The race for control of the US House of Representatives remains undecided as vote counting continues across the country. While Republicans have secured victories in the presidential and Senate races, the outcome in the House is still too close to call.

As of now, Republicans hold 211 seats, just seven shy of a majority, while Democrats hold 199. 25 seats are left to declare. The final tally could take several days or even longer to determine, potentially pushing the decision into next week or beyond.

The outcome of this election will have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington. If Republicans maintain their slim majority in the House, it would result in unified GOP governance, with control of both chambers of Congress, the White House, and a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that would allow them to push through much of their agenda.

Conversely, if Democrats manage to flip the House, it would provide a check on President-elect Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insists that the House “remains very much in play,” with potential pickup opportunities in Arizona, Oregon, Iowa, and California.

Why California is so important in the House

California has the largest congressional delegation in the country, with 52 Representatives. This significant number of seats means that even small shifts in California’s representation can have a substantial impact on the overall balance of power in the House.

Despite California’s reputation as a solidly Democratic state, it is home to several highly competitive congressional districts. Currently, there are 10 races in California rated as competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

As of writing, there are still 11 seats uncalled in the state. If the Democrats want to have any checks on Donald Trump’s incoming government, they will need to win the vast majority of these.