On Election Day in California, voters headed to the polls in a special election to decide whether to draw temporary congressional maps that could send more Democrats to Washington next year. The campaign to approve Proposition 50 attracted so many donations that its chief proponent, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, asked for people to stop sending money.
The initiative began in response to redistricting in Texas and other states aimed at giving Republicans more seats in the House of Representatives at the request of President Donald Trump.
On Nov. 3, Newsom posted a photo to X of himself voting that was captioned, “Our vote is in – now it’s your turn, California. LFG!”
Trump also responded to Tuesday’s vote on social media.
“The Unconstitutional Redistricting Vote in California is a GIANT SCAM in that the entire process, in particular the Voting itself, is RIGGED,” Trump wrote. He provided no proof of the rigging claim.
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Yes on 50
Preelection polls showed that Proposition 50 was expected to pass, and Straight Arrow News found strong support when talking to voters in heavily Democratic Los Angeles.
“I think it is heavily important, not only for me, but for our democracy,” Austin Warren, a Los Angeles resident, told SAN. “I think a lot is on the line. I think this is a serious wake-up call for everybody.”
“I think that the Democratic Party needs to start fighting back a little bit more,” Jenna Thomas, also of Los Angeles, told SAN. “We’ve seen that the Republican Party is willing to make changes and use the laws for their benefit, and it is affecting our country in a negative way. And I think that this is the pushback that we need to start doing in order to see some more effective change in this country.”
“I feel that our democracy is in danger in this country,” David Nahai, a Beverly Hills resident, told SAN. “I feel that what has happened in Texas is a travesty.”
Some saw it as a direct way to push back against Trump.
“I think that Trump is so horrible, such a danger, done so many awful things that I would do this,” Mike Sharp, a Los Angeles resident, said. “I know it’s temporary, too, just to help change the Congress and stop his march towards fascism.”
Some Los Angeles residents were hesitant, however.
“It’s not my favorite way to go about things,” Wyatt Hambrick said. “But I do think in some way, it will give the Democratic party a little more voting power.”
No on Prop 50
Republicans did not mount a large fight in pushing back against the measure.
SAN found at least one voter who planned to vote no.
“The problem we have is too much of the government control never really works out pretty good,” Mike Silva, a Beverly Hills resident, told SAN. “And I don’t like a lot of the laws that the current governor has passed.”
But Silva said he expects the measure will be passed.
“I unfortunately don’t believe my vote is going to have any difference one way or the other,” Silva said. “And it’s very sad for me to say that.”
Temporary redistricting
California has used an independent commission to draw the state’s districts for the past 15 years.
What Proposition 50 would do is establish temporary congressional district maps to be used in place of the commission’s maps through 2030. The proposition would also establish a policy to support nonpartisan redistricting commissions across the country, similar to what California has been doing for these past 15 years.
Those involved with planning said that the proposition was intended only as a tempoarary emergency measure. They expressed support for the commission and explained it would not be eliminated, and said that they hoped to return to that commission after 2030.
But others thought Proposition 50 didn’t go far enough.
“It depends on what the rest of the states do, but I’m in favor of keeping it the way it is,” Karen, a “Yes on 50” voter, told SAN. “I’m leaning in that direction.”
Others, though, were happy with how the measure was set up.
“I’m for going back to the commission,” Nahai said. “And I admire the way that this has been crafted.”
“I would rather it be temporary,” Sharp said. “The people should have the right to district.”
“I think that it’s okay for them to change,” Karen said. “I’d like to see the effect that this has first and then have the opportunity to make changes again.”
This story incorrectly stated that California Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement on X occurred on Nov. 4. Newsom’s statement actually occurred on Nov. 3. This article has been updated to reflect the correct information, and has also been revised for clarity and precision.
