Special election Tuesday: California votes on Prop 50 redistricting

Special election Tuesday is here, with polls opening throughout Los Angeles County at 7 a.m. for the statewide vote on Proposition 50.

What is Proposition 50?

Prop 50 requires the temporary use of new congressional district maps through 2030, which are intended to increase the number of Democratic seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Supporters, including Governor Gavin Newsom, argue that replacing the current map is necessary to combat Republican-led redistricting efforts — backed by President Trump — in states like Texas. Republicans in Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana are also making moves that could add GOP House seats as well.

California Republicans say Prop 50 dismantles the independent safeguards that keep elections fair and could skew the 2026 midterm elections. California’s district map was drawn by an independent citizens’ commission.

If approved, Prop 50 would suspend the state’s current map until 2030 and replace it with districts drawn by Democrats. A yes vote on Prop 50 could flip as many as five Republican-held U.S. House seats to Democratic control.

Republicans currently hold a 219-213 majority in the U.S. House, with three vacancies.

On Monday, Newsom was out encouraging voters to approve Prop 50. “Prop 50 is not about drawing lines on a map. It is about holding the line to what makes us who we are … Yes on 50,” Newsom said.

State Sen. Tony Strickland (R), Huntington Beach, said Prop 50 won’t help Californians.

“It will be very hurtful for California, because now all of a sudden you don’t have representation that can actually work with the Trump administration and bring back different things for California,” Strickland said.

What do polls show heading into the election?

Less than two weeks before election day, an Emerson College poll found that 57% of likely California voters supported Prop 50, while 37% opposed it. Six percent remained undecided.

“Certain demographic groups that were hesitant to support the measure last month have come around to support Prop 50, such as Black voters, whose support increased from 45% to 71%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

When and where can I vote?

Polls will remain open to voters until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Voters can head to the following locations across Southern California:

Los Angeles County

• Vote center locations
• Ballot dropbox locations

Orange County

• Vote center locations
• Ballot dropbox locations

Riverside County

• Vote center locations
• Ballot dropbox locations

San Bernardino County

• Vote center locations
• Ballot dropbox locations

Ventura County

• Vote center and dropbox locations

Vote-by-mail ballots were sent out in early October and must be postmarked by Nov. 4.