Proposition 50 has taken California by storm. But what is it? How does it affect us, locally in Santa Clarita, and how will it change the future of California politics moving forward?
“Proposition 50, if it passes, what it’ll do is it’ll change the way that congressional districts are drawn in California for three elections for the 2026 election, the 2028 and the 2030. After that, it would revert to the way it has been done since 2010,” said Phil Gussin, a Political Science Professor at College of the Canyons.
“There’s an independent commission made of Democrats and Republicans, and independents that draws the boundaries,” said Gussin.
The proposition is in retaliation to Texas’s redistricting, with some people believing that what they did was government corruption. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, however, recently gave California’s redistricting plan an F in partisan fairness, signaling a significant favor for Democrats. Both sides are canvassing in Santa Clarita, as every vote counts.
“I’ll be voting yes on Prop 50 because I think it’s important that we combat corruption by giving people the choice to redraw our districts,” said Jenna Sickenius, the Chairman of the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats.
For many young adults in California, this will be their first time casting a vote.
“I think it’s an overall concern, because if they start here taking things from citizens, and it’s kind of concerning, like, where else might they start taking control? If that control goes to the government, then what else might they take,” said Hailee Pittario, a College of the Canyons student.
