In California we currently have 52 congressional seats. Of those seats, Democrats have 43 and Republicans have nine. Should Proposition 50 pass, it is possible the Democrats will increase their numbers to 48 representatives and decrease Republican representation to four, based on a proposed map Democrats have developed.
For that map to become a reality, voters are being asked to suspend Article XXI of the California constitution, which established via voter approval the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, and allow politicians to draw new lines.
In 2008 and 2010, voters passed Proposition 11 and the Proposition 20, which created the redistricting commission to draw lines for legislative and congressional districts. This 14-member commission is made up of five Republicans, five Democrats and four persons not affiliated with either of the major parties. In 2011 and again in 2021, the commission drew district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population to provide fair representation for all Californians.
This process has given voters confidence that districts are not designed to help one party over another. That process has worked. Under the commission, there is more public visibility. There is community input. Allowing congressional maps to be drawn by politicians reduces transparency and sidesteps much public involvement.
To make changes to our congressional maps based on what the Texas Legislature is doing in their state is irresponsible. Our 52 House members represent California voters, and Democrats should not be engaging in retaliation based on what another state is doing. District maps in California are to ensure California voters choose their representatives.
If Prop. 50 passes, the majority of California’s 58 counties will take on unnecessary burdens, including one-time costs of up to a few million dollars statewide. Counties will have to shift from one congressional district to another. Local election offices will have additional demands on them, including updating election materials to reflect new congressional district maps and precinct maps. Voter rolls will need to be updated. Voter guides, voter education materials and websites will require updates. Candidate filings will need to be adjusted.
Educating voters about their new districts while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and adapting to deadlines to implement map changes will need to take place. Staff will need to be trained around these changes and updating software will be necessary. The 2026 congressional election (and those through 2030) will have to conduct elections based on the new district lines.
Placing these additional hardships on already burdened county elections offices while they have been working hard these past few years to navigate the complexities of current election laws is unreasonable.
Governmental entities deserve balance so that ideals and visions are shared by all parties. California, under a Democrat majority in all levels of government, is failing its citizens. We have high crime, gang violence, homelessness, students not reaching grade-level standards and students with no solid direction or sense of purpose once they leave school. We have high taxes, roads that need repair, property rights being attacked, water mismanagement and strangling climate regulations. There are too many hurdles for small businesses to be successful. The bureaucracy hinders our ability to get things done at the county and city levels. Young people cannot afford a home because of the cost of living and the list goes on.
Democrat policies are damaging Californians. Republicans have solutions, but the imbalance of ideas and the inability to hear and implement these ideas in the state Legislature keeps our state in chaos. In addition, without Republican voices in Congress, we’ll have less resistance to federal gun legislation and regulation of firearms. Taxes will continue to rise, property rights will continue to be in jeopardy, and our pursuit of happiness will continue to decline. Government needs balance.
We urge a no vote on Proposition 50.
Debbie LeBoy is chair of the Sonoma County Republican Party.