By Don C. Reed
It seemed harmless enough, at first. President Trump ordered Texas Governor Greg Abbot to redraw his state’s voting map — to get him five more Republican-controlled voting districts.
Trump said he was only looking for “a very simple redrawing: we pick up five seats.” (1)
But that new map, (and those five seats), would mean defeat for Democrats, and almost certainly the loss of Congress.
How would this be done? Redraw the map. Put Democratic voters (minority groups, college-educated and women) into one group, and Republican voters (white, senior citizen and male) into several: essentially crushing the Dems,
Fortunately, California has a governor too: a cheerful warrior: Gavin Newsom.
His remedy? Balance and fairness.
If Texas can rearrange voters into five new Republican districts, California should do the same — with Democratic districts.
To decide that question, on November 4, California will vote on Proposition 50: the Election Rigging Response Act (ERRA). (2)
If we vote YES, California brings in new Democratic-leaning districts — if NO, Republicans keep their advantage.
Would Republicans do such a thing? They already did. Since they controlled the Texas legislature, their representatives just voted to increase their own power. spreading out voters they liked into lots of districts, concentrating ones they did not like into just a few. It was easy for them, as only their Representatives voted.
California’s re-districting will be more difficult, being decided by a full vote: millions of Californians. (3) Yet still we can and must prevail.
There will undoubtedly be a flood of Republican campaign cash pouring in, to try to defeat Prop 50. We will do our best to match their millionaire money, of course — but above all, we need to involve and educate our friends.
The opposition is already trash-talking Proposition 50; running expensive ads on TV. I have seen three different kinds of ads so far, all attacking the good bill.
How do we wade through the political propaganda? Look for names you recognize. Prop 50 is supported by leading Democrats like Gavin Newsom.
If Proposition 50 passes, and Democrats prevail, we have a chance to win again..
But if Republicans defeat Proposition 50, and outnumber our voting districts? Well, brace yourself for more — much more! — of Donald Trump.
I urge your strong “YES!” vote on Proposition 50: the Election Rigging Response Act (ERRA). (4)
1. https://www.fox4news.com/news/trump-wants-five-seat-gain-through-texas-redistricting
2. https://www.sf.gov/november-4-2025-statewide-special-election
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/us/politics/abbott-texas-legislature-redistricting-map.html
4. https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/statewide-special-nov-4-2025