California voters have just made an enormous statement. There’s one thing they did approve that could change things profoundly for next year’s midterm elections and it’s the redistricting measure Prop 50. Now, the measure has been widely hailed as one of the biggest Democratic victories—state or federal—in this election. It would assist the party in flipping as many as five Republican held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The country is doing it in preparation for the 2022 midterm elections. These primary races could determine whether the former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party will hold enough sway over Congress in a possible second term for him. Democrats already control 43 of California’s 52 House seats. Passage of Proposition 50 is a clear shot across the bow, a tactical play by Democratic leadership to solidify their growing majority.
This redistricting initiative is a direct counter to the Texas Republicans’ partisan gerrymander, which Democrats have called retaliatory. They have argued it was planned in advance at Trump’s direction. California’s move is as brave as it is to fight back against deep Republican plays. This forward-looking measure would help stop the further concentration of power at the federal level.
The operational side of the campaign for Proposition 50 has been especially vigorous. In support of the measure was billionaire Tom Steyer, a former Democratic presidential candidate, who invested $12 million to see it passed. All told, proponents raised almost $170 million, eclipsing the $84 million that opponents were able to amass. The commitment was unusually deep and wide. It featured $15 million of spend from a Democratic Super PAC, almost $10 million from a lobbying organization connected to George Soros, and close to $4 million from a state teachers’ union.
Other big names on the right also fiercely opposed Proposition 50—most notably Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s last Republican governor. They decided not to formally campaign against it. Last week’s victory is a testament to grassroots mobilizing by Democrats and state legislators, who first floated the campaign’s winning proposal back in July.
The new maps Proposition 50 will produce would be in place for the election cycles of 2026, 2028 and 2030. They are explicitly crafted to make the flipping of numerous Republican seats possible, thus increasing the representation of Democrats in Congress.
So after all this happened, where did Trump express his outrage about this turn of events? He loaded up on Goodman T-shirts while decrying California’s electoral processes as a “giant scam.” His remarks come as questions about election integrity are scrutinized nationwide.
“It’s time for Americans to say, ‘This is not right and it’s not acceptable.’ It’s like we’re going back to when they said we’re three-fifths of a person.” – Charles Johnson
Supporters of Proposition 50 should be commended for recognizing the importance of the issue that they are addressing—perceived injustice caused by partisan gerrymandering. Native American activist Charles Johnson strongly supports the measure. He argues that the Texas redistricting is part of a broader attack on democratic values.
“So if we really think [Texas redistricting] is an isolated incident, no, this is an attack. [Donald Trump] is saying ‘I can do what I want, I can make myself king, and you’re gonna lie down and take it.’” – Charles Johnson
Opponents of the measure have focused their efforts on stoking fears around election fraud in California. They have even alleged that fraudulent ballots are being sent through the mail using the names of ineligible voters.
“It’s absolutely true that there’s fraud in California’s elections. It’s just a fact. It is just a fact.” – Leavitt
California voters were almost unanimously in favor of Prop. 50. This level of support demonstrates just how badly they want to change the political culture.