to be or not to be: prop 50 spurs record voter turnout prompting hope for local dems

submitted by eric reyes, citizen journalist
edited by sarina e. guerra
formatted by justin orsino

The politically polarizing and tumultuous California Proposition 50 on the November
ballot aroused so many emotions and prompted action on all sides of the political spectrum. This counter move made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, and now approved by the voters of California, was initiated in response to the request by President Trump for the Texas legislature to change and effectively gerrymander five (5) Congressional Districts to favor Republican candidates in next year’s Congressional Elections. This announcement drew nationwide attention and intense debate throughout California, including here locally in the Imperial Valley, with voters speaking out on various social media platforms and in public debates during city council and county supervisor meetings. These local elected bodies then voted to endorse a NO vote on this particular proposition.

The issue surrounding Proposition 50 to suspend the independent redistricting commission for three (3) years and allow the Democrat dominated State Legislature to draw up the Congressional Districts for next year’s midterms has to be seen for what it is…

& for what
it is Not.

It is a direct response to the gerrymandering in Texas put forth by Governor Newsom and the Democrat Party of California. That was made clear at the forefront of the campaign prior to its passing. No runaround, misinformation, or fake news as to why Democrats wanted this measure, despite the opposition attempting to paint it in a different light. This ultimately did not work and the electorate was willing and able to move forward with a YES vote. I believe there were no hidden agendas, and the way it was written was forthright in its intention and the temporary nature of it. Whether or not the proposition returns to voters with a more permanent scope, as the opposition has stated, only time will tell, but currently Proposition 50 is temporary and seeks to rectify the gerrymandering in Texas that was evidently not approved by voters.

Locally, I noticed the public responded well to voter information sharing and I am hopeful there will be a large turnout motivated by vocal opposition and the proponents who vigorously comment and campaign on many platforms in favor of their respective position. The vote is convincing, with 60% voting YES and approving the proposition here in Imperial Valley, which is in line with the State vote of 64% YES. The margin of approval is as convincing as you may have in any election, removing the suspicion of any ill intent on the part of the voter. Republican opposition continues to promote the idea that voters did not know what they were voting for (questioning our intellectual capacity?), and believes that the passing of Prop 50 will dilute representation in rural areas such as Imperial County, implying that constituents here will lose in the long-term. I believe the voters made their choice clear that even if there is a consequence for our rural community, we are willing to support the national movement to curb the power grab of the current administration as well as continue to fight for the greater good. I think this election has shown that we are willing to take our chances on diluted representation, and have faith that we as a whole will continue to have…

fair
Representation &
access to
Resources.

As a long-time advocate for voter turnout–and yes, an unabashed Democratic Party member and advocate for Democrat representation (I will not misrepresent myself as so many others do)–I have long been frustrated with generations of low voter turnout in Imperial County. Despite continuous efforts to improve voter turnout, Imperial County ranks near the bottom and many times dead last in voter turnout statewide election after election. In this Special Election, we saw many more people motivated by the current political environment as well as an increased need to be politically active and to participate in protests. Thousands of locals came out for peaceful demonstrations in conjunction with national protests in response to the current Administration’s policies and the impacts recent decisions have had on their own lives and the lives of people they know. This increase in local activism made for a voter turnout that was larger than most other Special Elections, which is traditionally lower than even the regularly low voter turnout for Regular Elections like School Boards, City Councils, County Supervisors, Governor and Presidential Primaries. Turnout for Prop 50 surpassed even the 2024 Presidential Primary stats which were an embarrassingly low 22%, and matched the 2022 Governor’s General Election which included local School Boards, Supervisors, City Councils and other state seats in the Assembly, State, Senate and Congress. Only the Presidential General Elections draw larger than 50% of eligible voters, but this election was a definite sign of voter interest and participation, and we hope to continue to move more people to vote in next year’s elections.

This upswing in voter participation has had many factors influence this outcome, but I am heartened by the opportunity being presented to all of us to stay engaged and have more people join in on the democratic process. The more people who participate, the more we can ensure a true democratic process for The People can remain, preventing…

the interests of a few
from Driving Decisions
for the Majority.

I ask, urge, plead, and beg for all voters to be informed, engaged and participate in the next elections. Our future as a Democratic Republic based on democratic principles depends on it!