What is Prop 50

 

Amidst the fight for US Congress control, Proposition 50 was introduced to redistrict California. Several States are known to have gerrymandered districts, and the golden state is no exception to that trend. The aim of the proposition is to increase the amount of Democratic representatives in Congress. Out of the 9 Republican Representatives that have been previously elected in California, 5 of them are being targeted for potential seat flips. 

 

The Inland Empire is at the center of a political transformation with Prop 50. While Proposition 50 may seem like a technical redistricting problem, it is in direct response to gerrymandering in states like Texas, that aim to boost Republican control.

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As seen above, the 41st district is a prime example of gerrymandering runs through the west side of Riverside county, stretching southeast to the outer limits of the city of Indio and east to Palm Springs, at the same time wrapping around the cities of Moreno Valley, Hemet, and the majority of Riverside to exclude them from the district. According to the California Secretary of State, District 41 currently has 497,897 registered voters, 35.16% being registered democrats and 36.88% being registered republicans. The other Riverside Representative, Mark Takano of District 39, contains 397,566 voters, 43.86% of them being registered democrats. If the Proposition were to pass the district would remain relatively unchanged. 

 

If approved by voters, Proposition 50 would replace California’s citizen commission drawn congressional map with the Legislature’s AB 604 plan for the 2026–2030 elections.  In the Inland Empire, District 41  represented by Ken Calvert and District 23 represented by Jay Obernolte will likely switch from Republican to Democrat. Calvert’s district would lose much of its Republican-leaning base in southwest Riverside County and gain Democratic areas in Los Angeles, while Obernolte’s High Desert district would absorb more urban communities from San Bernardino.

 

Special Elections take place when a vote is needed for critical issues, but are more common to fill vacancies in public offices. Last November 959,098 out of the 1,372,548 (69%) registered voters casted their vote. Meanwhile, in the last statewide special election only 27% of registered voters marked their ballot. 

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Redistricting happens every 10 years, after the census, to adjust districts according to changes of population. Districts are required to hold roughly the same number of people to ensure equal representation in Congress. With such a low voter turnout in special elections it is alarming that so many people will go without voicing their opinion about Prop 50. 

 

CA Assembly Candidates Running In Areas Being Redistricted 

 

After being elected as the candidate for the republican party in the 63rd District Assembly special election Natasha Johnson is now the elected Assemblywoman, with 53.9% of the votes. Johnson had served as a Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman since 2012 as well as three terms as mayor, making her a strong candidate for those looking for a representative with prior experience in office, and received endorsement from her predecessor, Bill Asseyli.

 

Johnson's key issues are on public safety, cost of living, education, and the homelessness crisis. Since being elected, she has echoed the republican party’s views on immigration, especially when considering legislation like AB 495 and SB 627. Similarly she has shown opposition to climate initiatives through bills like AB 1207. She is also opposed to California’s retaliatory redistricting proposition, Prop 50.

 

Chris Shoults was the elected candidate for the democratic party in the 63rd District Assembly special election. Before this, he had no prior political position in the government. His environmental policies include a reduction in fossil fuels and pollution, an increase in renewable energy, environmental protection through more conservation of land, and environmental sustainability. 

 

Chris Shoults received 46.1% of the votes, falling slightly short of Natasha Johnson’s 53.9% of the votes. Some reasons as to why he lost could be lack of political experience or his vague policies.

 

Both incumbents have records of opposing major environmental legislation, including votes against stricter vehicle emissions standards, renewable energy measures, and climate funding. In terms of securing federal grants and investments for environmental and sustainable development, Calvert has secured $9 million for habitat conservation, $10 million for emissions-reduction water projects, and $67 million in infrastructure with environmental components. Obernolte’s record is smaller, with a $1.75 million EPA drought grant and modest water basin funding.

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Impacts on the Climate and Environmental Policy

 

Inland Empire Democrats have taken more initiative in prioritizing climate resilience and sustainable development. Inland empire democratic representatives have advocated for and backed legislation advancing clean air standards, renewable energy development, and climate resilience initiatives.  They typically align their voting behavior with broader sustainability goals and emphasize securing federal funding for these programs and investments for their districts. 

 

Raul Ruiz has delivered eighteen million dollars for grid modernization and helped direct twenty-two million from the federal Salton Sea restoration fund. Mark Takano has secured over fifteen million dollars for electric buses and solar workforce training, while Pete Aguilar has brought in fourteen million for San Bernardino’s first public EV charging network, 1.5 million for a clean energy technician program, and 2.6 million for electric buses and charging infrastructure.

 

If Democrats were elected in Districts 41 and 23 as a direct result of Prop 50, their environmental priorities could resemble those of other Inland Empire Democrats, who have generally supported renewable energy, clean transit, and climate resilience initiatives while securing related federal funding. This would not guarantee specific outcomes, but it could suggest these districts would receive more federal funding for environmental and sustainable development, as well as see more benefit from environmental legislation at a federal level.

 

If Prop 50 were to pass, 5 of the 30 districts in SoCal will remain the same. The proposition will set the standards for redistricting until 2030. To counter the gerrymandering in Texas, Prop 50 will facilitate taking out Republican incumbents. 

 

It is important that voters get informed before November 4th, go vote, and if the proposition were to pass, stay up to date with who represents them. The UC Riverside community is set to change, but it is up to our voices to stay represented. 

 

Key Words

Gerrymander:  the practice of drawing congressional districts in a manner that gives an advantage to one specific party

Incumbent: The individual currently holding office

Prop 50: The Election Rigging Response Act 

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