Proposition 50 FAQ

CFA members believe in higher education for the public good, a democratic voice for academic employees, and collective bargaining for better wages and working conditions. Under the Trump Administration and The Republican control of Congress, we’ve seen attacks on unions, academic freedom, free speech, shared governance, and higher education as a public good. 

We have a duty to defend democracy.  

Trump told Texas Republicans in early August that they were “entitled to five more seats” in Texas. This  moved the state GOP to redraw congressional lines in an unprecedented power grab to rig the 2026 midterm election to manufacture Republican control in Congress in a year they are predicted to lose seats and control, which would potentially stop Trump’s worst policy decisions that are putting working class people in harm’s way. The Texas legislature and governor signed the new districts into law without giving the people any input.  

In California, the legislature and governor are democratically putting power in the hands of voters to approve emergency congressional district maps. Prop 50 is an effort to defend democracy and make sure the 2026 election is conducted on a level playing field. 

This map is temporary. It would be used in the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections before expiring.  

Prop 50 would retain the California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s authority to draw congressional districts as usual after the 2030 Census.  

Sacramento-based veteran data consultant Paul Mitchell led the process of drawing the map. Mitchell is Vice President of Political Data Inc., a bipartisan voter data firm, and owner of Redistricting Partners, a demography firm specializing in redistricting. 

Yes, the proposed new congressional map complies with the Voting Rights Act, and maintains districts that are majority Black in California and increases the chance of more majority Latino/a districts.