Get information about Prop 50 ahead of California's special election on November 4, 2025 from our shows including Your Call, Crosscurrents, and State of the Bay and our California newsroom partner CalMatters.
'Prop 50 In A Minute' by Jeanne Kuang, a reporter for CalMatters
In 2010, Californians passed a ballot measure mandating independent nonpartisan redistricting for congressional districts.
It was meant to cultivate fair, competitive elections and prevent gerrymandering. But now, Democrats want to temporarily redraw California's congressional maps.
Their reason? The Republican-led gerrymander in Texas, backed by President Donald Trump.
Hi, I'm Jeanne Kuang, a reporter for CalMatters, and this is Prop 50 In A Minute.
In a November 4th special election, Governor Gavin Newsom is asking California voters to consider Prop 50, which would require new Democrat-drawn district maps to be used in California's congressional elections through 2030.
Right now, Democrats hold 43 of California's 52 congressional seats. But the new maps would transform five Republican-controlled seats into districts that heavily favor Democrats.
If voters oust those incumbents, Newsom would effectively cancel out Trump's effort in Texas. The maps would also strengthen Democrats' hold on three other competitive California districts, making it harder for the GOP to flip them next year.
A yes vote would keep the state's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which would return to enacting congressional district maps after the 2030 census and every 10 years after.
Opponents have called the measure unconstitutional and argue that two gerrymanders don't make a right. While supporters say it's necessary to combat partisan redistricting in Texas.
So vote yes if you want to let Democrats use new maps in California's congressional elections through 2030. Vote no if you wanna keep things the way they are. To learn more about this special election ballot measure, visit calmatters.org.