The People vs. the Power Grab: Inside California’s Prop 50
When politicians try to choose their voters, Californians fight back💪
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In this issue:
Dive into the story behind California’s Election Rigging Response Act (Prop 50)—and why it matters for every voter.
Share the movement! Grab videos and graphics from our Social Media Toolkit to help spread the word.
Join the fight for fair maps! Sign up to volunteer and help make Prop 50 a victory for democracy.
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” —John Lewis
What Is the Election Rigging Response Act?
Proposition 50 is California Democrats’ response to the Republican power grab in Texas. And it’s exactly what good trouble looks like. This temporary plan to change congressional maps is so critical to the nation that it warrants a special election.
What would Prop 50 change? In 2010, Californians voted to take power from the state legislature to draw congressional district lines and give it to the non-partisan Citizens Redistricting Commission. This shift created fairer, more competitive districts and made representatives accountable to their voters. If passed, however, Prop 50 will temporarily put the power for redistricting back in the hands of the legislature. These state lawmakers will create new congressional maps that will be used in the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw new districts in 2031, after the next census.
Why did California Democrats take this unprecedented step? In the summer of 2025 President Donald Trump called Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on the phone to demand that he redistrict the state in the middle of the decade. Trump never hid his motivation for this unusual request: he wanted to carve out an additional five Republican-leaning congressional districts to bolster the party’s odds of keeping control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms.
Isn’t this gerrymandering? Technically, Proposition 50 is gerrymandering. For many Democrats and lovers of democracy, this fact has created an ethical dilemma. But it’s also a necessary response to an utterly lawless president.
Why should I support this proposition? Send the message that the people are fighting back! We will not accept Republicans’ attempts to manipulate and steal our elections. Former First Lady Michelle Obama famously said, “When they go low, we go high.” In normal times we pursue such ideals, but today we don’t have that luxury. We are squaring off against people who feel no shame when they spread lies and make phony promises (which they do all the time). This enemy will win if we don’t fight back loudly and use everything in our toolshed. Even if that means that when they go low we meet them on the way down.
Share The Movement!
Watch and share these videos on your social feeds to help people understand and get involved with the 2025 elections - less than two months away!
CALIFORNIA PROP 50
Meet Malena: The Voice That Fires Up Democracy
Obama: They’re Rigging the Rules—Here’s How We Fight Back
Join the fight for fair maps!
Vote: If you are a California voter, please vote YES on Proposition 50.
Get Loud: Talk to your neighbors, friends and community members about what Prop 50 is and why it’s vitally important. Make sure they understand that Prop 50 is the same thing as the Election Rigging Response Act.
Get Involved: It’s not too late to canvass and get out of the vote for Prop 50. If you don’t live in California, you can join phone or text banks and make donations. Find tons of opportunities TODAY here and here!
Get Inspired: Read about grassroots activist Malena.
Absolutely NO NO NO on 50
So incredibly kind of you to include me in this article! I am incredibly honored.