California Prop 50 Redistricting Plan Polarizes Voters Amid $251 Million Special Election

California Governor Gavin Newsom supports Proposition 50, a referendum aimed at redrawing the state's congressional districts to favor Democrats, which critics say will disenfranchise Republican voters by potentially eliminating nearly half of their current seats. The proposition overrides the independent redistricting commission established by a 2008 constitutional amendment, with Democrats arguing this is necessary to counteract similar moves in Texas that are viewed as racially motivated. A recent poll showed 56% of likely California voters support Prop 50, though it faces strong opposition from Republicans, especially in GOP-held districts. In contrast, Indiana Governor Braun has called a special session to address congressional representation fairness but faces criticism that the state is already heavily gerrymandered in favor of Republicans, silencing Democrats and Independents. Both states highlight ongoing partisan conflicts over redistricting, with Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of undermining fair representation and democratic principles through gerrymandering.