Proposition 50: Redistricting

Proponents, including Governor Newsom and many Democratic leaders, claim Proposition 50, also known as  "The Election Rigging Response Act", is a necessary, temporary emergency measure to combat efforts in states like Texas and others to "rig" the 2026 congressional elections in favor of one party. The measure's central purpose is to counteract the gains made by partisan redistricting in other states, ensuring the 2026 mid-term elections are conducted on a "level playing field".

The new maps would expire in 2030, and the measure explicitly reaffirms California's long-term commitment to its independent redistricting reforms and the authority of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, which would resume drawing maps after the 2030 census.

It is argued that the measure puts the power to approve these emergency maps in the hands of the people (through a popular vote), not backroom politicians, in response to an anti-democratic scheme elsewhere.

Supporters argue that California has a duty to defend democracy and must "fight back with every tool available" when others attempt to rig elections, and that a congressional majority is necessary to combat what they describe as a dangerous national agenda (e.g., cuts to healthcare and social services).

Opponents, including former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the bipartisan group "No on Prop. 50 – Protect Voters First," argue that the measure is a partisan power grab by Sacramento politicians that dismantles the state's landmark, voter-approved independent redistricting system.

 A "No" vote protects the existing, citizen-drawn congressional maps created by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission.  Opponents contend that Prop 50 throws out maps created through a transparent public process with thousands of public comments in favor of maps secretly drawn by politicians.

Opponents fear that even if temporary, this measure sets a dangerous precedent, opening the door for Sacramento politicians to retain or regain control over the redistricting process beyond 2031 and erode the nonpartisan system permanently.

They argue that the legislatively drawn maps are partisan and designed to favor incumbents and political parties, dismantling constitutional safeguards that keep districts fair and splitting up communities (cities and counties) far more than the citizen-drawn maps.

Opponents point out that calling a special election solely for this purpose is a massive waste of taxpayer money, estimated to cost millions, at a time when the state is facing a large budget deficit. They argue that gerrymandering is wrong, regardless of which party is doing it.

• Yes on 50 campaign (backed by Governor Newsom)
• California Courage
• California MoveOn
• Consumer Attorneys of California 
• U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
• U.S. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

• Stop Prop. 50 
• Protect Voters First No on Prop. 50
• Cynthia Dai, Jeanne Raya, and JOdie Filkins Webber, Members of the First Citizens Redistricting Committee
• Roberto Moncada, United Latinos Action
• Faith Bautista Tamashiro, National Diversity Coalition
• Taylor Shorty, Community RePower Movement
• Sara Sadhwani, 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Committee
• Jodi Hicks, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
• Nicky Davis Milevsky, Sacramento City Teachers Association