What to know about California’s 2025 special election
Leer en español What you need to know to vote in California’s Nov. 4 special election on redistricting
All eyes are on California this fall as voters decide whether to approve Proposition 50, which would temporarily set aside the state’s nonpartisan citizen redistricting commission and adopt new congressional lines for the next three election cycles.
The gerrymandering plan has significant stakes far beyond California’s borders — for control of the federal government, for President Donald Trump’s agenda and for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national ambitions.
Proposition 50 is the only measure on the statewide Nov. 4 special election ballot.
Here's what your vote would mean:
Voting “YES” means: You want California to redraw its congressional districts to give Democrats a potential advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives. This would counter redistricting efforts in other states seeking to give Republicans an advantage.
Voting “NO” means: You want California’s congressional district lines to remain the same, as they were drawn by the state’s nonpartisan citizen redistricting commission. This is likely to give Republicans redistricting in other states an advantage in the U.S. House.
How to Vote and Key Dates
OCT 6 | Your county elections office will begin mailing out Nov. 4 ballots. You can also pick up a ballot (or vote) at an Early Voting site. |
OCT 7 | Secure ballot drop-off boxes open. |
OCT 20 | Last day to register to vote online for the special election. After Oct. 20, to register or re-register to vote, you must complete same-day voter registration and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. |
OCT 25 | Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties. |
NOV 4 | SPECIAL ELECTION 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone get a ballot in the mail?
Yes. Under state law, vote-by-mail ballots are sent to every active registered voter.
When will I receive my mail-in-ballot?
Counties will begin mailing ballots by Oct. 6.
Can I vote in person? Where is my polling place or vote center?
Yes, though mailing your ballot as soon as possible is the best way to get your vote counted fast. You can find out where to vote in the following ways:
- Check online
- Text “VOTE” to GOVOTE (468-8683)
- Call the secretary of state’s hotline at (800) 345-VOTE
- Check your county Voter Information Guide, or contact your county elections office
What would Proposition 50 do?
Proposition 50 will determine how Californians are represented in the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed map flips the partisan advantage of five GOP-held House seats in the state and pulls more Democrats into five other swing districts, potentially leaving as few as four Republicans in California’s 52-member congressional delegation.
The gambit, conceived by Newsom, thrusts California into a roiling nationwide redistricting arms race as Trump tries to protect his narrow Republican majority in Congress. The GOP held a five-member advantage after the last election, the smallest in decades.
Why is Proposition 50 on the ballot?
Facing sinking approval ratings and a tendency for the opposition party to gain seats in midterm elections, Trump fears Democrats could derail his policy agenda and ensnare his administration in investigations if they win back power in 2026.
This summer, he pressured Texas Republicans to call a special session and redraw the state’s congressional lines to eliminate five Democratic-held seats. Other conservative states may now follow suit.
Newsom pledged to offset those gains by adding five new Democratic-leaning seats in California. But unlike most states, where legislators decide the congressional map, California uses an independent commission created by the voters — so Newsom must go back to the ballot to get their permission for his plan.
The governor has argued that California must “fight fire with fire,” by gerrymandering Democratic districts to give the party a chance of winning back the House next year and counter Trump’s authoritarian policies. His aggressive advocacy against the president in recent months has made him popular with some Democrats.
Republicans, who make up only a quarter of the California electorate, are seeking to target Republican voters who would lose representation as well as unaffiliated voters who support the independent system. Defeating the measure could also weaken Newsom ahead of an expected run for president in 2028.
Will your congressional district change if voters pass Newsom's plan?
Watch
Read Video Transcript
In 2010, Californians passed a ballot measure mandating independent nonpartisan redistricting for congressional districts.
It was meant to cultivate fair, competitive elections and prevent gerrymandering. But now, Democrats want to temporarily redraw California's congressional maps.
Their reason? The Republican-led gerrymander in Texas, backed by President Donald Trump.
Hi, I'm Jeanne Kuang, a reporter for CalMatters, and this is Prop 50 In A Minute.
In a November 4th special election, Governor Gavin Newsom is asking California voters to consider Prop 50, which would require new Democrat-drawn district maps to be used in California's congressional elections through 2030.
Right now, Democrats hold 43 of California's 52 congressional seats. But the new maps would transform five Republican-controlled seats into districts that heavily favor Democrats.
If voters oust those incumbents, Newsom would effectively cancel out Trump's effort in Texas. The maps would also strengthen Democrats' hold on three other competitive California districts, making it harder for the GOP to flip them next year.
A yes vote would keep the state's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which would return to enacting congressional district maps after the 2030 census and every 10 years after.
Opponents have called the measure unconstitutional and argue that two gerrymanders don't make a right. While supporters say it's necessary to combat partisan redistricting in Texas.
So vote yes if you want to let Democrats use new maps in California's congressional elections through 2030. Vote no if you wanna keep things the way they are. To learn more about this special election ballot measure, visit calmatters.org.
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Credits
Your CalMatters 2025 Voter Guide is a team effort, made possible by the following:
Reporting: Alexei Koseff, Maya C. Miller
Data and interactives: Jeremia Kimelman
Design: Gabriel Hongsdusit
Newsletter: Trevor Eischen
Web development: Mohamed Al Elew, John Osborn D’Agostino, Miles Hilton
Partnerships: Mary Franklin Harvin, Dan Hu
Social engagement and video: Anna Almendrala, Michael Lozano, Maya C. Miller
Translation and editing (Spanish): Angel Rodriguez
Video: Robert Meeks, Mia Henry, Jeanne Kuang, Adriana Heldiz, Gabriel Hongsdusit, Jeremia Kimelman, Miguel Gutierrez Jr., Mary Franklin Harvin
Editing: Adam Ashton, Yousef Baig, John Osborn D’Agostino, Andrew Losowsky, Soo Oh, Sisi Wei, Juliet Williams
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NO ON PROP 50
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