The special election for Proposition 50 has allowed voters to choose whether to suspend the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Having the state redraw district lines until 2030. This was done in an effort to combat Texas’s gerrymandering by giving the Democrats a projected five congressional seats. As of now, an overwhelming 63.9% of votes are in favor of Prop. 50, nearly assuring that it will be passed. And a whopping 70.7% of people who participated in the special election in Contra Costa also wish for it to pass.

Political Science Professor Ryan Hiscocks noted that the President’s approval rating is low. The Republicans are likely to lose the House next year, further adding, “At some level it is a measure or mark of desperation for this kind of norm-breaking call for redistricting and Republican controlled states, and I don’t think it’s hard to understand why a liberal or Democratic dominated state like California would want to push back against that,” Hiscocks said. 

History Professor Russell Weber also expressed a lack of surprise in how this vote is going and he believes part of the success in the vote for Prop. 50 is since it is being framed as a direct response to the redistricting done by Texas.

But, while many celebrate the success of the vote, others believe that this only tackles part of the problem, “I think Prop. 50 in the way that it’s trying to protect congressional seats for the democratic party in California, the same way Texas is doing for Republicans in Texas, is attacking a symptom of our electoral politics but not the actual problem,” Weber said, while expressing issues with the electoral college.

While Hiscocks doesn’t believe that gerrymandering is healthy for the political climate of the country, he also highlighted the fact the California voters were given the chance to choose whether we or not the maps would be redrawn “The voices of California could have said no and that would have been the end of it…We got to actually through our vote decide which direction our state was going to go.” said Hiscocks. Other states don’t have a redistricting committee, making it much easier to gerrymander without the people’s say.

People throughout campus share a sentiment in regarding the turnout as student Ruth Onyeayana said “I’m not surprised especially with the turnout of the No Kings protest,” expressing that people are being more critical of the current political climate and seek change, adding that “I am happy that it’s going to pass, I hope voters will continue to exercise the right to have their voices heard.”

The vote for Prop. 50 has made it evident that the overwhelming majority can come together to fight against fire with fire.

Students like Heidriani Nanon have expressed excitement in how the vote is turning out as it has been a “Show of unity,” he said, further adding that this is just one step for change.

Results are continuing to be updated. On Dec. 5, County officials must report the final results to the Secretary of State, where they will be certified on Dec. 12.