Voters overwhelmingly approved new congressional maps in November, and it’s almost time to vote in those new districts.

The deadlines to run for Congress in California officially came to a close on Wednesday, March 11, and races that will determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections are starting to take shape.

Orange County, after redistricting, is split among eight congressional districts, up two from the 2024 elections.

One contest in particular, the race for California’s 40th Congressional District, has drawn national attention as redistricting pitted two Republican lawmakers, Reps. Ken Calvert and Young Kim, against each other in the same district. Several Democrats, representing varying wings of the party, have also filed to run, as has an independent candidate.

Just who is on the June 2 primary ballot is not yet set in stone. The California secretary of state is expected to post the certified list of candidates on March 26.

In the meantime, here’s a brief look at who filed to run in the eight congressional races in Orange County, and a look at the districts overall. Remember, the two top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election, regardless of political party.

CA-38

In California’s 38th Congressional District, five candidates filed to run. They are Republican Pedro Antonio Casas and Democrats Erik Lutz, Juan Rodriguez, Monica Sanchez and Hilda Solis.

While this district is mostly in Los Angeles County, it does swing down to include part of Brea and Yorba Linda.

According to the latest statistics from the secretary of state’s office, 44.95% of registered voters in this district are Democrats, while 24.55% are no party preference and 24.4% are Republicans.

CA-40

California’s 40th Congressional District sets up the Republican-on-Republican battle of incumbents with Calvert and Kim. But other contenders who have filed to run include Democrats Francis Xavier Hoffman, Claude Keissieh, Joe Kerr, Esther Kim Varet and Lisa Ramirez. Nina Linh, who is registered no party preference, is also vying for the seat.

The new 40th Congressional District spans parts of Orange and Riverside counties. It includes communities in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Villa Park.

Here, 40.15% of registered voters are Republicans, 31.11% are Democrats and 21.01% are no party preference.

CA-41

Democratic Rep. Linda Sánchez is seeking reelection to the House in a new California’s 41st Congressional District. Other people who filed include fellow Democrats Hector de la Torre, Gwendolyn Molina and Shonique Williams. Republican Mitch Clemmons also filed to run.

This is also a district that includes mostly communities in southern Los Angeles County, but it juts down to pick up La Habra, part of Brea, Los Alamitos and Rossmoor.

Here, 45.81% of registered voters are Democrats, 26.49% are Republicans and 20.69% are no party preference.

CA-42

Another new district for many Orange County voters is California’s 42nd Congressional District. Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democrat who represents Long Beach in a different district now, has filed to run, as have Republicans Brian Burley, Long Pham and Noah Von Blom. No party preference candidate Larisa Vermeulen also filed to run here.

This district spans the coast, from Long Beach down to Huntington Beach and picks up part of Newport Beach.

It is still considered to be a relatively blue district, as 40.56% of registered voters are Democrats, compared to 30.38% who are Republicans and 21.36% who are no party preference.

CA-45

Rep. Derek Tran, a Democrat, has filed to represent California’s 45th Congressional District again. So have Republicans Mark Leonard, Chi Charlie Nguyen, Amy Phan West, Chuong Vo and Tom Vo.

This district includes Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster, as well as a portion of Los Angeles County.

Registered Democrats account for 38.64% of voters in this district. Republicans, meanwhile, make up 30.62% of registered voters, and no party preference accounts for 24.98%.

CA-46

In California’s 46th Congressional District, Rep. Lou Correa, a Democrat, filed to run. So did a few other Democratic candidates: Frank Bahena, Christian Mendez and Armando Perez-Serrato. Republican David Pan also filed to run here.

This Orange County district includes Anaheim, Fullerton, Orange and Santa Ana.

The latest voter registration statistics show 45.73% of voters here are registered Democrats and 24.59% are Republicans. Another 23.6% are no party preference.

CA-47

California’s 47th Congressional District drew quite a few filers to run here, including incumbent Rep. Dave Min, a Democrat.

Also filing: Republicans Bill Brough, Christopher Gonzales, Michael Maxsenti and Jenny Rae Le Roux. Democrat Hunter Garcia Miranda also filed, as did Libertarian Derrick Michael Reid and no party preference contenders Jesus Patino and Eric Troutman.

The 47th Congressional District includes Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Tustin.

Here, 36.25% of registered voters are Democrats, 32.17% are Republicans and 25.28% are no party preference.

CA-49

Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat, filed to represent California’s 49th Congressional District again. Star Parker, a Republican, also filed to run, as did Republican Armen Kurdian and Julian Arellano, a Democrat.

This district spans San Diego and Orange counties and includes Ladera Ranch, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Here, 36.42% of registered voters are Democrats, 32.04% are Republicans and 23.78% are no party preference.