Proposition 50 would redraw California’s congressional districts to favor Democrats. If voters approve it, the number of Republicans representing California in Congress could be cut roughly in half, potentially altering the national balance of power.
Polls show about six in 10 likely voters support the proposition, though support breaks sharply along party lines and varies by region.
Still haven’t decided how you are voting on Prop. 50? Let us help.
### The Basics
Proposition 50 would change how California determines the boundaries of congressional districts. The measure asks voters to approve new congressional district lines designed to favor Democrats for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, overriding the map drawn by the state’s nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission.
### Impact
If voters approve Proposition 50, Golden State Democrats would see the odds tilted further in their favor, while the number of Republicans representing California in Washington, D.C., could be reduced by half.
### Background
With a push from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrats in the state Legislature put Proposition 50 on California’s November 4 ballot after the Texas GOP began discussing a new map that would help elect five more Republicans to Congress.
The Republican Party holds the House by such a slim margin that any changes to state maps could have an effect on the balance of power in Washington.
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### More to Read
– **[Your Guide to Proposition 50: California Redistricting]**
– **[How to Vote in California’s November 4 Special Election]**
– **[Will Your Congressional District Shift Left or Right in Newsom’s Proposed Map?]**
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### Taking Sides
Generally speaking, Proposition 50 is marked by a partisan divide.
Some supporters say they will vote for redistricting even though they don’t like it. Instead, they blame Republicans in Texas and elsewhere for gerrymandering to help the GOP. If California didn’t respond, Republicans would get away with stacking the congressional electoral map in their favor.
Prop. 50 is backed by top Democrats nationwide, led by Newsom.
#### Supporters:
– President Barack Obama
– Sen. Elizabeth Warren
– Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
– Gov. Gavin Newsom
> “Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. With Prop. 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks. Prop. 50 puts our elections back on a level playing field, preserves independent redistricting over the long term, and lets the people decide. Return your ballot today.”
> — Barack Obama
#### Opponents:
– President Donald Trump
– Vice President J. D. Vance
– Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
– Rep. Doug LaMalfa
> “They are trying to fight for democracy by getting rid of the democratic principles of California. It is insane to let that happen. They want to dismantle this independent commission. They want to get rid of it under the auspices of we have to fight Trump. It doesn’t make any sense to me because we have to fight Trump, [yet] we become Trump.”
> — Arnold Schwarzenegger
The *Orange County Register* editorial states:
“Prop. 50 tosses aside the congressional maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission in favor of maps drawn by and for the benefit of politicians. In a healthy democracy, you want voters to be the ones choosing their politicians. With Prop. 50, you have politicians choosing their voters.”
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### More to Read
– **[‘Democracy is on the Ballot,’ Obama Says, Urging Californians to Pass Prop. 50 in New Ad]**
– **[California Republicans Energized by Opposition to Newsom’s Redistricting Special Election]**
– **[‘It’s All at Stake’: As Prop. 50 Fight Intensifies, Newsom and Partisan Influencers Rally Their Bases]**
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### State of the Race
#### Polls
Polls have shown Prop. 50 comfortably leading. Six in 10 likely voters support Proposition 50, according to a survey by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies co-sponsored by The Times.
About 38% of likely voters oppose the ballot measure.
According to the survey, the breakdown among voters was highly partisan, with more than 9 out of 10 Democrats supporting Proposition 50 and a similar proportion of Republicans opposing it. Among voters who belong to other parties, or identify as “no party preference,” 57% favored the ballot measure, while 39% opposed it.
In the voter-rich urban areas of Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area, Proposition 50 led by wide margins, the poll found. Voters in Orange County, the Inland Empire, and the Central Valley were more evenly divided.
#### Fundraising
Records show pro-Prop. 50 forces have raised much more money than critics.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s committee supporting the redistricting measure raised $36.8 million between September 21 and October 18, bringing its total to $114.3 million as of last Thursday.
The two main opposition groups raised a combined total of $8.4 million during the 28 days covered by the fundraising period, bringing their total haul to $43.7 million.
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### More to Read
– **[Voters in Poll Side with Newsom, Democrats on Prop. 50, a Potential Blow to Trump and GOP]**
– **[Who is Spending Money on Prop. 50, the Redistricting Measure on California’s November Ballot]**
– **[Unions Opposing Trump Agenda Pouring Money into Proposition 50 Campaign]**
– **[Proponents of November 4 Redistricting Ballot Measure Vastly Outraise Opponents]**
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Proposition 50 stands as a pivotal measure that could redefine California’s congressional representation and influence the balance of power in Washington for years to come. Voters are encouraged to review the arguments, assess the impacts, and make their voices heard on November 4.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-11-01/la-me-last-minute-guide-prop-50
