Voters around the country will be watching the results on Nov. 4 of Proposition 50, a measure put on California's statewide ballot by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Democrats. If it passes, it would redraw House districts in California to benefit Democrats in the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. Supporters say it is needed to offset President Trump's push to redraw House districts in Texas and other Republican states heading into the 2026 elections, when control of Congress will be up for grabs.
But after President Trump persuaded Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to redraw his state's maps in order to improve Republican chances of retaining control of Congress in 2026, Von Wilpert said she decided California's only option was to fight back with new maps of its own, favoring Democrats. There's too much at stake for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized Californians to do otherwise, said Von Wilpert - who is