Prop 50: gerrymandering in California

On Nov. 4, Californians will vote on Proposition 50, deciding whether to adopt a new state congressional map that would gerrymander districts in favor of Democrats. California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced and signed this ballot measure in August in response to Texas gerrymandering in favor of Republicans.

Merriam-Webster defines gerrymandering as dividing election districts “in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage.” While surveys show widespread disapproval of gerrymandering among Americans, it’s not illegal unless based on race.

Prop 50, the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would redraw California’s congressional districts so that the Democratic Party has a chance to gain five more seats in the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats currently hold 43 out of 52 of the state’s House seats.

In August, Texas redrew its congressional districts in a bill that President Donald Trump called for in July, giving Republicans a similar five-seat advantage in the 2026 midterms. Currently, the House is controlled by a historically narrow Republican majority of 219 to 214 seats, with two seats that are vacant. This slim margin means that even flipping a small number of seats would have implications for which party controls the legislature.

Prop 50 would cancel out the effects of Texas’s redistricting by providing Democrats with the same number of House seats as Texas gives to Republicans. Supporters believe that Prop 50 is an effective counter to what they see as a threat to democracy.

“Right now, a lot of people feel powerless,” said San Mateo County supervisor Noelia Corzo. “Luckily, we live in a state [with] Democratic leadership [that is] willing to be bold and recognize the danger our country is in. This is about defending our democracy and not standing idly by while the future of this country [is] being lit on fire.”

A poll by University of California Berkeley found that 49% of likely voters support Prop 50 while 32% oppose it.

Some oppose gerrymandering in general, but are willing to make an exception for Prop 50 because they view it as an impactful response to Texas.

“I disagree with gerrymandering as a whole; it’s undemocratic,” said senior Erin Finn. “[But] if your opponent [has] all these dirty tactics and you’re still [playing] a clean race … you got the moral high ground, but you’re losing everything else … I support [Prop 50 because] you can’t sit back and let things like this happen.”

Unlike Texas, California is one of eight states in the country with an independent redistricting commission. Typically, districts are drawn by the nonpartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission every ten years, following a census. Because of this, California needs voter approval to pass a new map, while Texas was able to redistrict without it. If Prop 50 passes, the new congressional map would take effect from 2026 until it is redrawn in 2030.

Prop 50 opponents argue that it contradicts the purpose of California’s independent redistricting commission.

“Californians created the gold standard for fair elections: independent citizen-led redistricting that ensures voters pick their representatives, not the other way around,” said the California Republican Party in a statement on their website. “Prop 50 would tear that down, even temporarily, and hand the power back to Sacramento politicians. That’s not progress, that’s going backwards.”

Others believe Prop 50 is actually democratic.

“[It’s okay since] people are voting on it,” said senior Sydney Miller. ”There’s a reason [for redistricting] and it’s not like [the legislature is] completely taking the power [of Californians] away.”

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution supporting Prop 50 on Sept. 9. This decision deviated from the Board’s nonpartisan norm, according to Supervisor Jackie Speier, who said she would not have ordinarily supported a political resolution but recognized that this was a unique situation.

“I don’t think it’s a time for anyone in this country to be standing by and just watching as our democracy gets torn apart,” Corzo said.

For more information about the Nov. 4 election, visit smcacre.gov/november-4-2025.