After Texas signed a law to redraw its congressional districts in August, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with a bill of his own. Proposition 50, or the Election Rigging Response Act, would redraw many of California’s 52 congressional districts through 2030. It is the only item on the ballot for Californians this Election Day, Nov. 4.
“This proposal would give Californians the chance to fight back, and bring much-needed accountability and oversight to the Trump Administration,” said Newsom in a statement on Aug. 18.
In an attempt to replace five Democratic seats in the U.S. House of Representatives with Republicans, the Texas State House voted 88-52 to redistrict after President Donald Trump began pushing Texas lawmakers to redraw maps over the summer.
Other states that have passed new U.S. House maps include Missouri, North Carolina and Utah, with other Republican led states such as Indiana, Virginia, Louisiana, Ohio and Kansas taking steps towards congressional redistricting.
Prop 50’s supporters argue that passing this bill will level the playing field as Democrats could gain the five seats in the House that would be lost by Texas redistricting, and completely nullify Texas’s law.
Newsom has been very outspoken about how vital this bill is “for democracy in all 50 states.”
Prop 50 has rallied the support of many well-known Democratic politicians, including former President Barack Obama.
“Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years,” said Obama in a video released on Oct. 14.
Newsom, in a video posted on X, said that the campaign has reached its fundraising goals and raised $38 million from 1.2 million contributors across the U.S.
The main opponents of Prop 50 are California Republicans. Opponents say that 50 is a power grab by politicians like Newsom, and argue that it changes the Constitution and replaces the voter-approved non-partisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
They state that it will dismantle safeguards that keep election maps fair and will divide communities of color.
Opponents also argue that Prop 50 will cost California taxpayers close to $300 million to hold a special election, while the state faces a $20 billion deficit.
“Watch how totally dishonest the California Prop Vote is, Millions of ballots being ‘shipped,’” said Trump in a Truth Social post on Oct. 26.
All registered voters in Orange County have received their ballots by mail and can return them by mail or to any designated vote center or drop box in Orange County. Registered voters can also fill out a ballot at a polling place starting Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. The last day to vote or postmark a ballot is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls close at 8 p.m.
