Thousands of California voters blasted Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Democrats over their push for a gerrymandering ballot measure, according to over 19,000 public comments obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Newsom announced on Aug. 14 that California would hold a special election for voters to approve or reject the “Election Rigging Response Act,” also known as Proposition 50, a measure that would implement new “temporary” congressional district maps through 2030. Before releasing the official redistricting maps, the California State Assembly’s Committee on Elections opened a public comment portal from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23, during which 19,751 comments were submitted from across the state, including major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
The pushback from California Democrats came shortly after Texas lawmakers proposed a new redistricting map for their state, with some Republicans arguing the move was necessary due to the influx of residents who moved into the state during and after 2020.
Of the nearly 20,000 comments, an overwhelming majority opposed the measure, with many criticizing Newsom and Democratic leadership for pushing it. While some called for lawmakers to focus on the state’s issues rather than Democratic pushback against the Trump administration, a smaller number of comments supported Newsom, often echoing his phrase of fighting “fire with fire.”
If approved, Republicans in California could see their already small representation shrink further, with reports predicting five of the nine House Republicans could lose their seats. Lawmakers at risk include Reps. Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, David Valadao, Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa.
If all five Republican House members lose their seats, Democrats would expand their advantage from 43 to 48 of California’s 52 total districts, leaving Republicans with just four seats statewide.
CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT COMMISSION
Several respondents noted that California had already established the Independent Redistricting Commission in 2008, thus rendering Prop 50 unnecessary.
“As a California Democrat, I’m disappointed that members of the CA State Legislature are pushing for a special election attempting to erode CA voters decision in 2010 for an Independent Redistricting Commission which was [to] prevent partisan gerrymandering,” one submission from Los Angeles states.
“I recognize that this is a response towards the Texas Legislature decision to do mid-decade redistricting to gerrymander their state but circumventing the will of CA residents decision for personal gain demonstrates hypocrisy and represents the dangers of hurting our democracy,” the submission adds. “If Democrats want to win elections then run better congressional candidates such as how they won in 2018 with over 40 seat net gain, the overall point I am making is that the CA state legislature shouldn’t take up a special election for mid-decade redistricting because it shows we aren’t the people that listens to the will of the people.”
In 2008, Californians passed the Voters First Act, which established a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission responsible for drawing district lines for the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization every ten years. The commission is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats and four not affiliated with either of the two parties. Additionally, in 2010, voters approved Proposition 20, expanding the commission’s authority to include drawing congressional districts.
“We have an independent redistricting commission. Why would you take away what we voted for. If you do, I’ll never vote Democratic again,” another submission from Valencia states.
During the announcement of the potential new map, many had questions regarding how the new districts were being drawn and who was apart of the new proposal as the independent commission had not been used in the process.
According to Cal Matters, veteran Democratic redistricting expert Paul Mitchell and a group of other consultants were partially responsible for the potential Democratic gains in the state. Mitchell reportedly had taken input from California’s Democratic congressional delegation prior to submitting the map to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Newsom and state Democrats have attempted to ease concerns about bypassing the Independent Commission by insisting the new maps are only temporary and serve as a pushback against the Trump administration. However, critics have warned the move could have lasting consequences for the state..
Leader of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Neal Fornaciari warned during an interview with KCRA on Sunday that he is “not confident at all” that the redrawn map will be just temporary for the state. Fornaciari also noted that seven of the 14 commissioners are currently against the measure.
“It’s temporary till the next crisis, the 2030,” Fornaciari said. “California is going to lose between three and six congressional seats. So that’s next crisis up.”
However, in response to the DCNF’s request for comment on concerns about bypassing the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office said the measure went through a “transparent legislative process.”
“The legislation that included California’s response to Trump’s Texas power grab went through a transparent legislative process – and is now, once again, seeking input from the public via a statewide vote. No resident of Texas, Missouri, or North Carolina – which Trump pressured to rig their election map – can say the same,” a spokesperson for Newsom said.
COSTING TAXPAYERS
A second repeated concern from voters’ comments identified the cost of the special election in comparison to the state’s ongoing issues like crime and homelessness.
“Stop wasting our fucking money. This is costing taxpayers with no tangible benefit. $250 million burden on the taxpayers!!!!” a submission from Indio, California, states.
California’s Assembly Republicans on Aug. 14 sent a memo warning Democrats and Newsom that the special election could cost at least $235.5 million for taxpayers in the state. Recent reports indicate that while the official price earmarked for the cost was $282.6 million, taxpayers were charged at least another $2 million to correct inaccurate voter guides sent to some registered voters about the measure.
“This is a ridiculous waste of taxpayer’s money. The state already has a budget deficit and should not be wasting taxpayer’s money on political theater,” a submission from Richmond, California, states.
“It is an egregious abuse of power and a complete waste of precious resources that we do not have. Gavin Newsom has been completely absent in governing this state and has no desire to help Californians, which this won’t, but instead just further his presidential aspirations. Tired of it. There are a lot of people in this state whose important voices are being bullied out by nonsense like this,” another submission from Folsom, California, adds.
READ:
California Comment Data – Prop 50 by hailey
In response to taxpayer concerns, Newsom’s office also directed the DCNF to a previous statement from the governor, in which he said the state of California would fund the measure, adding there’s “no price tag on democracy.”
SOME SHOW OF SUPPORT
Despite the widespread opposition to the bill, a handful of comments supported the governor and Democrats backing the legislation. Some agreed with the move as a response to Texas’ redistricting efforts, while others took a more extreme stance, calling for the removal of “as many” Republican districts as possible.
“I fully support the effort to redistrict to counteract Texas and other republican led states efforts to unfairly sway the results of the midterm elections. California cannot let it’s influence and power at the federal level be diluted by Trump and the GOP’s naked power grab,” a respondent from West Sacramento, California, wrote.
“Remove as many republican districts as you legally can get away with. No more playing nice. They will do it to us first chance they get. The electoral college is already in their favor, how about we get the House back in our favor,” one respondent from Los Angeles wrote.
Others argued that Newsom has “every right” to redraw the state’s districts, warning that Republicans pose a “threat to democracy” across the U.S.
“The Republican party is an existential threat to democracy and CA,” a respondent from Long Beach, California, wrote. “Gerrymander them out of existence. Let’s remind the Federal Government that they need us a lot more than we need them.”
POLLS DISAGREE
Despite the public backlash in August, polling suggests Democrats may maintain an edge.
An Emerson College survey conducted Oct. 20–Oct. 21 of 900 likely California voters found that 57% support Prop 50, with just 37% opposing it. Undecided voters, meanwhile, leaned toward approval, with 60% supporting the measure. The survey also noted significant shifts among certain demographic groups; for example, black voter support for Prop 50 jumped from 45% to 71% since September, according to the poll’s executive director, Spencer Kimball.
“Right now we’re losing the fight against Prop 50 in CA, but turnout is LOW. If every Republican voter gets off their ass, returns their ballot and votes NO, we WIN. IT. IS. THAT. SIMPLE,” Republican California Assembly Member Carl DeMaio warned on X.
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