California is preparing for an unprecedented special election on November 4, in which voters will have to decide whether to vote for Proposition 50, a measure that, if approved, would redraw California's congressional districts before the 2026 midterm elections.

During the video conference: “California Special Elections: Redistricting, Representation, and Resources for Voters,” hosted by American Community Media (ACoM), independent voting rights experts from Common Cause discussed what this special election means for Californians.

Dan Vicuna, senior policy director for voting and fair representation at Common Cause, said Proposition 50 would adopt a new U.S. House map for California, to be used in elections from 2026 through 2030.

“After the 2030 Census, redistricting authority will revert to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, in accordance with current law.”

Therefore, he emphasized that Proposition 50, if passed, would affect only U.S. House districts and would not touch Assembly or State Senate districts.

“It will have a time limit. The Proposition 50 map will end after the 2030 census, when the power to draw these districts will return to the citizens commission.”

Where Proposition 50 came from

“This year, President Donald Trump’s Justice Department sent a letter to Texas political leaders demanding that the state dismantle congressional districts, designed to empower communities of color to elect candidates of their choice.”

She noted that Trump also sought to flip Democratic control of five congressional districts in the state to Republicans.

“California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to respond to Texas’s attack on voting rights,redrawing the congressional map to flip five Republican districts to Democrats before the 2026 midterm elections.”

That’s how in August, the California legislature passed a legislative package calling for a special election on November 4, 2025, in which voters would be asked to adopt the state’s new congressional map that seeks to achieve this goal. “If passed, Proposition 50 would create new district boundaries to be adopted for California’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Why support Proposition 50

He stated that Common Cause does not oppose Proposition 50, since after evaluating the measure

they determined that Proposition 50 meets fairness standards.

However, he said they also recognize that this is a complex and critical moment for our democracy, and voters have right to make informed decisions about the functioning of their elections.

“This is no longer a one-state game in the system. It’s a national power grab designed to make Donald Trump unaccountable to the voters in the midterm elections.”

She added that redistricting should not encourage racial discrimination or dilute the political voice of Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian, American, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color.

“Federal reform leaders seeking mid-decade redistricting should publicly endorse the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, including provisions that prohibit mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts.”

Encourage the vote

Brittany Stonesifer, senior manager of the voting rights and redistricting program at California Common Cause, said California is an incredibly diverse state, where white people make up the majority of the 41% of the adult population, but 55% of the state's likely voters.

“Latinos, on the other hand, represent 35% of the adult population, but only 21% of likely voters. Asian Americans represent 15% of the adult population, but only 14% of likely voters.”

He said that in recent years, California has made significant improvements in voter access and participation.

However, he mentioned that the state still has a long way to go to address disparities in voter participation.

“During the 2024 general election,The general electoral turnout was 62%; However, for Latino voters it was 46% and for Asian Americans it was 54%.”

She said these disparities have persisted in every election, increasing the urgency of this moment when turnout is typically lower during off-cycle and special elections.

“While California is a leader in protecting voters’ rights, we still must ensure that higher voter turnout represents everyone, especially voters of color.”

That’s why she said every election year, including this one, California Common Cause mobilizes and trains nonpartisan election protection volunteers to serve as the first line of defense for voters against obstacles at the polls and to ensure election officials and poll workers comply with state law.

“Our trained, independent volunteers protect California voters against electioneering and intimidation, confusing rules, outdated infrastructure, misinformation, and unnecessary obstacles at the polls.” She encouraged voters who need help to call or text 866 ourvote.

“This hotline is available in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog.”

She added that California Common Cause will have poll watchers in select areas of Southern California and will monitor hotline calls and events across the state.

“Voters can also find resources on California Common at commoncause.org/vote.CA.”

She added that while voters in California must be 18 or older on Election Day, 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote.

“Most Californians with criminal records are eligible to vote, which is a common misconception. That’s not true. The only time a conviction affects voting rights in California is while a person is serving a sentence in state or federal prison.”

Fair Representation

Darius Kemp, executive director of California Common Cause, said fair maps mean fair representation, fair votes, and a fair future for all.

He explained that California’s independent redistricting commission is the gold standard for redistricting nationwide.

He said Measures DD and LL passed in Los Angeles, establishing an independent commission for the city and Los Angeles Unified School Districts.

He acknowledged that in California, we are at an extraordinary moment in our democracy, and everything is moving at lightning speed.