With the Nov. 4 special election just a few days away, the question of whether Proposition 50 will pass is still up in the air.
Proposition 50, introduced by the California Legislature, would let the Legislature redraw the Congressional district maps before the 2030 census, instead of the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The Legislature introduced Proposition 50 after the Texas Legislature redrew its Congressional district maps, which would give Republicans an extra five seats in the House ahead of the 2026 midterms.
“I will be voting no,” said Joseph Malcolm, a Media, Communications and Journalism student at Fresno State. “Although what Trump is doing with Texas isn’t right, it doesn’t mean California should jump around the laws that it has set already just so they can right a wrong.”
The redrawn maps are projected to take away five Republican seats, including the Central Valley’s own David Valadao. The redrawn map would also split a Clovis neighborhood off of Gettysburg and Sunnyside avenues into three different districts.
One part of the redrawn map that is raising concerns for Valley voters is the proposed 18th Congressional District. This map’s proposed redrawn lines would include the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley, which is worth about $1 trillion, and Huron, which is considered one of the poorest cities in California.
“I worry that if the agriculture communities lose their representation in D.C., it can cause issues with farming sustainability,” Malcolm said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom spearheaded the introduction of Proposition 50, saying California will “fight fire with fire.”
Multiple Democratic leaders have been outspoken about their support of Proposition 50. Former President Barack Obama has been one of the most vocal supporters, saying that the proposition is essential for American democracy to continue.
According to a poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, Proposition 50 is expected to pass, with 56% of voters who would vote yes, and 43% who would vote no.
Early voting has begun for Proposition 50, with those either dropping off their mail-in ballots or voting early at the polls in person.
Fresno County’s polls are being monitored until Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, per the decision of Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to Bondi, the Justice Department is monitoring six jurisdictions: Fresno County, Kern County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County and Passaic County in New Jersey.
The decision to monitor five counties in California ahead of the special election came from a request from the California Republican Party, saying in a statement on X that recent elections in the five counties have had “reports of irregularities” that they believe will “undermine” voters.
Fresno State students interested in voting in the special election can cast their ballot at the Student Recreation Center on Election Day, which will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., or students can drop off their mail-in ballot at the drop-box in front of Maya Cinemas at Campus Pointe from now until Tuesday.
