A version of this story was originally published by CalMatters.
Monday was the last day to register online to vote in the Nov. 4 special election, where Californians will decide whether to approve Proposition 50, a partisan gerrymandering plan with significant stakes far beyond the Golden State’s borders.
Prop. 50, the sole measure on the statewide Nov. 4 special election ballot, will impact the struggle for control of the federal government, including President Donald Trump’s agenda and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national ambitions.
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. Republicans hold a 219-213 majority in the U.S. House, with three vacancies.
How to vote and key dates
Prop. 50 early voting sites
You can cast your Prop. 50 ballot in-person in Richmond on Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza; Sat., Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Early voting is also open at the Clerk-Recorder’s office in Martinez now through Mon., Nov. 3, 555 Escobar St., on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Secure ballot drop-off boxes will also be open.
By now you should have received your ballot from the Contra Costa County elections office. You can also pick up a ballot (and/or vote) at an early voting site. In Richmond, early voting is open Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza; Sat., Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting is also open at the Clerk-Recorder’s office in Martinez now through Mon., Nov. 3, 555 Escobar St., on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Secure ballot drop-off boxes will also be open.
Today (Oct. 20) is the last day you can register to vote online for the special election. After Oct. 20, to register or re-register to vote, you must complete a same-day voter registration form and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location.
Oct. 28: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Oct. 31: Early in-person voting opens at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
Nov. 4: Special Election 2025.
Here is a list of Contra Costa County ballot drop boxes:
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?
The county mailed ballots in early October.
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.
What will Proposition 50 do if it passes?
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. The 8th congressional district, which includes Richmond and is represented by Rep. John Garamendi, a Democrat up for election in 2026, would see a slight decrease in the percentage of registered Democrats, dropping from 58% Democrat to 52% while the number of registered Republican voters would increase 5%, to 19%.)
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.
Last 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
Obama endorses Prop. 50 with ad
Barack Obama entered the Prop. 50 fight last week by appearing in a 30-second ad urging California voters to the measure.
“Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years,” Obama says in the ad, looking directly into the camera. “You can stop Republicans in their tracks.”
Republicans and other opponents say the proposal amounts to a Democratic power grab that would set aside district lines crafted by an independent commission that was created by voters more than a decade ago.
The duel between California and Texas, the nation’s two most populous states, has spread nationally. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders announced plans Monday to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map, taking up Trump’s call to secure more GOP seats nationwide and resist rival moves by Democrats.
If approved in California, it could boost the Democratic margin to 48 of California’s 52 congressional seats, up from the 43 seats the party now holds.
Commentary
- Yes on Prop 50: As checks and balances fade, Prop. 50 gives Californians a chance to hold the line
- No on Prop 50: Why California voters should reject Prop. 50 and stay out of the redistricting wars
CalMatters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
