California Congressional Races Test Shifted Districts

Voters in California cast ballots Tuesday in House races redrawn after Proposition 50, with several seats now leaning Democratic.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections

California Congressional Races Test Shifted Districts

Live Poll

Will Democrats win a majority of the contested California House races on November 3, 2026?

Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, as voters across California decide congressional races that could reshape the nation's congressional balance. Some contests may not be decided on Election Day as counties continue counting mail and other ballots.

Why it matters

Several House districts shifted from solid Republican seats to leaning or heavily favored Democratic seats after voters approved Proposition 50 last year. The outcomes could influence which party controls the U.S. House.

A recent USC Dornsife poll found McGuire leading Gallagher 54% to 40% in District 1, while Villegas leads Valadao 52% to 41% in District 22. Pollsters found District 48 too close to call, with neither candidate above 50%, and final results depend on ballots still being counted.

The players

Kevin Kiley

A California U.S. Representative who announced in March he would switch his voter registration from Republican to no party preference while running in the redrawn 6th District.

Darrell Issa

A longtime California Republican congressman who decided not to seek reelection after Proposition 50 was approved.

Adam Gray

The Democratic incumbent representing California's 13th District, which Republicans hope to flip in this election.

The details

Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and results are updated by county officials throughout Election Night as vote totals are counted. The newly drawn 6th District includes northern Sacramento County and southern Placer County, while Republicans hope to flip District 13 held by Democratic Rep. Adam Gray.

June 2026: Primary election held with vote totals for candidates in each district.
March 2026: Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he would switch his registration from Republican to no party preference.
November 3, 2026: Polls close at 8 p.m., and officials will finalize decisions after Election Day as ballots are counted.

Redistricting Test

These races are the first general election under district lines reshaped by Proposition 50, which moved several former safe Republican seats toward Democrats. The results will show whether the redrawn maps translate into the partisan shifts the measure was expected to produce.

Voters should expect that some races may not be decided on Election Day because counties continue counting mail and other ballots. Results are updated throughout the night, but final outcomes in close districts may take longer to confirm.

The takeaway

The redrawn districts create real competition in seats that were once considered safe, so close results in several races could signal how the new maps are performing. Watching late-counted ballots will be key to understanding the final picture.

What happens next

Officials will finalize decisions after Election Day as counties continue counting mail and other ballots, so some races may remain undecided for days.