Title
Receive a referral from the Legislative Committee requesting that the Board consider a position on Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment on the California special election ballot on November 4, 2025.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors receive a referral from the Legislative Committee requesting that the Board consider a position on Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment on the California special election ballot on November 4, 2025.
SUMMARY:
The Legislative Committee met on September 8, 2025, and reviewed Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment. Proposition 50 will appear on California’s special election ballot as a legislative referred constitutional amendment on November 4, 2025. The Legislative Committee received information, discussed, and referred Proposition 50 to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The California legislature passed three measures to temporarily require new congressional district maps be used in California's congressional elections through 2030.
- AB 604 (Aguiar-Curry/Gonzalez) Redistricting: Congressional districts. - This bill specified the maps that define the congressional districts for the special election vote.
- ACA 8 (Pellerin) Ballot Initiative - Proposition 50 - Congressional Redistricting. - This measure, notwithstanding the authority of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, requires the state to temporarily use the congressional districts reflected in AB 604 of the 2025-26 Regular Session for every congressional election until the new congressional boundary lines are drawn by the commission in 2031.
- SB 280 (Cervantes) Elections. - This bill calls for a special election in November.
AB 604, the map amendment, has become Proposition 50, as AB 604 cannot take effect without voter approval. A special election will now be held on November 4 of this year, allowing voters to approve the new congressional maps.
Proposition 50: the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment.
Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 50 authorizes the state to use a new congressional district map from Assembly Bill 604 (AB 604). The new congressional district map would be used to elect members of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2026 through 2030. The proposed map would replace existing maps, which the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission adopted on December 27, 2021, for elections from 2022 through 2040. Proposition 50 would provide that the Citizens Redistricting Commission will redraw congressional districts following the next census in 2031.
A “YES” vote on Proposition 50 supports amending the California Constitution to allow the state to use a new congressional district map for 2026 through 2030. The new congressional district map is included in AB 604.
A “NO” vote on Proposition 50 opposes the constitutional amendment, keeping the existing congressional districts map in place. The 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission adopted the existing congressional district maps on December 27, 2021, for use in elections from 2022 through 2030.
The purpose of the Proposition is to nullify redistricting in Texas, which will likely add five additional seats to the Republican Party. By taking this action, California will give the California Democratic Party a greater chance of picking up five more seats currently held by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm elections. The maps would also help shore up seats barely held by Democrats in five other districts.
Proposition 50 is supported by a mix of political leaders, labor unions, and progressive organizations who see the measure as a strategic response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in states like Texas. The largest donor to the support campaign is the House Majority PAC, which has contributed $3.5 million. Proposition 50 is opposed by a mix of conservative groups, and Republican lawmakers. The largest donor to the opposition campaign is Charles T. Munger, Jr., who contributed $20.1 million.
The Secretary of State’s Official Voter Information Guide for California’s Special Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, is not yet available.
The Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) published a report on Proposition 50 – Exhibit A.
Additional information on Proposition 50 is available at https://ballotpedia.org including an extensive list of those supporting/opposing the measure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
On September 8, 2025, the Legislative Committee received a report on Proposition 50 from the County’s state lobbyist, Ashley Walker of Nossaman LLP, and referred Proposition 50 to the Board of Supervisors for consideration without a recommendation. Information contained in this report was also provided by Nossaman LLP.
FINANCING:
According to the State Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), Proposition 50 will have minor one-time costs to county and state election officials. Per the LAO report “Counties run elections, and the state oversees them. Because most congressional districts in California would change at least some under the new maps, county and state elections officials would need to update election materials. This would result in one-time costs to counties of up to a few million dollars statewide and one-time costs to the state of roughly $200,000.” – Exhibit A.
On September 5, 2025, the Department of Finance (DOF) sent a letter to the State Controller requesting that $251,306,359 be allocated in fiscal year 2025-26 for the November 4, 2025, statewide special election. Of those funds, $3.5 million will be allocated to the County of Monterey. If a County does not use all the money, it will be permitted to retain the extra funds for future elections.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Recommendations in this report could potentially impact every area of the Board’s Strategic Goals.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
X Diverse and Thriving Economy
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
_ Administrative
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Program Manager, x3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, x5145
Attachments:
Exhibit A – LAO Report on Proposition 50