2025 California Proposition 50
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Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment | ||
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California Proposition 50, officially known as the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment, and also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, is a proposed legislatively referred constitutional amendment that may appear on the ballot in the U.S. state of California on November 4, 2025.[1]
Background
Lawmakers in Texas first proposed gerrymandering the state's congressional district lines to favor Republicans in June 2025.[2] Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives fled the state in an effort to stall the redistricting effort.[3]
Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, first proposed that California could gerrymander their own maps to favor Democrats in an effort to offset potential gains from Texas's gerrymandering.[4] The California Citizens Redistricting Commission is an independent body that currently handles redistricting in the state. Newsom proposed that a special election be called to temporarily pause the commission and return redistricting power to the California Legislature until the end of the decade.[5] On August 11, 2025, he sent a letter to Donald Trump, stating that California would pause any mid-decade redistricting effort if other states called off their efforts.[6] Two days later, Newsom announced that the deadline had passed and he would move forward with his own redistricting effort.[7]
The legislature would have to pass the measure by August 22 for it to appear for the November 4 ballot.[8] The proposed map is expected to target five seats currently held by Republicans.[9]
Legislative history
The legislation was introduced on August 18, and a legislative vote is planned in both chambers on August 21. A two-thirds majority is needed to place the measure on the ballot.[10][11]
Campaign
Support for the measure is expected to be highly partisan, with supporters of the measure likely being members of the Democratic Party, while those in opposition are expected to be members of the Republican Party.[12]
Support
The ballot measure was proposed by Governor Newsom, who has emerged as its most vocal champion.[13][14]
Opposition
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, is a staunch opponent of the proposal.[15] A moderate Republican and opponent of Donald Trump, Schwarzenegger was instrumental in bringing about a nonpartisan redistricting commission in the state.[16]
Impact
If approved by voters, new congressional maps would be enacted prior to the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections.[17]
Endorsements
- Federal officials
- Kamala Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States (2021–2025)[18]
- Eric Holder, United States Attorney General (2009–2015)[19]
- U.S. senators
- Alex Padilla, California (2021–present)[20]
- Adam Schiff, California (2024–present)[20]
- U.S. representatives
- Pete Aguilar, CA-33 (2023–present), CA-23 (2015–2023)[20]
- Statewide officials
- Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (2019–present)[21]
- State senators
- Sabrina Cervantes, California's 31st district[20]
- State representatives
- Isaac Bryan, California's 55th district[20]
- Individuals
- Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation (2022–present)[20]
- David Huerta, trade union leader[20]
- Organizations
- California AFL-CIO[22]
- Democratic National Committee[23]
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California[24]
- U.S. representatives
- Kevin McCarthy, CA-20 (2023), CA-23 (2013–2023), CA-22 (2007–2013)[25]
- Statewide officials
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California (2003–2011)[26]
- Party officials
- Jesse Perez, Merced County Democratic Central Committee (2025–present)[27]
- Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Phrasing | Support | Oppose | Unsure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrin/Possibility/Politico | July 28–August 12 | 1445 (RV) | – | "In both 2008 and 2010, California voters passed initiatives to give an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission the power to draw the state's legislative and congressional districts, in order to reduce the influence of politicians. Governor Newsom has suggested returning congressional line drawing authority back to the Legislature, citing concerns that redistricting efforts in Republican states would give them a partisan advantage." | 36%[b] | 64%[c] | – |
| Emerson College | August 4–5 | 1000 (RV) | ±3% | "Do you support or oppose the proposal to redraw California's congressional map ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections?" | 33.2% | 24.9% | 42.0% |
References
- ^ White, Jeremy; Schultheis, Emily. "'We can't stand back' — Gavin Newsom launches California gerrymander campaign". Politico. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Dahlkamp, Owen (July 22, 2025). "Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the state's congressional maps. Then Trump got involved". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Guo, Kayla; Klibanoff, Eleanor (August 3, 2025). "Texas House Democrats flee the state in bid to block GOP's proposed congressional map". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Dahlkamp, Owen (July 3, 2025). "House Democrats, California leaders weigh tit-for-tat redistricting if Texas Republicans redraw maps". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Koseff, Alexei (July 25, 2025). "Newsom ramps up California redistricting threat as Texas weighs new Republican maps". Cal Matters. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Newsom says in letter to Trump California will back off redistricting — if red states do". San Francisco Chronicle. August 11, 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Oppenheim, Oren (August 13, 2025). "Newsom says California to draw congressional maps to 'END TRUMP PRESIDENCY'". ABC News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Riquelmy, Alan (August 14, 2025). "California governor pushes redistricting vote to counter GOP map plan". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ^ Zavala, Ashley (August 9, 2025). "California's redistricting plan will officially target five Republican seats, Democratic leader confirms". KCRA. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Riquelmy, Alan (August 15, 2025). "California Dems tee up redistricting legislation with proposed maps". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "Governor Newsom on introduction of 'Election Rigging Response Act' Legislative Package". Governor of California. August 18, 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ Blood, Michael; Nguyen, Tran (August 14, 2025). "California moving forward with partisan redistricting effort to counter Texas' move". ABC7. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Zavala, Gerardo (July 28, 2025). "Governor Gavin Newsom says California must counter GOP efforts to redraw congressional maps". CapRadio. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ White, Jeremy B.; Schultheis, Emily (August 14, 2025). "'We can't stand back' — Gavin Newsom launches California gerrymander campaign". POLITICO. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Bluth, Rachel (August 15, 2025). "It's Arnold vs. Gavin: Schwarzenegger vows to 'terminate' gerrymandering". POLITICO. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Rosenhall, Laurel (August 15, 2025). "Newsom's Gerrymander of California Has a Formidable Foe: Schwarzenegger". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Korecki, Natasha; Kamisar, Ben (August 14, 2025). "Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for a special election to allow for a new congressional map in California". NBC News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (August 18, 2025). "Kamala Harris is 'proud' of redistricting play". Politico. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ "California governor calls for a special election to introduce new US House maps – live". The Guardian. August 14, 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Russell, Lia (August 14, 2025). "Gavin Newsom launches official redistricting campaign: 'Wake up, America'". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Gavin Newsom kicks off California's redistricting efforts". Los Angeles Daily News. August 14, 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "California Labor Federation Endorses Special Election to Reset Congressional Lines in California". California Federation of Labor Unions. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "DNC Chair Ken Martin on CA Governor Gavin Newsom and California Dems Fighting Back Against Donald Trump Rigging Congressional Maps". Democrats. August 14, 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Governor Newsom launches statewide response to Trump rigging Texas' elections". Governor of California. August 14, 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ Jones, Blake (August 15, 2025). "Kevin McCarthy reemerges to fight California redistricting". Politico. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ Bluth, Rachel (August 15, 2025). "It's Arnold vs. Gavin: Schwarzenegger vows to 'terminate' gerrymandering". POLITICO. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Perez, Jesse (August 15, 2025). "Merced County Democratic Central Committee Member Opposes Redistricting Efforts". Medium. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Arit, John (August 14, 2025). "Newsom announces California redistricting push, setting up a standoff with GOP-led opponents". CNN. Retrieved 14 August 2025.