California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 50, also known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” on Nov. 4. Supporters of the ballot measure included Gov. Gavin Newsom and former president Barack Obama. The proposition asks Californians to vote “yes” or “no” on redistricted congressional maps drawn by the state legislator for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections. If approved, the proposition would go into effect before the 2026 midterms and temporarily replace the 2021 maps drawn by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission. California is currently one of eight states that uses independent redistricting commissions.

The act was created in direct response to President Donald Trump’s encouragement of a power grab in Texas, where he encouraged the state to pass an unusual mid-decade redistricting act with the hope of obtaining five Republican seats in the House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm elections. Currently, there are 219 Republicans, 213 Democrats and three vacancies in the US House. Prop. 50 aims to add five Democrats to the House through the use of gerrymandering, or redistricting maps in a way that favors a certain political party.

The Campanile supports Prop. 50 given the current political context, including Trump’s increasing use of authoritarian powers, threats to our democracy, and the proposition’s temporary nature. While we don’t condone gerrymandering as a general practice and recognize it is typically unethical, the extenuating circumstances that our democracy faces makes Prop. 50 a necessary and justified response.

With Republicans controlling all three branches of government, there are virtually no checks and balances acting on the Trump Administration, which has disregarded the rules of democracy. Actions like the mid-decade redistricting of Texas –– decided purely by the state legislature in an effort to help Republicans gain more power –– cannot go without response.

The Campanile also supports Prop. 50 because it asks California voters for their consent to implement the redistricting. In contrast, Texas passed its redistricting without voter input. Prop. 50 is also temporary, lasting only until after the 2030 elections.

Because Trump has already shown his willingness to test the guardrails of our democracy, passing Prop. 50 is a necessity. By repeatedly challenging the outcomes of elections, inciting an attack on The Capitol, ignoring court rulings, attempting to prosecute opponents, weakening anti-corruption measures, suppressing free speech and showing absolute disregard for the rule of law, Trump has weakened the economy, rolled back protections for public health and the environment, and put healthcare and Social Security benefits at risk for millions of Americans. He has even repeatedly talked about running for president for an unconstitutional third term.

If Prop. 50 fails, Republicans will have a stronghold majority in Congress, and there will be little stopping Trump in his relentless pursuit of power. The bill isn’t overstepping or trying to help Democrats gain an edge; on the contrary, it only neutralizes the gains that Republicans have made by redistricting Texas to gain seats.

The Campanile acknowledges that Prop. 50 is an unconventional measure for California, a state often held up as a model for democratic values. Yet in the face of escalating threats to our democracy, California must respond with equally decisive action to safeguard the integrity of our system before it’s too late.

With Prop. 50’s temporary effect and its placement on the ballot, it holds those in power accountable, protects democracy and prevents future costs, all while keeping California voters as the voice of change. If red states continue to try to jeopardize democracy, they should expect California to fight back.