In California, a ballot proposition is an initiative or referendum submitted to the voting public for approval or rejection. Proposition 50, to be voted on this coming Nov. 4, has generated an inordinate amount of publicity throughout the state, along with increased scrutiny by notable parties outside the Golden State.
The focal point of Prop 50 is the power to redraw the all important congressional maps that will determine the makeup of the individual districts within the state, who will then elect representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“California, the whole nation is counting on you. Democracy is on the ballot November 4th. Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. With Prop. 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks,” said former President Barack Obama in an ad urging the approval of Prop. 50.
Normally redrawn every 10 years in tandem with the U.S. Census, Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special election this past July 31 following the controversial legislative redistricting in Texas which, in some circles, will give an unfair advantage to the Republicans in that red dominated state.
If successful, the advantage in blue state California will be given to its Democratic-led Legislature, impacting elections in the immediate future.
Tipping the scales
As California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) looked upon these proceedings, he was prompted to sign an “Election Rigging Response Act” in August, to counter what he considered a power grab by Trump and the Lone Star Republicans as they geared up for political elections up to 2028. This legislative package became popularly known as “Proposition 50,” a reference to the 50 United States.
“Californians have been uniquely targeted by the Trump Administration, and thanks to the hard work of the California legislature, they will have a choice to fight back,” said Governor Newsom.
This necessitated redrawing a map altering the balance of power between America’s two principal political parties. Republicans in the state immediately cried foul, insisting they would lose leverage, particularly along the northern area bordering Oregon, the traditionally red bastion of Orange County, and elements of eastern San Diego County.
It is important to note that this revised map was drawn by a Democrat, political data consultant Paul Mitchell of Sacramento.
Mobilizing the Southland
Locally, momentum for the passage of this referendum gained traction on September 30, as the grassroots Community Coalition held a brick and mortar and virtual gathering for South Los Angeles. Its keynote speaker was newly elected Egyptian-Guatemalan Assemblywoman Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles).
A protege of Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, Elhawary embraces her constituency by declaring herself both Black and Latina, emphasizing the importance of this passage on November 4 for those she represents.
“Drawing fair maps that represent California’s diverse communities ensures American democracy and our voices aren’t silenced by Republican gerrymandering in other states,” she clarified on how it will affect South LA families in the fight for justice.
“Trump is rigging the elections and we can stop him. Join in this fight for democracy! Show out at this rally and vote yes on prop 50 today,” said Assemblywoman Sade Elhawary, 57th district.
To drive home the point to prevent what she calls “a power grab,” she has already set up a rally in tandem with Curren Price, Mike Gipson, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Holly Mitchell, Laura Richardson, and other political that occurred October 25 at the Leimert Park Plaza, an area noted for its political activism.
Additionally, a Halloween “Candy Crawl” will be held on October 31, in downtown LA, merging the traditional holiday with the push to affirm the initiative on November 4. “This isn’t politics as usual — this is about protecting democracy,” she said.
Conflict and Divisiveness
This dispute underscores the existence of two types of Californias: the coastal counties that attract media attention due to their higher population and publicized urban centers; and the geographically larger, agricultural interior which is less populated but rapidly growing, especially in political clout.
Among Proposition 50’s opponents is Republican leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who has suggested a “two-state solution” to split the state in two to enable his underrepresented constituency to emerge from the shadow of urban areas on the coast.
“Gavin, let my people go,” said Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher.
He dismisses the concern that inland rural areas like Mariposa, Tulare counties would suffer financially from their isolation from the wealthy enclaves of the Bay Area and Los Angeles through San Diego.
“They have a very strong GDP, a lot of manufacturing, you know, logistics that are done in this area, agriculture, timber industry,” he points out.
Conventional wisdom suggests diversity rich metropolitan areas align with blue state Democrats, but there are exceptions to the rule. Many fiscally conservative Asians, especially the Vietnamese immigrant community of Orange County, have gravitated into the bosom of the GOP.
Partisan winds from the East
California and Texas make up the two most populous states in the Union, with 40 million and 30 million residents each. This demonstrates an inordinately large influence on the country at large, and the voices of out of state notables who have shared their opinions affirms this.
“California, you know we don’t back down from a fight…this November, the fight belongs to you,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-NY).
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Tex) gave her take on the events transpiring in her state as a concerted effort in disenfranchising Black and Brown voters to benefit the GOP
“Donald Trump ordered Texas Republicans to rig the next election. They drew my seat off the map,” she claims.
Charismatic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been described as the “…the political mirror image of Donald Trump” by journalist and scholar Frank Sesno. A media darling who has no concrete influence on the California lawmaking apparatus, she has gone so far as to appear in advertisements and television commercials in English and Spanish to express her support for Proposition 50.
“Prop 50 levels the playing field and gives power back to the people,” she said in an ad sponsored by Newsom.
No less than the patriarch of the Democratic Party has broken his silence:
“As a consequence of California’s actions, we have a chance at least to create a level playing field in the upcoming midterm elections,” former President Barack Obama said in a livestream with Newsom on October 23.
Ironically, he expressed his sentiments in a video released on X, the social platform formally known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, a former confidant of President Trump.
Nothing new under the sun
The uproar surrounding Proposition 50 has spawned considerable if not unprecedented spending to ensure and to prevent its passage.
In the interim since it was launched in late summer, the policymaking tug-of-war around it has become the third most expensive in state history. Yes on Proposition 50 has raised over $114 million, that figure is a total of $130 million that has been put toward the entire measure, according to CalMatters.org.
Just ahead of it in recent history were 2022’s proposition 27, which proposed sports betting initiatives outside Native American tribe members before it was defeated, with opponents and supporters spending a total of $418.6 million before it was rejected.
Prior to this, there was the 2020 gig-economy Proposition 22, which enabled companies like ridesharing (Uber, Lyft), food delivery services (DoorDash) to classify drivers as independent contractors. Companies like Lyft and Uber contributed some $205 million to pass this measure.
Perhaps the most high profile advocate against Proposition 50 is Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The actor-turned politician appeared on the HBO talk show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” a personality known for his liberal leanings. He claimed that the whole thing was a Democratic “scam,” but insisted he would abide by the outcome of the election.
“Let the Democrats outperform the Republicans, and therefore, because of their performance, win and get the House back,” said Schwarzenegger.
