Supporters and opponents of Proposition 50 are making their positions known in Stanislaus County ahead of the Nov. 4 California special election on congressional redistricting.
Proposition 50 was introduced following mid-decade redistricting in Texas, which resulted in the removal of five Democratic-held congressional seats at the request of the Trump administration. If passed, Proposition 50 would redraw California’s congressional maps to add five Democrat-leaning seats and temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission until after the next census.
Stanislaus County is among those most affected by potential changes to district boundaries. Several local groups have taken clear stances on the measure.
The Stanislaus County Republican Party and Stanislaus County Young Republicans are actively opposing Proposition 50. They have distributed lawn signs funded partly by Republican candidates for congressional District 13 and state Senate District 4. Joel Campos, who leads the county Republican Party, expressed confidence that voters will reject the proposition, noting a recent increase in Republican voter registration.
“We believe in the independent redistricting commission, we believe that that process helps keep faith in the government, when there is very little at the moment,” Campos said. “Contrary to what some others are saying, we don’t believe that Prop. 50 will keep the government accountable.”
Tom Orvis, governmental affairs director for the Farm Bureau of Stanislaus County, said his organization opposes Proposition 50 due to concerns about rural representation being diluted.
“In the proposal, if you’re in Modoc County, what does Marin County have to do with the way Modoc County operates? They are two very different parts of the world with two very different sets of needs,” he said. “We hope it loses.”
Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse joined with sheriffs from across California to sign a letter against Proposition 50.
On the other side, both local and statewide Democratic organizations support Proposition 50. The Stanislaus County Democratic Party has encouraged its members to vote yes on the measure.
Lise Talbot, chair of the local Democratic Party, described support as a response to actions taken in Texas: “They’re doing this without voter input – gerrymandering their congressional districts, and California is trying to level the playing field by redistributing our current congressional district maps a bit over the next two cycles,” Talbot said. “At the next census, it will go back to the redistricting commission that we have.”
Labor groups such as North Valley Labor Federation are organizing canvassing efforts for passage of Proposition 50. Will Kelly, executive director of North Valley Labor Federation, stated: “Prop. 50 is the thing that can give us a fighting chance to flip control of the House of Representatives, so we’re all in,” Kelly said. “We are talking to our members, we’re talking to voters and we’re making sure folks get out to the polls and vote early and make sure they get their vote and it gets counted.”
The Modesto/Stanislaus branch of NAACP released a statement backing Proposition 50 as well. Wendy Byrd, president of this chapter explained: “We are trying to reach out so that everybody knows, because this is a much bigger picture and everyone is going to pay a price,” she said.
Byrd added that Proposition 50 aims to strengthen fair maps so communities of color can be heard.
Texas’ latest redistricting plan faces legal challenges over allegations it discriminates based on race.
The League of Women Voters has opted not to take an official stance on this proposition despite having established positions regarding redistricting measures previously. Amy Wolfe heads up Stanislaus’ league chapter; she noted that time constraints prevented them from conducting their usual process before deciding on neutrality.
“We just want to encourage voters to do their due diligence and ensure they understand what that ‘yes’ vote and that ‘no’ vote means and most importantly, to exercise your right to vote,” Wolfe said.
Earlier this month—on Oct. 7—the League held an informational session explaining possible impacts should Proposition 50 pass locally.
Election day is set for Nov. 4; however mail-in ballots are already being accepted throughout California counties as early voting centers open starting Oct. 25 across Stanislaus county locations where residents may also drop off completed ballots or register same-day at polling sites if they missed mail registration deadlines.
