As votes are tallied across the state, Prop. 50 appears to pass despite strong opposition in Shasta
The proposition will temporarily gerrymander the congressional districts of California and is likely to disempower conservative voters in next year’s midterm election.
As of the latest figures, the controversial proposition designed to weaken Republican voter representation has passed in California. Thus far, election workers across California have completed an initial count of vote-by-mail ballots received before Election Day as well as those that were cast in person on Election Day.
The Shasta County Elections Office election office has not yet tallied vote-by-mail ballots that arrived after Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots that were dropped off on the day of the election also still need to be counted.
Prop. 50 appeared on yesterday’s ballot for the Nov. 4 special election across California. Voters in Redding also had a chance to vote on Measure A, a local sales tax increase.
As of 5:50 a.m. Nov. 5, statewide approval of the proposition was leading by 63.8%. In Shasta County, the proposition was failing with more than 69% of voters against it.
Prop. 50, known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” is California’s response to President Donald Trump’s push for Texas to gerrymander some of its congressional districts earlier this year, which could have otherwise ensured Republicans a more competitive majority in the House of Representatives.
If Prop. 50 is approved in California, all of the counties in the North State will fall under new congressional districts, a move that is likely to add five Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 election. In the case of Shasta, the new map would lump the county with more highly urbanized and Democrat–dominated coastal areas such Marin, a strategy that could flip District 1 from Republican-represented to Democrat. Congressman Doug LaMalfa currently represents the North State. He’s held his seat since 2013.
California’s potential gerrymandering is being decided by a popular vote. That’s in contrast to Texas’ redistricting plan, which was met with widespread criticism because it was decided by legislators rather than the people themselves. Though Texas lawmakers were open about their intentions to give Republican candidates more of an advantage, they denied that race was a factor in their decisions, despite the fact they focused on districts where Black and Latino voters make up the collective majority.
Local supervisor Kevin Crye has publicly expressed his condemnation of Prop. 50 without commenting on the actions of legislators in Texas. In the lead up to the special election, Shasta Scout reported that Supervisor Matt Plummer denounced gerrymandering in Texas as well as California, regardless of partisan motivation.
The last statewide special election was the California Gubernatorial Recall Election held in 2021. About 74,000 Shasta County residents voted in that election, which was about 65.7% of the total number of registered voters in the county.
Have information or a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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I would love for these anti-50 folks to show me where they have condemned gerrymandering in Red States in the past because it is so unfair. I could wait, but I am certain that they cannot because they knew it was cheating and said nothing.
Prop 11, 2008.
OMG!! All our theft ops gist evaportated wit’ a quickness!
This result was not unexpected– opposition 50 fundraising had halted days (if not weeks) ago.
On an unpredictable note: it would be interesting if this issue ends up derailing Gavin’s presidential aspirations. When he goes national, prop 50, like his personal history, will be dragged out into the light in parts of the country that are not his home state. He is the male version of Kamala but without any of her vp/minority/gender buzz. When he ran against John Cox for govenor in 2018, Cox was unable to dredge out Newsom’s infidelity due to Cox’s own indiscrestions. This will not be the case in the presidential primaries and general election. Cheating with the best friend’s wife and substance abuse dont get a pass in the fly-overs– even if those are universal issues.
We have edited one portion of your comment as it might be interpreted as a threat against a public official. We understand your terminology was likely metaphorical but are using an abundance of caution.
Understood. I’ll rephrase. Newsom’s scheme may come back to bite him.
Since voters elected Trump despite his many sexual transgressions, 34 felony convictions, and numerous bankruptcies, how can you say your apples to oranges comparison will hurt Newsom?
His best friend’s wife. It violates bro code.
Of course you’re correct, but the media doesn’t treat all candidates the same. Trump gets away with stuff that would put other people in jail. We all know this, even the media.
Are you serious? You ARE aware of who is currently in the White House, yes?
I’m assuming this is intended for me, not Brad. Yes i am aware of who the 2 term president is, he was just overwhelmingly re-elected. Trump is a 2 term president, super sleezey shapeshifting son of a rich daddy, w pelts on the wall and weird hair. On the surface, Gavin seems sent from central casting… but this is the big leagues. What he gets away with in blue California will hold him back everywhere else. And I cant oversell what violating bro-code does.
I suppose you’re right! Just violating all those women and (likely girls)… not so much of a problem there I guess. Convicted felon. Yeah, no biggie. Can’t open his mouth without 25 lies falling out. That’s okay too. As long as one doesn’t mess with one’s bros. Thanks for clearing that up for us.