It’s Election Day in California! It’s the last day residents can make their voices heard regarding Prop. 50.
Voters have until 8 p.m. to mail in or drop off their ballots or vote in person. Residents should also stay in line at a vote center at 8 p.m., because their vote will still be counted.
To find the closest voting center and drop-off location near you, click here.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, in August, signed a bill calling for a Nov. 4 special election that will let Californians decide whether lawmakers should temporarily take control of drawing the state’s congressional maps, which would heavily favor Democrats.
Prop. 50 would override the state’s independent redistricting commission for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The commission, approved by voters through ballot measures in 2008 and 2010, was designed to remove politics from the process, which is typically conducted every 10 years using U.S. Census data.
Under the plan, the commission would remain in law but lose authority – at least temporarily.
Supporters argue that the measure is necessary to counter partisan gerrymandering in GOP-led states. Opponents, however, argue it amounts to gerrymandering itself, returning power to politicians after voters had deliberately removed it.
A “yes” vote on Prop. 50 would allow the Legislature to implement new district maps for the next election cycle. A “no” vote would preserve the current maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission until new lines are created after the 2030 Census.