On November 4, 2025, California voters will vote on Proposition 50, a proposal to approve new congressional district lines for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
Prop 50 is an opportunity for Californians to protect our state and country from the Trump administration’s undemocratic attacks on our communities, the social safety net, and our economy.
How did we get here?
In August, at the instruction of Donald Trump, Texas Republicans redrew their already heavily gerrymandered congressional districts to gain up to 5 Republican House seats in the 2026 and future elections, further minimizing the power of voters of color by breaking up Black and Brown communities into different districts and ensuring control of the House.
In response, Governor Newsom proposed that the California state legislature counter President Trump’s power grab by also redrawing its congressional districts to gain up to 5 Democratic House seats – essentially evening the playing field.
How is this mid-decade redistricting different?
California voters authorized the California Citizens’ Redistricting Commission in 2008 (to draw state districts) and 2010 (congressional districts), taking the task of redistricting from the state legislature with the aspiration of fair maps. Every ten years, after the nationwide Census, the Commission – a 14-member independent body composed of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 people not affiliated with the two major parties – draws the boundaries of congressional, state legislative, and state Board of Equalization districts based on updated Census data and with public input and feedback. California is one of nine states that have a redistricting commission for congressional districts, while the majority of states (33) have their legislatures lead the redrawing of their maps.
California redistricting is governed by a set of six rank-ordered criteria established in our state constitution: population equality, federal Voting Rights Act, geographic contiguity, geographic integrity, geographic compactness, and nesting.
The proposed mid-decade redistricting will occur without the commission and is based on maps drawn by Democrats.
In contrast to Texas:
- The proposed California congressional map complies with the federal Voting Rights Act and protects the voting power of “communities of interest,” including voters of color.
- California legislators welcomed public comment and input into the new map.
- California voters will have the ultimate decision on whether or not to adopt the new maps.
- California’s nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission will return in 2030, after the next census.
What is at stake with mid-decade redistricting?
Majority control of the House and Senate determines which federal policies are considered and passed, and if and how there will be checks and balances on the president and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-212 majority in the House of Representatives, with four vacancies due to deaths and a resignation (three Democrats and one Republican), and a 51-member majority in the Senate. There will be 20 open House seats (12 Republicans and 8 Democrats are retiring) in the 2026 election. In the Senate, 35 of the 100 seats will be up for election (22 currently/recently held by Republicans, 13 by Democrats).
Who supports and opposes California mid-decade redistricting?
Many California and national Democrats support mid-decade redistricting, arguing that this effort is one of the most powerful, immediate, and necessary ways to counter President Trump’s authoritarian attacks. Several California groups and leaders are speaking out in support of midterm redistricting, including SEIU California, the California Labor Federation, the California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and the California Working Families Party.
Some of the leaders and groups who helped establish the independent redistricting commission – former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the League of Women Voters, and philanthropist Charles Munger Jr. – oppose midterm redistricting, arguing that it is undemocratic and would undermine the will of voters who supported an independent body. Several state Republicans and Democrats have expressed opposition or doubt about mid-decade redistricting, as well as reservations about how this approach would play out nationwide and in the long term.
Three former members of the California Citizens’ Redistricting Commission from the 2020 cycle have voiced opposition to mid-decade redistricting, and one has come out in support.
What can I do about mid-decade redistricting?
Californians will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 50 in a special election on November 4, 2025. In cities in which there is a scheduled municipal election on that date, Proposition 50 will appear on the same ballot. Every registered voter will receive a mail-in ballot that must be returned by mail, at official ballot drop-off locations, and at vote centers by November 4.
Fundamentally, and separate from the major political parties, the debate about midterm redistricting in California is on how we can best protect voters and residents in the state, nationally, and internationally. Mid-decade redistricting is a partisan play, but in California, voters will have the final say on the new map and on how we want our leaders to stand up for our state.
Make sure you are registered to vote, and return your Proposition 50 ballot by November 4, 2025!
2025 Statewide Special Election
- The last day to register to vote for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election is October 20, 2025.
- All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election.
- Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by October 6, 2025.
- Ballot drop-off locations open on October 7, 2025.
- Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or to your county elections office.
- Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on October 25, 2025.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county election office by November 12, 2025.
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/statewide-special-nov-4-2025