Obama, Newsom Back Prop 50 as Ballots Return

California’s Proposition 50 is a temporary plan to redraw congressional maps to offset Republican redistricting elsewhere and could add about five Democratic seats; the Nov. 4, 2025 special election’s mail ballots are already being returned. Governor Gavin Newsom has championed the measure, and former President Barack Obama has publicly backed it. An Emerson College poll finds 57% of likely California voters backing Prop 50 (37% oppose), though other surveys show sizable undecided shares and early turnout has skewed older and whiter. The Yes campaign has outraised opponents, reporting roughly $97 million raised since July plus about $13 million in separate spending by Tom Steyer, while the No campaign has raised about $42 million. Both sides are intensifying outreach to persuadable voters as the contest remains competitive and could influence the balance of power in the U.S. House.