ON NOV. 4, Californians will vote on Proposition 50 in a special election. The outcome of this vote will determine whether Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to redraw the state’s congressional districts map will go into effect. Here’s everything people need to know about this election.
What is Proposition 50?
In August, Newsom announced a statewide effort to redraw the state’s congressional district map to favor Democratic candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The move, he said, was a response to President Donald Trump’s push to redraw the congressional district map in Texas to favor Republican candidates.
Generally, congressional maps are redrawn at the start of every decade following the decennial census. However, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a mid-decade push to redraw congressional maps is emerging in Republican-majority states like Missouri, Kansas, and Florida, as well as Democratic-majority states like New York and Maryland.
Who can vote?
U.S. citizens older than 18 years of age, who are living in California, are eligible to vote in this special election if they are not found to be mentally incompetent to vote by a court. Individuals with prior criminal records are also eligible to vote if they are not currently serving a federal or state prison term for a felony conviction.
How can you vote?
Voters need to register to vote in this special election and can register online here.
The last date to register online to vote is Monday. If someone misses the deadline to register online, they can avail of same-day registration at polling centers, early voting locations, or their county election office.
Registered voters will automatically receive their vote-by-mail ballots. Voters can cast these ballots by mail or in person at secure ballot drop-off boxes.
Early voting locations will also be operational starting Oct. 25 and will offer replacement ballots, same-day voter registration, and voting machines.
For those who choose to vote on Election Day, Nov. 4, voting centers will remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those in line when voting centers close still have a right to cast their vote.
People can find their nearest ballot drop-off location, early voting location, or voting center here.
Access the full voter guide on Proposition 50 here.
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