What is California Proposition 50 and how did we get here
California's Proposition 50 is part of a larger national election battle.
Republicans and Democrats are attempting to gerrymander, or redraw, congressional districts to influence the outcome of next year's midterm elections and determine which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives.
The battle began when President Donald Trump asked Republican states, like Texas, to do exactly that. In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to bolster Democrats, which led to a special election being called and Prop 50 being placed on the ballot.
If Prop 50 passes, California's congressional districts would be changed for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, temporarily overruling the state's independent redistricting commission, which would draw new maps after the 2030 census.
If the yes side prevails, the redrawn maps would change the boundaries of several districts, but in particular, five districts where Republicans are currently in power. The redrawn maps would include more registered Democratic voters than previously, in theory making it harder for Republicans to retain power and more likely for Democrats to pick up new seats in Congress.
This would counter the move by Texas, which is doing the same thing, but targeting five Democrats currently in office.
Read more about Prop 50 here.
