EMMA PHILLIPS / CONTRIBUTOR

This week, voting began in California on Proposition 50.

Republican Governor of Texas Greg Abbott redrew the state’s congressional map to gain five additional Republican seats in Congress this past August. Democratic California Governor, Gavin Newsom viewed this as a form of gerrymandering, which is the alteration of electoral boundaries within a state to favor a particular political party.

There are many factors that are taken into consideration when a state is redistricting. Primarily, data from the Census conducted every 10 years which includes population shifts, specific demographics within communities such as race, age and religious beliefs and partisan affiliation.

In a response to protect the democratic majority in California, Newsom proposed Proposition 50 on a special election ballot. If Proposition  50 is passed, the Citizen  Independent  Redistricting Commission of California will redistrict  its   maps.    By    doing   so,  the districts  will  reflect  anywhere   from three   to  five   additional  democratic seats, potentially offsetting measures that the Republican Party has taken as seen in Texas.

Dr. Evan Crawford, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations, hosted a seminar with Professor Casey Dominguez regarding the issue last week. In an interview, Crawford expressed the importance of this decision. 

“It will affect next year’s elections, and they matter for representation and policy outcomes,” Crawford said. “If you are a registered voter in California, then it’s going to affect you for obvious reasons. Even if you are not a registered voter in California, we have evidence that other states may now pick up the scent of what Texas and California are doing, and they may seek to redraw their lines as well. No matter what we think, more informed citizenship is better to increase participation.” 

If Proposition 50 is passed in November, the redrawn congressional maps will be in place for the 2026 midterms, 2028 primary and 2032 midterm elections. USD sophomore Mazin Radwan voiced his opinion on why gerrymandering may be disadvantageous for members of minority communities.  

“I  think  we  have  had things like Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act put into place to kind of prevent this,” Radwan stated. “[States] insist that their intention is more important than the effect which I do not agree with. I feel like it affects marginalized communities negatively.”  

Every ten years, states are required to conduct a population census in order to redraw lines as they see fit. Regardless of whether Proposition 50 is passed or not, the independent commission of California will return in 2031.

While some  supporters believe that redistricting will help restore balance  to     the    United    States   House of Representatives, opponents  may argue  that it sets forth a dangerous and biased precedent    for    partisan  map-making.

Radwan communicated his initial concerns prior to reading the wording of the proposition. 

“I   did  not  want  a  butterfly  effect,”  Radwan said.  “[If    it is passed],  I    feel   that   it is going to create a lot of tension in a country where there is already so much division.”  

On the other hand, USD first-year Lexi Boyd highlights why Proposition 50 being passed may be beneficial in the long run.

“Normally I would not support Gerrymandering but I feel like we have gotten to a point where the Trump Administration is trying to gain power,” Boyd said. “If  California has the opportunity  to  balance  the scales then they should   take that.”

Americans eligible and registered to vote in California have until Nov. 4 to do so.

Governer Gavin Newsom addressed voters in August in support of Proposition 50. Photo courtesy of @cagoverner/Instagram