According to Heather Cox Richardson, more than 8 million people attended a No Kings Day event across the US on Saturday, October 18th. At No Kings events here in California, many people held signs promoting “Yes on Proposition 50,” and a group literally “drew a line in the sand” at Ocean Beach.
Please vote by mail right away, or vote in person on Tuesday, November 4th, for Prop 50. We are reminding you to submit your ballot ASAP and tell your friends!
Why Proposition 50?
California has had a bipartisan-friendly Citizens Redistricting Commission since 2010. Until recently, states only redistricted every 10 years, timing their efforts to the US Census. (The Census is conducted every 10 years, as mandated by Article I of the US Constitution.)
The Republican Party currently holds a narrow lead in the US House of Representatives, which they are expected to lose in 2026. To artificially engineer a Republican victory, President Trump is dictating that Republican states conduct unprecedented, aggressive mid-term gerrymanders. (AP story here.) These moves are expected to gain Republicans five seats in Texas alone.
To redress the balance, California Governor Gavin Newsom has championed a short-term response: Proposition 50, which was approved by the California Legislature in August for inclusion on this November’s ballot, and which expires in 2030.
What Proposition 50 Does
Here’s a description of California Proposition 50:
- Proposition 50 redraws California House districts
- It’s expected to deliver five additional Democratic seats
- In 2030, the Citizens Redistricting Commission regains control
If you have questions about Prop 50, or want to share information with friends, please forward them this email. Also, check out this FAQ from the California Democratic Party for details.
Vote Yes on Prop 50 to Help Save a Livable Climate
350 Bay Area Action usually takes a position only on climate change and climate justice issues. However, President Trump and House Republicans are taking aggressive steps to eliminate climate action and to promote fossil fuels. This includes taking away the right of California to set its own climate policies. California’s policies have served as a model, across the US and internationally.
All of this is taking place as greenhouse gas emissions rise to record levels and climate impacts accelerate. As a result, while California Proposition 50 is not climate-specific, we see it as vital to preserving climate change efforts. So we urge you to Vote Yes on Prop 50!
Take Action Where you Live: Canvassing, Phone-Banking, and Postcarding
- Mobilize.us: Canvas and phonebank. To get personalized results, click “Yes on Prop 50.” Then click “filters” to put in your zip code or city. (If you want virtual only, click “show virtual events only.”) Apply your filters, and you’ll get personalized results.
- Take action with the California Democratic Party: Canvas and phonebank. Same navigation as above.
- Bay Area Coalition: Canvas and phonebank. From the landing page, click the Take Action for Prop 50 phone banks or canvases. Canvases listed by region.
Be sure to vote; the earlier the better. Tell your friends and post on your social media.
Thanks for working to build a livable future.