The proposed congressional map could boost Democrats’ chances in up to five of California’s 52 congressional districts.
The Redlands Cinema Classic hosted the 28th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival at Harkins Theatre, drawing more than 160 attendees who voted on international short films tackling themes from family and grief to housing and hope.
The proposed congressional map could boost Democrats’ chances in up to five of California’s 52 congressional districts.
REDLANDS, Calif. — California voters will decide Nov. 4 whether to approve Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would temporarily shift the power to draw congressional maps from an independent commission to the state Legislature.
Why it matters: Proposition 50 would reshape the state’s congressional districts for the rest of the decade. If approved, the measure could strengthen Democrats’ chances in as many as five of California’s 52 congressional districts.
The measure was spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California Democratic leaders after President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to redraw their congressional districts to boost the number of Republicans elected.
Proposition 50 is a direct response to aggressive redistricting efforts in states such as Texas where congressional maps have been redrawn for partisan gain.
If passed, Prop. 50 would first temporarily pause the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which was created by voters in 2010. The commission is made up of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans along with four Independents.
Next, the California Legislature would use the new map for elections between 2026 and 2030. The commission’s authority would then be restored in 2031, following the next census.
Supporters say the measure is meant to allow California to counterbalance partisan redistricting in other states to maintain fairness at the national level.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, the proposed maps, created by Sacramento-based Democratic redistricting expert Paul Mitchell, would mostly maintain the existing balance while adding one more Latino-influence district.
PPIC considers the two maps to be very similar, but opponents argue the plan splits more communities than necessary.
Under the state constitution, map-drawers must balance multiple priorities including keeping “communities of interest” together to ensure fair representation and maintain geographic contiguity. While both the current and proposed maps split several California cities, including Redlands, this practice is often unavoidable due to these overlapping requirements.
Redlands is currently divided between congressional districts 23 and 33, split roughly along the I-10 corridor.
Under the Proposition 50 proposal, most of Redlands — including downtown, the University of Redlands area and North Redlands — would shift into District 33, an inland district extending through San Bernardino and Highland. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar.
The southernmost portion of the city, encompassing Prospect Park, Ford Park and the neighborhoods near Mariposa and Sunset drives, would remain in District 23, which stretches south toward Yucaipa and Calimesa and into the desert communities. That seat is held by Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte.
Under the proposed redistricting, District 23 would expand south of Redlands, absorbing parts of the Republican-controlled District 41. Because the new configuration fragments existing territory, a historically Democratic seat in southeast Los Angeles County would also be added, according to a report from CalMatters.
Swipe to compare how Prop 50’s proposed congressional map would reshape Redlands’ representation:
Left map: Current 2020 congressional districts – Blue = District 33 (Democrat-held) Red = District 23 (Republican-held)
Right map: Proposed Prop. 50 districts — shades of purple = proposed boundaries
Click here to view map in full screen
Former President Barack Obama and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have emerged as the most prominent voices on opposite sides of Proposition 50.
“Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years,” former President Barack Obama says in a 30-second ad aired in support of Proposition 50. “With Prop. 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks. Prop. 50 puts our elections back on a level playing field, preserves independent redistricting over the long term, and lets the people decide.”
The comment was part of a multimillion-dollar ad buy promoting the redistricting ballot measure.
“California, the whole nation is counting on you,” Obama says. “Democracy is on the ballot Nov. 4.”
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a longtime advocate against gerrymandering, spoke out against the ballot measure, saying it favors politicians instead of voters.
“That’s what they want to do, is take us backwards. This is why it is important for you to vote no on Proposition 50,” Schwarzenegger said during an appearance at USC. “The Constitution does not start with ‘We, the politicians.’ It starts with ‘We, the people.’ ... Democracy — we’ve got to protect it, and we’ve got to go and fight for it.”
While off-year elections typically have a low voter turnout, more than $150 million has been poured into committees supporting and opposing Prop. 50.
Residents across the state have been mailed information about the ballot measure so they can make an informed decision ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
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