The 3rd district once extended up the Sacramento Valley from Sacramento to take in rural territory up to Tehama County. Once a Democratic bastion, the district was pushed into more rural and Republican-leaning territory after the 1990 census, and finally elected a Republican in 1998. The 2001 reapportionment made the district more compact and Republican than its predecessor, though it was far less Republican than the neighboring 4th district. Although there was some movement in registration in favor of the Democrats, it still had a strong GOP flavor as most of the Sacramento area's Democratic voters lived in the neighboring 5th district.
While George W. Bush carried the district in 2004 with 58.2% of the vote, the district swung rapidly in the Democratic column in 2008 with Barack Obama narrowly winning a plurality with 49.28% of the vote over John McCain's 48.81%. However, despite Obama's win, in the congressional election held on the same day the Republicans retained the seat.
After redistricting, this district essentially became the 7th district, while a new 3rd was created with lines similar to what the old 3rd had in the 1990s. This version of the 3rd was considered a swing district, though the bulk of its population lives in Democratic-leaning areas in the outer Bay Area and in the closer-in suburbs of Sacramento.
Election results from statewide races before 2012
Composition as of 2023
As of the 2020 redistricting, California's 3rd congressional district is located in the Sierra Nevada region. It encompasses Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, and Sierra Counties, as well as parts of El Dorado, Sacramento, and Yuba Counties.
El Dorado County is split between this district and the 5th district. They are partitioned by Scott Creek, Perry Creek, Perry Creek Rd, Rocky Bar Rd, Grizzly Flat Rd, Happy Valley Rd, Canon Creek, E16 Highway, Pleasant Valley Rd, Cedar Ravine Rd, Woodland Dr, Weber Creek, Highway 50, Chili Bar Reservoir, South Fork American River, Marshall Rd, Hastings Creek, Highway 49, Pilot Creek, North Fork American River, and the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The 3rd district takes in the city of South Lake Tahoe and the census-designated place of Pollock Pines.
Sacramento County is split between this district and both the 6th district and 7th district. The 6th and 3rd districts are partitioned by Latrobe Rd, Scott Rd, Deer Creek, Carson Creek, Nimbus Rd, E3 Highway, Illinois Ave, Madison Ave, Kenneth Ave, Wachtel Way, and Old Auburn Rd. The 3rd district takes in the city of Folsom and the census-designated place of Orangevale.
Yuba County is split between this district and the 1st district. They are partitioned by State Highway 70, Ellis Rd, and Union Pacific. The 3rd district takes in the city of Wheatland, and the census-designated places of Linda, Olivehurst, and Plumas Lake.
.tif/lossless-page1-1280px-California_US_Congressional_District_3_(since_2013).tif.png)
