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All eyes are on California this fall as voters decide whether to approve Proposition 50, a partisan gerrymandering plan with significant stakes far beyond California’s borders — for control of the federal government, for President Donald Trump’s agenda and for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national ambitions.

Proposition 50 is the sole measure on the statewide Nov. 4 special election ballot. If approved, California would temporarily set aside its nonpartisan citizen redistricting commission and adopt new congressional lines that favor Democrats for the next three election cycles. (The 12th congressional district, which includes Berkeley and Oakland and is represented by Lateefah Simon, would be almost entirely unchanged.)

How to vote and key dates

Oct. 6: The Alameda County elections office will begin mailing out Nov. 4 ballots. You can also pick up a ballot (or vote) at an Early Voting site.

Oct. 7: Secure ballot drop-off boxes open.

Oct. 20: Last day to register to vote online for the special election. After Oct. 20, to register or re-register to vote, you must complete same-day voter registration and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.

Oct. 25: Some vote centers open for early in-person voting in Alameda County. More early vote centers open on Nov. 1

Nov. 4: Special Election 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Does everyone get a ballot in the mail?

Yes. Under state law, vote-by-mail ballots are sent to every active registered voter. 

When will I receive my mail-in-ballot?

Counties will begin mailing ballots by Oct. 6. 

Can I vote in person? Where is my polling place or vote center?

Yes, though mailing your ballot as soon as possible is the best way to get your vote counted fast. You can find out where to vote in the following ways: 

Check online 

Text “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)

Call the secretary of state’s hotline at (800) 345-VOTE 

Check the back of your county Voter Information Guide, or contact your county elections office 

Alameda County residents have increased options, including 11 days of in-person early voting.

What would Proposition 50 do?

Proposition 50 will determine how Californians are represented in the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed map flips the partisan advantage of five GOP-held House seats in the state and pulls more Democrats into five other swing districts, potentially leaving as few as four Republicans in California’s 52-member congressional delegation.

See districts that would be most affected by redistricting plan

The gambit, conceived by Newsom, thrusts California into a roiling nationwide redistricting arms race as Trump tries to protect his narrow Republican majority in Congress. The GOP held a five-member advantage after the last election, the smallest in decades.

Why is Proposition 50 on the ballot?

Facing sinking approval ratings and a tendency for the opposition party to gain seats in midterm elections, Trump fears Democrats could derail his policy agenda and ensnare his administration in investigations if they win back power in 2026.

This summer, he pressured Texas Republicans to call a special session and redraw the state’s congressional lines to eliminate five Democratic-held seats. Other conservative states may now follow suit.

Newsom pledged to offset those gains by adding five new Democratic-leaning seats in California. But unlike most states, where legislators decide the congressional map, California uses an independent commission created by the voters — so Newsom must go back to the ballot to get their permission for his plan.

The governor has argued that California must “fight fire with fire,” by gerrymandering Democratic districts to give the party a chance of winning back the House next year and counter Trump’s authoritarian policies. His aggressive advocacy against the president in recent months has made him a hero for some Democrats.

Republicans, who make up only a quarter of the California electorate, are scrambling to come up with a broadly appealing message to stop Proposition 50. Defeating the measure would not only save the GOP from political annihilation in the state but could also weaken Newsom ahead of an expected run for president in 2028.

Will your congressional district change if voters pass Newsom’s plan?

Funders

This story was first published on Berkeleyside on Sept. 22.

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