Proposition 50
Temporary Changes to Congressional Districts
Proposition 50 would change the California Constitution to replace maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission with new maps drawn by the California State Legislature. The new maps would be used in any congressional election through 2030 including those in 2026, 2028 and 2030. After the 2030 census, the Commission would return to drawing district lines using the rules set out by law.
The content for this PowerPoint includes nonpartisan information regarding the Ins and Outs of Proposition 50 and was developed primarily by the League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County and is based on the information found in the Easy Voter Guide. This document is available in both English and Spanish. You can find the new and old maps.
The following article was written by Kathy Pratt who serves on the board for the LWV Solano County and explains the position of the League on this important issue.
Proposition 50, You Decide
There is confusion around the position the League of Women Voters has taken on proposition 50. The League's Neutral Position on proposition 50 means they are not advocating yes or no.
The League continues to advocate for redistricting to be done by an independent, non-partisan commission. The League is against mid-cycle redistricting, unless it is discovered that a particular group is being disenfranchised. In that case, the League has gone to court with other voting rights groups to address the problem. When Texas decided to redraw its congressional districts mid-cycle for purely partisan reasons, the League was on record as being very much against this. The League has a history of fighting against both racial and partisan gerrymandering.
In 2008 the voters of California voted for an independent redistricting commission to draw the lines for state elections (proposition 11, the Voters First Act). The Citizens Redistricting Commission was formed, comprised of 14 members: 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans and 4 with no party affiliation. In 2010 the public voted for the Commission to also draw the Congressional district lines (Proposition 20, Voters First Act for Congress.) The League supports this kind of non-partisan redistricting commission to draw Congressional districts in every state.
The state of California is putting proposition 50 on the ballot so that the voters, not the legislature, will decide whether to temporarily use newly drawn Congressional districts, drawn up by the state. The districts were drawn to secure 5 more Democratic seats in Congress to balance the 5 Republican seats Texas secured in its redistricting. According to the text of proposition 50, after the 2030 census data is published the Citizens Redistricting Commission will resume the task of drawing Congressional district boundaries.
The final wording of proposition 50 addressed some of the League's concerns regarding mid-cycle partisan gerrymandering. Putting the decision to use re-drawn partisan maps before the voters (unlike Texas) and using them only until the next census (2030) resulted in the League of Women Voters California changing their position from No on 50 to Neutral on 50. The League will continue to advocate for independent Redistricting Commissions in all 50 states. The neutral position means the League does not advocate for or against proposition 50. But the league does encourage every eligible voter to vote in the November 4 election. Use vote 411.org for more information on the upcoming election and to make sure you are registered to vote.
Other useful resources include:
- https://my.lwv.org/california/stanislaus-county/article/ins-and-outs-proposition-50-webinar-recording-english-spanish
- Ins and Outs of Prop 50 English - October 7, 2025
- Ins and Outs of Prop 50 Spanish - October 7, 2025
