Vote NO on Proposition 50: Stop the $250 Million Power Grab That California Can’t Afford
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Your Ballot is Already in the Mail!
California voters face a critical decision that will determine whether politicians can redraw their own electoral districts while wasting a quarter of a billion taxpayer dollars during the worst budget crisis in years. Proposition 50 represents nothing more than a desperate power grab by Governor Newsom and Democratic legislators who are willing to abandon fair elections and fiscal responsibility for partisan political gain.
A Financial Disaster During California’s Budget Crisis
At a time when California faces a staggering $12 billion budget deficit, Governor Newsom has forced taxpayers to fund a completely unnecessary special election costing an estimated $250 million. This astronomical expense comes as the state makes painful cuts to essential services that affect every California family – from education funding to healthcare programs to infrastructure maintenance.
The timing couldn’t be more irresponsible. While working families across the state tighten their belts and local governments slash vital programs, our elected officials are willing to spend a quarter of a billion dollars on what amounts to a political scheme designed to benefit their party’s electoral prospects. This is fiscal recklessness at its worst, prioritizing political power over public need.
Every dollar spent on this unnecessary election is a dollar not available for schools, roads, public safety, or the social services that Californians desperately need. When families are struggling with inflation and rising costs, the last thing they need is politicians wasting their tax money on expensive political games.
Abandoning Fair Elections for Partisan Gerrymandering
Proposition 50 would abandon California’s successful independent redistricting system, which relies on the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw fair congressional maps. Instead, it would implement new district maps drawn by the very politicians who benefit from the outcome – a textbook example of conflict of interest that violates every principle of fair representation.
This represents a fundamental betrayal of California voters who specifically chose to remove politicians from the redistricting process. The independent redistricting system was created because Californians understood a basic truth: politicians shouldn’t be allowed to choose their own voters. Fair elections require neutral processes, not maps drawn by those who benefit from the outcome.
The Citizens Redistricting Commission has proven highly effective at creating balanced maps that respect community boundaries while ensuring fair representation for all Californians. By contrast, Proposition 50 would return us to the bad old days of partisan gerrymandering, where electoral districts are carved up to benefit political parties rather than serve communities.
A Manufactured Crisis to Justify a Power Grab
Proponents claim Proposition 50 is necessary to counter redistricting efforts in other states, but this argument crumbles under scrutiny. California already has one of the nation’s most robust and fair redistricting processes. We don’t need to abandon our successful system to respond to problems in other states – that’s like burning down your house because your neighbor’s roof is leaking.
The real motivation becomes clear when examining the projected impact: Democratic legislators and Governor Newsom are seeking to redraw maps in ways that could potentially gain additional congressional seats for their party. This is precisely the kind of partisan manipulation that independent redistricting was designed to prevent.
Multiple county boards of supervisors, including Kern County, have formally opposed Proposition 50, recognizing both its fiscal irresponsibility and its threat to democratic principles. These local officials understand that good governance requires putting public interest above partisan politics.
The True Cost to Democracy
Beyond the immediate $250 million price tag, Proposition 50 threatens something far more valuable: the integrity of our electoral system. When politicians draw their own districts, they create safe seats that reduce competition, limit voter choice, and weaken accountability. Communities get split apart or artificially combined based on political calculations rather than shared interests and natural boundaries.
This undermines the fundamental principle that voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. Fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and Proposition 50 would chip away at that foundation for short-term political gain.
The measure would also set a dangerous precedent. Other states could point to California’s retreat from independent redistricting to justify their own partisan gerrymandering schemes, undermining reform efforts nationwide.
Your Vote Can Stop This Power Grab – Here’s How
Your ballot should already be in your mailbox! All registered California voters received their vote-by-mail ballots starting October 6, 2025. If you haven’t received yours yet, contact your county elections office immediately – time is running out to stop this costly scheme.
Three Ways to Vote NO on Proposition 50:
Mail Your Ballot Back:
- Fill out your ballot at home and mark NO on Proposition 50
- Mail it immediately – must be postmarked by November 4, 2025
- Don’t wait – mail delays could invalidate your vote!
Use a Ballot Drop Box:
- Drop off your completed ballot at any official drop box
- Deadline: 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Find locations at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
Vote in Person:
- Polling hours: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Bring your mail ballot or vote on the machines
- Find your polling location at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
Critical Deadlines:
- November 4, 2025: Election Day – polls close at 8:00 PM sharp
- November 4, 2025: Final deadline for mailing ballots (postmark)
- November 4, 2025: Ballot drop boxes lock at 8:00 PM
Spread the Word – Every Vote Counts in Special Elections
Governor Newsom and Democratic legislators are counting on low turnout! Special elections typically see much lower participation than regular elections, which is exactly what they’re hoping for. They’re betting most Californians won’t notice this $250 million waste during the holiday season.
Don’t let them get away with it.
Tell Everyone You Know:
Family and Friends:
- Call, text, and talk to everyone in your network
- Explain how Proposition 50 wastes money and undermines fair elections
- Share this information on social media with #NoOnProp50
Neighbors and Coworkers:
- Discuss the issue at community gatherings and workplace breaks
- Post in neighborhood apps like Nextdoor
- Leave informational materials where permitted
Make it Personal:
- Remind people that this election affects their tax bills and voting rights
- Emphasize that politicians shouldn’t draw their own districts
- Point out the hypocrisy of wasteful spending during a budget crisis
Why This Election Matters More Than Most
In special elections, your individual vote carries extra weight because fewer people participate. That means your voice – and the voices of everyone you convince to vote NO – can have a decisive impact on stopping this power grab.
When politicians prioritize their own political interests over fiscal responsibility and fair elections, that’s exactly when citizen engagement matters most. This is your opportunity to send a clear message that Californians won’t tolerate waste and won’t accept the corruption of our electoral system.
The Choice is Clear
California faces a simple choice: Do we allow politicians to waste $250 million on redrawing electoral maps for their own benefit, or do we defend fiscal responsibility and fair elections?
Vote NO on Proposition 50 to:
- Save taxpayers $250 million during a severe budget crisis
- Protect independent redistricting and prevent partisan gerrymandering
- Preserve fair elections where voters choose representatives, not vice versa
- Send a message that political power grabs won’t be tolerated
Take Action Today
Don’t wait until Election Day – act now:
- Find your ballot in today’s mail
- Mark NO on Proposition 50
- Return your ballot immediately via mail or drop box
- Tell five people to vote NO and help them make their plan
- Follow up to ensure everyone votes by November 4
Set reminders on your phone: VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 50 BY NOVEMBER 4, 2025
California deserves better than politicians who put party power above public good. Your vote can stop this expensive scheme and defend the principles of fair elections and fiscal responsibility that make democracy work.
The power is in your hands. Use it.
