A panel of federal judges upheld California’s voter-approved redistricting plans that will temporarily redraw districts to favor Democratic districts. 

The measure, known as Proposition 50, was introduced in mid-2025 as a response to a  redistricting effort in Texas that favored Republicans. 

This decision comes two months after a federal three-judge panel ruled to deny Texas’ new congressional map, citing issues with racial gerrymandering. 

READ MORE: Proposition 50 remains in effect following federal Texas map ruling

“Can’t spell Republican without an L,” the Governor’s Press Office posted on X. 

This ruling followed a three-day hearing in December where expert and fact witnesses, including those from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and represented by Democracy Defenders Action, testified in defense of the legislation, according to a press release from the Democracy Defenders Action. 

The court declined to accept claims that the new maps were drawn based on race, meaning the prosecution failed to meet the constitutional bar required to block enacting the redistricting plans. 

The Democracy Defenders Action wrote the court looked at voter intent and found overwhelming evidence indicating Proposition 50 was a partisan gerrymander, indicating “intent is paramount.” 

As a result of the ruling, California will proceed with implementing the redistricted maps for the 2026 election cycle. 

“The court recognized what has been clear all along: Proposition 50 reflects a political decision, not an unlawful racial gerrymander,” said Tianna Mays, legal director of Democracy Defenders Action, in a press release from Democracy Defenders Action. “That distinction matters, and today’s ruling reaffirmed it.”

Inside the lawsuit

The day after Californians voted to pass Proposition 50, a group of California voters led by California Assemblymember David Tangipa filed a lawsuit on Nov. 5 against the congressional map adopted by the California legislature that plaintiffs allege is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

United States Attorney General Pam Bondi certified the case as one of public importance and intervened on Nov. 13, according to court documents.

The Department wrote, “Substantial evidence, including that in the legislative record and public statements, indicate that the legislature created a new map in which Latino demographics and racial considerations predominated, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause.”

Gov. Newsom posted “FAFO,” on his X account in response to the ruling. “FAFO” is a reference to the slogan commonly used by right-wing politicians which stands for “f– around, find out” according to Merriam Webster. It is widely used across the political spectrum which references someone receiving consequences for their actions.

Archana Pisupati is the 2025-26 Editor-in-Chief for Mustang Media Group conducting news production for Cal Poly and the San Luis Obispo area. She joined Mustang News as a news reporter her freshman year,...