California Prop 50: Background and FAQs

What is PROP 50?

Proposition 50 is a California state initiative that will be on the November 4, 2025 Special Election ballot.  It is designed to enact Congressional redistricting in California in response to similar redistricting in other states. It will give all California voters the opportunity to cast a vote on temporary Congressional redistricting maps that would expire in 2030.

1. There’s an election coming up?  When?

Yes! There’s a special election happening on Tuesday, November 4th.  Just like the last couple of elections we’ve had in California, everyone will get a mail ballot sent to their home in early October, so you can conveniently vote by mail or drop off your ballot at a drop site. 

  2. What’s this election all about?

A number of state governments, including the Texas legislature under Governor Greg Abbott, made unprecedented changes to the redistricting process to yield enough seats to control Congress. In response, Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature put Proposition 50 on the ballot, to give all Californians an opportunity to pass similar redistricting in California and restore an equitable balance.

3. How would this measure work?

These are the key parts of the plan that will be on the ballot for California voters to vote on:
  • Because Texas and possibly other states are changing their district boundaries to favor the election of more members of Congress from their dominant political party in next year’s 2026 elections, California is making a temporary response by changing its district boundaries for next year’s election. 
  • Proponents say that the measure keeps California’s commitment to national redistricting reform.  The California Citizen Redistricting Commission will remain in place, and California will revert to regular redistricting after the 2030 census.  This measure specifically declares it is California state policy to support the use of fair, nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide.

4. Who’s supporting this ballot measure?

This measure is being put forward by California Governor Gavin Newsom and has been endorsed by supporters, including: 
  • President Barack Obama
  • CA Congressmembers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi;
  • CA Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff;
  • Labor unions, including the CA Federation of Labor, the CA Teachers Association, and the SEIU CA State Council;
  • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California;
  • Coalition for the Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles Action Fund.

5. Who’s against this ballot measure?

Some of the biggest opponents of this measure are:
  • Charles Munger – a billionaire who has used his private organization to block abortion access and target LGBTQ+ youth, including promoting “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ youth and opposing same-sex marriage. Carl DeMaio – CA Assemblymember who has expressed support for mass immigration round-ups, unlawful tariffs, and withholding CA emergency response money.

​​6. Why should Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders participate? 

Asian American and Pacific Islander voices matter.
  • There are nearly 25 million Asian Americans and 1.7 million Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in the United States. We are the fastest-growing racial group in the country, with an electorate growing at an even faster rate. In many elections across the country, WE are the margin of victory.
We are voting for our future and our children’s future.
  • AAPI voters are younger than the overall U.S. population, and AAPIs under the age of 40 have quickly overtaken the number of those aged 60 and over. In California alone, there are just under 6 million total Asian Americans, accounting for about 15% of the overall California population (39,346,023).
Our communities are in every corner of California.
  • AAPIs in California are diverse with individuals from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and the Philippines and reside in every part of the state from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego to Santa Clara, Alameda, and the Central Valley.

7. How and when can I vote in this Special Election? 

Here are the key election dates:
  • The last day to register to vote for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election is October 20, 2025.  People can do same-day registration, but their ballot will not be counted until their voter registration form has been validated.
  • All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election.
  • Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by October 6, 2025.
  • Ballot drop-off locations open on October 7, 2025.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
  • Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on October 25, 2025.
  • Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2025.

You can find more information about the Prop 50, how to register and vote, and where to vote.

Links below.

CA secretary of state – Official voter information guide: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/proposition/50/

CA secretary of state – Statewide Special Elections Voter Information: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections

CA secretary of state – Find Your Polling Place: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place