California voters have likely already received their mail-in ballot for Prop 50, also known as Election Rigging Response Act. There is a lot of chatter on social media from both sides trying to convince voters which way to go. That also means that there is a lot of misinformation and intentionally misleading statements to confuse voters. So, let’s dive into what Prop 50 is, how it came about, what it means for voters, and what it means for the current battle for America’s democracy.

Prop 50 allows temporary, mid-decade redistricting for California’s congressional maps

California voters are being asked to allow the state a temporary redistricting effort that takes the power away from an independent commission. This might sound alarming, but it isn’t the power grab opponents to Prop 50 claim it is. The proposition seeks to temporarily allow for lawmakers in Sacramento to redraw California’s congressional map through 2030.

According to the ballot, Prop 50, “Requires temporary use of new congressional district maps through 2030. Directs independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume enacting congressional district maps in 2031. Establishes policy supporting nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide.”

The Prop 50 ballot measure gives California voters the power to offset partisan gerrymandering in Texas

Earlier this year, Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state to postpone a vote on new congressional maps. The new maps are purposefully drawn to eliminate Democratic seats and add five new Republican held seats in the House of Representatives. The move sparked outrage among Democratic elected officials across the nation.

While it is legal for Texas lawmakers to redraw their congressional district maps at any time, it is highly unusual to do this mid-decade. Traditionally, congressional district maps are redrawn after the census, which happens once a decade. However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called a special session to redraw maps, without the census or voter input, to further disenfranchise Democratic voters.

California’s Prop 50, if approved by voters in November, will redistrict California’s congressional maps to offset Texas’s new maps, according to California Democrats. The proposed map from California lawmakers creates five new Democratic districts in an attempt to level the balance of power in response to Texas.

Fact: Texas is not redrawing its congressional maps because of a lawsuit

Republicans, in defense of the new Texas congressional district maps, claim that lawmakers are responding to a 2022 lawsuit. That is false. While there is an ongoing lawsuit after Texas gerrymandered the congressional maps in 2021, Texas lawmakers are working on a request from President Donald Trump. The current map is not in response to LULAC v Greg Abbott.

Back in June 2025, President Trump floated the idea that red states should redistrict to net more Republican seats in Congress. The comment raises concerns that the Republican Party, dogged by unpopular legislation, is trying to rig the 2026 midterms to its benefit. Texas Republican lawmakers answered the call and immediately set to work to redraw the state’s maps. Texas Democrats claim the maps further suppress Latino voices.

“We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas,” Trump told CNBC’s Squawk Box earlier this year. “I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.”

Democrats claim that the Latino vote is under attack in Texas

The Texas bill is facing a legal battle after lawmakers redrew the new congressional maps. A supplemental suit filed by “the Gonzales Plaintiffs” claims the new maps violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Democrats argue that the new maps are banking on low turnout from Latino voters and continued support among white voters. The case is currently in litigation in the court. A post-trial decision laid out the argument in favor of “the Gonzales Plaintiffs” seeking relief from the new maps.

This is the basis for California’s lawmakers to draft Prop 50 for California’s special election happening on Nov. 4, 2025.

“The Gonzales Plaintiffs are entitled to the relief they seek because they have standing, they meet each of the Gingles preconditions, and the totality of the circumstances supports relief,” reads the post-trial executive summary filed on June 30, 2025.

The case against the new Texas congressional maps is ongoing.

Tags:

Share this Story