COLUSA, CA (MPG) — California voters approved Proposition 50 on Tuesday, clearing the way for new congressional maps favored by Democrats. Statewide, 64.1% voted yes and 35.9% voted no, while Colusa County voted 63.94% no and 36.06% yes.
Colusa County turnout as of Monday, Nov. 9, was 49.40%, with 5,427 ballots returned out of 10,986 registered voters. Party registration includes 466 American Independents, 3,310 Democratic, 34 Green, 123 Libertarian, 2,462 No Party Preference, 74 Peace and Freedom, and 4,521 Republican voters.
U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa criticized the result and said litigation is imminent.
“I’m disappointed in tonight’s results. Our constitution lost out to a pile of money and shameful deception, in one of the most blatant power grabs I’ve ever seen,” LaMalfa said. “Those of us who support fair maps will continue to oppose Newsom’s scheme, and we expect to file suit on Wednesday.”
LaMalfa said he feels longtime constituents have been “kidnapped” from him.
“We’ve poured our hearts into the district,” he said, adding that residents worry “Bay Area-type priorities” will be imposed on rural communities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed the vote. “And tonight, after poking the bear… This bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result,” he said. “No crowns, no thrones, no kings. That’s what this victory represents.”
Republican campaign committees downplayed the effect on control of the House. NRCC Chair Richard Hudson said Democrats “can’t redraw their record of failure,” adding that Republicans still see opportunities to flip seats under the new map. Rep. Kevin Kiley, whose seat was targeted under Prop. 50, said he would continue to fight gerrymandering, noting the measure “brings back gerrymandering in California” while endorsing independent redistricting nationally.
Under the Prop. 50 map, Colusa County would shift to the new District 4, along with Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Napa, parts of Sonoma, Lake, and portions of Sacramento and Placer counties. Butte County would move to the new District 1 with Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Tehama, Glenn, and parts of Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties.
Since 2022, Colusa, Butte, Sutter, Glenn, and most of Yuba have been part of Congressional District 1, represented by LaMalfa, alongside Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama.
Regional results varied. As of election night, Butte County turnout was 53.86% with 54.37% NO and 45.63% YES; Sutter County turnout was 40.02% with 62.73% NO and 37.27% YES; Yuba County turnout was 29.10% with 60.81% NO and 39.19% YES; and Glenn County turnout was 36.56% with 71.37% NO and 28.63% YES.
Legal challenges are expected, and counties will await certification and any court rulings before implementation. If the results stand, the new lines will govern House elections through 2030.
Assemblyman James Gallagher visited the Shasta County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 6, to promote a proposal to divide California into two states, separating coastal counties from inland counties.
“It’s not just Northern California that feels overlooked and ignored,” Gallagher told the board.
He argued Prop. 50 “ripped away our representation in Congress” and warned that “three Bay Area people will represent the entirety of Northern California.”
After public comment that included both support and criticism, the board voted 3-2 to direct staff to draft a resolution backing Gallagher’s plan.
Any move to split a state requires approval by the Legislature and governor to cede territory, then an act of Congress admitting the new state.