The morning after California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a state Assemblymember from Clovis filed a federal lawsuit, alleging constitutional violations.

California voters approved the measure amending the state constitution to allow redrawing congressional maps six years ahead of schedule. As of Wednesday morning, Prop. 50 was passing with 64% of the vote.

The lawsuit alleges the newly drawn congressional lines use race as a factor, violating the 14th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which protect due process, equal protection, and voting rights related to race.

“The map is designed to favor one race of California voters over others,” attorney Mike Columbo said at a Wednesday news conference. He said the maps were racially gerrymandered to favor Latino voters.

Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Clovis, is the lead plaintiff.

“These maps are completely diminishing the voices of some groups to benefit others. The state Legislature has weaponized this entire process and lied to California voters,” Tangipa said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee is funding the lawsuit, attorneys said.

Related Story: What Would Clovis and Fresno Look Like Under Proposition 50 Maps?

Dhillon Group Leading the Lawsuit

San Francisco-based Dhillon Law Group will represent Tangipa and 19 other plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles.

Harmeet Dhillon, the firm’s founder, leads the Trump administration’s civil rights unit at the Department of Justice. She is no longer listed with the firm.

Two other plaintiffs are from the Central Valley: Solomon Verduzco of Fresno County and Vernon Costa of Kings County.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber are the named defendants.

“We haven’t reviewed the lawsuit, but if it’s from the California Republican Party and Harmeet Dhillon’s law firm, it’s going to fail. Good luck, losers,” Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards told GV Wire.

Weber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month heard a similar case involving race in drawing district lines in Louisiana. It has not yet issued a ruling. Attorneys say there are technical differences with Proposition 50, and that case may be decided sooner.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said they will seek an injunction from a three-judge panel. They expect the losing side to appeal to higher courts and a quick adjudication. Candidates may start collecting signatures to appear on the June 2, 2026 primary on Dec. 11.

The Dhillon Law Group, Assemblyman David Tangipa, 18 California Voters, and the California Republican Party File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Prop 50 https://t.co/ZEi5R2OXSc

— California Republican Party (@CAGOP) November 5, 2025

Results Closer in the Central Valley

While Prop. 50 easily passed statewide, it was much closer in Central Valley counties.

As of Tuesday night, results show only one county in the region passing the measure — Fresno.

In Fresno County, the measure was passing 50.1% to 49.9% — a margin of 154 votes — as of 10:53 p.m. Tuesday. The Fresno County clerk estimates nearly 70,000 ballots remain to be counted. The next update is expected Thursday.

Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in Fresno County, 37% to 33%.

In the five other Central Valley counties, Prop. 50 failed by wide margins.

Other Central Valley county results:

Kings County: 60% to 40% against

Madera County: 56% to 44% against

Tulare County: 58% to 42% against

Kern County: 57% to 43% against

Mariposa County: 61% to 39% against

Most of the rural northern and mountain counties joined the Central Valley in voting no. Overall, 32 of 58 counties voted in favor.

Related Story: Here’s How Newsom’s Maps Are Already Changing California’s Congressional ...

Prop. 50 Reaction

Proposition 50 divided voters largely along party lines — Democrats and liberals supported it, while Republicans and conservatives opposed it.

“Yesterday California sent a message to Donald Trump: No crowns, no thrones, no kings,” Newsom said in an email to supporters. “So today, I am proud. But I am very mindful of the state of things in this country. Donald Trump does not believe in free and fair elections — period, full stop.”

Opponents lamented the loss.

“For what looms for the people of California, I am saddened by the passage of Proposition 50. But I am content in this, at least: that our campaign educated the people of California so they could make an informed — if, in my view, unwise — decision,” said Charles Munger Jr., a leading advocate for the opposition campaign.