Voting has already kicked off in California for Proposition 50, which aims to redraw the state’s congressional maps more heavily in favor of Democrats until new maps are created after the 2030 census.
The proposal is meant to counteract Republicans’ gain of five seats in Texas under a redistricting plan approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in August, following a hard-fought battle in the state legislature.
“Proposition 50 is a direct response to a Republican power grab orchestrated by President Trump and state leaders in Texas, who redrew Congressional district lines to gain five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives,” the California Democratic Party’s website states.
“Proposition 50 proposes new lines for many of California’s 52 congressional districts, which would negate the five Republican seats drawn by Texas. Under the proposed lines, Democrats could gain up to 5 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives,” the website adds, saying that a Democratic majority could “fight back” against President Donald Trump’s agenda.
But if the Texas maps somehow fall through in a court battle, California’s new map, favoring Democrats, would still exist, KCRA reported.
The ballot measure has the backing of California Governor Gavin Newsom and many statewide Democrats, but Republicans and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have voiced opposition to the proposition, as have the majority of district attorneys in the Golden State, according to The Tribune.
“If you believe gerrymandering is wrong, vote NO on 50,” Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) posted to X on Sunday. “If you believe politicians should be bound by the Constitution, vote NO on 50.”
Still, opponents of the measure face an uphill battle, as a recent co/efficient poll released at the start of October shows that 54% of those surveyed support Prop. 50, whereas 36% are opposed and 10% are unsure, Punchbowl News reported.
Both sides have been mobilizing on the issue, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking on X for people to volunteer for the effort, saying it would “help promote our vision of a more free, safer, and healthier California for all.” On Tuesday, former President Barack Obama released an ad saying, “California, the whole nation is counting on you.”
However, opponents are optimistic despite being significantly outspent, according to Politico, saying that once the meaning of the proposition’s technical language is explained, people typically oppose it.
On the California Secretary of State’s website, the proposition is tabled under the quick references guide as allowing “temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting.”
“Yes, with two caveats, turnout and voter contact,” Los Angeles County GOP Chair Roxanne Hoge told The Daily Wire when asked if the proposition can be defeated.
“If we didn’t have the crazy title in summary that they had, it would be like Prop 36, right. Overwhelming. But given the title and summary we have, it’s neck and neck,” she added. Proposition 36 was a crime crackdown measure that passed with nearly 70% of the vote in 2024 despite opposition from many notable Democrats.
Election Day is November 4 in California.
California is one of several states that has descended into a redistricting battle. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe approved an electoral map in September that could benefit Republicans with another congressional seat, but a referendum and legal challenges could jeopardize the plan, according to the Missouri Independent.
“I was proud to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law today ahead of the 2026 midterm election,” the Republican said at the time in a statement. “Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our values, across both sides of the aisle, are closer to each other than those of the congressional representation of states like New York, California, and Illinois. We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk.”
New York and other states have also mulled new maps, and the debate has put an additional strain on Ohio’s ongoing redistricting process.
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