Voters across the state have until Monday, October 20, to register for the November 4 Statewide Special Election, where they will decide on Proposition 50, a measure proposing temporary redistricting of California’s congressional districts.

If approved, this act 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. 

Full text of Prop 50 

What is Proposition 50?

California Proposition 50, on the ballot on November 4, 2025, proposes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to partisan redistricting in Texas. If passed, it would allow the state legislature to draw new maps that could favor Democrats for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, replacing the current maps drawn by an independent commission.

Proposition 50 or Assembly Bill 604 is a legislatively approved constitutional amendment that would allow temporary congressional district maps in California starting in 2026. According to the measure’s text, the temporary maps are intended to respond to partisan redistricting efforts in Republican-led states, including Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with the goal of ensuring fair representation for California communities.

Supporters, including Governor Gavin Newsom, have described the measure as a way to counter mid-decade redistricting efforts elsewhere that could expand Republican control in Congress.

A “Yes” vote would start new legislative maps for the next election cycle. A “No” vote would maintain the current maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission until the 2030 Census prompts new lines. Counties would incur one-time costs of up to a few million dollars to update election materials.

Fiscal Impact

One-time costs to counties of up to a few million dollars statewide to update election materials to reflect new congressional district maps.

AB 604:

1. Contains the legal descriptions of California congressional districts that would be adopted pursuant to ACA 8.

2. Specifies that in the event this bill does not list, lists more than once, or only partially accounts for a census tract or census block and, as a result, an ambiguity or dispute arises regarding the location of a boundary line, the Secretary of State and the elections official of each county shall rely on the detailed maps posted to the websites of the Legislature’s two Elections Committees.

3. Remains in effect only until the CRC redistricts congressional districts following the 2030 national census.

4. Makes its provisions severable.

5. Is an urgency measure.

Support

• Advocates argue that Proposition 50 is necessary to counteract Republican gerrymandering and ensure fair representation for California voters.

• The 2026 election for Congress represents the only chance to provide an essential check and balance on Trump’s dangerous "agenda".

• It is endorsed by prominent figures, including Governor Gavin Newsom and various Democratic leaders.

Opposition

• Critics claim that it undermines the independent redistricting process established in California, which is designed to prevent partisan manipulation of district lines.

• Prop. 50 throws out citizen-drawn congressional maps created through a transparent public process with input from over 35,000 Californians. Instead, politicians secretly draw maps which leaves voters with no real say.

• California’s congressional delegation already includes relatively few Republican members. 

• They argue that it could lead to less competitive elections and diminish representation for rural areas.

• The special election just to pass this politician-protecting constitutional change is costing taxpayers $200,000,000.

• With a massive budget deficit, Sacramento politicians are making painful cuts to health care, housing, education, and public safety. Instead of protecting important programs, they’re spending it on a political power play.

• Prop. 50 says this is “temporary,” yet the Legislature will bypass the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission again in 2028, 2030—and perhaps beyond.