MENDOCINO CO., 8/28/25 — The League of Women Voters of California on Wednesday announced that it would not take a position on Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would redraw certain congressional districts in California to disadvantage Republican candidates.
The redrawing was in response to the Texas Legislature redrawing its own maps to favor Republicans, a move that engendered a flight of Democratic legislators across state lines until their eventual return guaranteed a quorum that then passed the legislation.
The California league issued a statement that it says explains its neutral position, provides context, and focuses on empowering California voters. The league had previously criticized mid-cycle redistricting, and it notes that the Texas vote may be challenged in court. With that in mind, the state league has decided to remain neutral.
“On the proposed maps themselves, our policy is clear: the people most affected by district maps, especially communities of color who are often underrepresented, should be the ones to decide if those maps are fair,” the league said. “Many of our partners in Latino, AAPI, and Black communities are still reviewing the California map and forming their positions. We will defer to them to share their conclusions.”
The league was not reluctant to voice its opposition to what it deems authoritarian tactics by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Donald Trump is using common tactics of an aspiring dictator: divide opposition, pit people against each other, and sow distrust,” the league wrote. “A well-worn tactic in that playbook is scapegoating, often by fueling anger and violence toward women. In recent weeks, the LWVC has received thousands of misogynistic, hate-filled emails. The league was forged in struggle, and we will not allow ourselves to be used as a scapegoat.
“Authoritarianism is the enemy, not the League of Women Voters of California,” the league said.
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What you need to know to vote in California’s Nov. 4 special election on redistricting. Find out more here.
It’s not about Donald Trump, (the bad orange man), nor is it about Texas, (which has a growing population including former Californians). It’s actually all about the voting representation of Californians where we have a history of disharmony and division between the many rural counties and the large populations in L.A. and SF. We already have one party government. Why give that party even more power? Name one thing they are doing well with the power they already have. (Consider taxes, gasoline, energy, housing, high speed rail, etc)
You don’t like being a Republican/Trump supporter in a blue state. Fine, persuade a majority of Californians to elect somebody you do like. Or move to Texas. Meanwhile a majority of us support what Democrats in the state legislature are doing, or at least think it’s better than the alternative.
But that’s got nothing to do with Prop 50. Here are the facts: Trump is afraid he will lose power if Democrats win a majority of House seats next year. So he goes to Texas and says “redistrict so that Democrats lose five seats they otherwise would win.” Texas does what he says. Now tell me, why should I just sit here and have my rights cut down because of that? So I’m ready to fight fire with fire — take five California Republican seats away to make up for the five Trump is stealing in Texas. I’m not going to sit here and take it. Fair’s fair, right?
Prop 50 is the only way for a Californian to protect themselves. This isn’t about neutral redisstricting, which I support in normal times. But these times aren’t normal. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The League of Women Voters is living in Fantasyland. Vote “Yes” on Prop 50!
Well, Dave, we have the 4th largest economy in the world. That’s not too bad, is it?
Since the MAGA Republicans are trashing the Constitution and destroying the country you and I love, ruining the economy (wait until Adventist cuts back/closes facilities), it’s not enough to just murmur “tsk-tsk.”
I don’t like gerrymandering and will be glad when after the next Census we return to the Citizens Redistricting Commission we voted to create in 2008, as required by Prop 50 on the ballot this Nov. 4. I’d like to see Congress pass legislation to create neutral districts for all federal elections. That would be fair. But I’m going to be voting for Prop 50 this year to try to protect the Congress from a bald-faced power grab and I hope you do too.