The 2025 election will be the first time the class of 2026 will be able to vote, with many Terra Linda seniors turning eighteen. As a result, these students will be able to vote on one of the most controversial measures on the ballot this year: Proposition 50.
Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, would require new congressional district maps to be used in all of California’s congressional elections until 2030. This ballot measure was created to combat Texas lawmaker’s decision to redistrict that state in order to gain five new seats in the House of Representatives.
Back in July 2025, President Donald Trump ordered Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, to move around the congressional district in order to raise the party’s chances of continuing control over the House. The redistricting would allow the Republican party to gain more power in certain districts, gaining the party five additional seats in the House. Abbott agreed, and Texas’ districts were altered.
Normally, state districts are redistricted every ten years to accurately portray the population changes of each state. However, the redistricting of Texas differs from the norm in two significant ways: The redistricting is happening mid-century, and is aiming to raise the power of one political party. The latter qualifies it as political gerrymandering.
Gerrymandering has been used for decades to advantage a particular party, group, or socioeconomic class. Usually, the redistricting is achieved through the methods of “cracking” groups apart or “packing” smaller groups together. While gerrymandering is usually looked down upon, it was recently ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court to be completely legal. “Whether or not you like it, it is constitutional,” shares A.P. U.S. History, A.P. World History, and AVID 12 teacher Mr. Robins. In the case of Texas, redistricting was used in order to boost the power of the Republican party, specifically by raising the likelihood of the party winning five House seats.
Initially, California governor Gavin Newsom responded to Texas’ redistricting by sending a letter to Trump. This letter stated that California would not redistrict if all other states called off their own efforts. When the president did not respond, Newsom launched his own redistricting plan for the state: Proposition 50. Newsom has already signed the bill, so it’s up to California voters whether the state will redistrict, gaining five seats back for the Democrats.
While many older California voters are aware of the special election and sending in their votes, most voting-eligible students at Terra Linda don’t know the full story. “I’ve been hearing a lot about [Prop 50] from the news and social media, but I don’t really know what to think about it because I haven’t verified my sources,” shares senior Allie Marovich. “I’m not completely sure what it is, to be honest.” Many other seniors think similarly, having seen ad campaigns on Instagram and TikTok without any truly verifiable information. Although they might have seen the name of the measure paired with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, they don’t know for sure the details. “I think I need to do more research before I vote,” Marovich says.
Most voters who support Proposition 50 are thinking about equalizing things. “I’m going to vote yes on Prop 50,” shares teacher resident Mr. Gabbard. “I think that California needs to do something about what’s going on with our elections.” While Gabbard doesn’t completely agree with gerrymandering, he recognizes that the proposition is necessary to win back the House seats and level the playing field. Mr. Robins agrees: “The attempt is not out of nowhere. It comes again in context.”, Robins shared. Many pro-Prop 50 voters acknowledge that gerrymandering may be morally grey, but believe that passing the proposition is necessary to combat previous actions. If Texas had not redistricted, there would be no need for California’s proposition to be on the ballot.
On the other side, voters who oppose Prop 50 find it hard to get past the problem of gerrymandering. “I would argue that the pro-Prop 50 voters are that we’re trying to create a level playing field. But you’re creating a level playing field on a mudslide,” again shares Robins. “Gerrymandering implies that democracy doesn’t work. Why else would you have to create regions and representative districts based on what feels like somewhat nebulous or arbitrary reasons unless you can’t make a legitimate argument in case for yourself”. Is it worth it to put democracy aside to try to make things “fair”? In the end, voters on Proposition 50 really have to weigh whether the ends justify the means.
California voters are fairly split on whether or not to pass the bill, although recent polls by Emerson College on voters show “51% plan to vote in favor of Proposition 50… Thirty-four percent plan to vote no, and 15% are undecided.” If these numbers continue, residents can expect their California to be redistricted. Whether or not the bill is passed, the gerrymandering of both Texas and California raises questions about the future of American politics: Can elections ever be fair if the states aren’t following the same rules?
