California could play a decisive role in determining control of the US House of Representatives when voters cast ballots in the November 3 midterm elections. Republicans hold a four-seat majority, and Democrats are targeting gains in the country’s most populous state. The elections are widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term, while California’s contests will also test newly drawn congressional boundaries.
The maps stem from Proposition 50, which voters approved in 2025, temporarily suspending California’s nonpartisan redistricting commission until 2030. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom proposed the change after seven Republican-led states redrew their districts to seek more Republican seats. Although California had prohibited partisan redistricting, Newsom presented the move as a necessary response. The initiative seeks to deliver at least five additional House seats for Democrats by making Republican strongholds more competitive.
California has 52 House seats, more than any other state, with Republicans holding eight. Among the closest contests is the Central Valley’s 22nd district, where Republican incumbent David Valadao faces Democrat Randy Villegas. Valadao has presented himself as a moderate. Villegas has challenged him over living costs, healthcare and Trump’s immigration enforcement, an issue particularly relevant to the agricultural area’s immigrant farm-working communities.
In the 48th district, which includes parts of San Diego County near Mexico, redistricting has also increased competition. Longtime Republican Representative Darrell Issa opted to retire after the boundary changes. Republican Jim Desmond and Democratic San Diego Councilmember Marni von Wilpert are competing to succeed him. Elsewhere, the new maps placed Republican Representatives Ken Calvert and Young Kim in the same district, producing a bitter contest between them.
The governor’s race pits Republican political commentator Steve Hilton against Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general who served as health and human services secretary under President Joe Biden. Hilton has criticised Becerra over rising crime, homelessness and high petrol prices. Becerra has sought to link Hilton to Trump, who is deeply unpopular in California. A recent Emerson poll put Becerra ahead by 27 points.
Voters will also decide Proposition 40, a proposed one-time billionaire tax to support healthcare and education. CalMatters reports that it would cover about 200 of California’s wealthiest residents. According to KQED, opponents, including powerful industries and technology figures, have put more than $152 million into defeating the measure, compared with $33 million raised by supporters. Google cofounder Sergey Brin has contributed more than $102 million against it.
The tax has divided political allies. The Democratic Party supports Proposition 40, but Newsom, Becerra and some progressive groups oppose it, as does Hilton. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and California Representative Ro Khanna support the proposal. Two accompanying measures, Propositions 41 and 42, would effectively cancel Proposition 40 if voters approve them.
Another contested proposal, Proposition 39, would require government-issued identification to vote. Supporters argue that the requirement would strengthen confidence in elections by addressing fraud, although studies have found fraudulent voting to be nearly nonexistent in the United States. Opponents say such rules create barriers for citizens without documents such as driving licences and argue that existing safeguards already restrict voting to eligible people.
Polling places in California will open at 7am and close at 8pm on Tuesday, November 3. Ballots submitted by mail must carry a postmark dated no later than election day.
