ballots are still being counted, the race had already been called by most major news outlets minutes after polls closed on Tuesday.

In Sierra and surrounding counties, Proposition 50 was largely rejected by voters, except in Nevada County. Votes counted in Sierra County so far are 505 Yes and 912 No (64% against). In Plumas County, voters cast 3,173 Yes and 5,176 No ballots (62% against). Lassen County has recorded 1,446 Yes and 5,803 No votes (80% against). Yuba County has 5,379 Yes and 8,630 No votes (62% against). Nevada County, however, has recorded 18,250 Yes and 15,508 No votes (54% for).

Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, Yuba, and Nevada counties have counted 64,782 ballots as of the time of publication. Of those, 28,753 were Yes votes and 36,029 were No votes. Overall, 56% of regional voters opposed Proposition 50, despite the heavy influence of Nevada County due to its population.

Regionally, the new maps will place Sierra, Plumas, and Lassen counties within District 1, which Doug LaMalfa currently represents. The district would now stretch toward the coast, incorporating Democratic stronghold cities like Santa Rosa. Yuba County, which is currently split between Districts 1 and 3, will now be part of District 4, which stretches to the Bay Area and includes the city of Napa. Nevada and Placer counties will be grouped into District 3, which encompasses a relatively small area, including part of Sacramento.