San Mateo County supervisors are split on endorsing the state’s unprecedented retaliatory redistricting efforts that will be presented to voter consideration in November, weighing the need to defend California voter representation and engaging in partisan advocacy.
On Monday morning, supervisors David Canepa and Lisa Gauthier held a rally to call on voters to approve Proposition 50, the “Election Rigging Response Act,” which would adopt new congressional district maps for elections between 2026 and 2030. State voters will consider the legislation in the special election Nov. 4.
The effort to win more democratic House of Representative seats by making a new political map is in response to a similar effort by Republicans in Texas at the desire of President Donald Trump.
Canepa said voting for the state proposition is a “fight for democracy, a fight against authoritarian rule and a fight against election rigging.”
Passing Proposition 50 is a chance for California voters to fight against the federal administration when so much is unfortunately out of their hands, Gauthier said.
Canepa and Gauthier will introduce a resolution to the Board of Supervisors to endorse Proposition 50 on Tuesday.
Although Supervisor Ray Mueller said he will personally vote in favor of the proposition, he does not believe the board should endorse one way or the other, and will be abstaining.
Proposition 50’s underlying purpose is “plainly partisan, to favor one political party over another in the redrawing of congressional district lines,” and therefore is a wrongful use of the board’s power to endorse, Mueller said.
“I recognize this board is legally allowed to pass this resolution. I also do not dispute the board’s authority to weigh in on political matters. But the distinction I make today is on the difference between what is partisan versus what is political,” Mueller said in a statement.
Gauthier acknowledged the vote is partisan, but she’ll “take that chance” to save democracy.
“If California doesn’t stand up for this and put up some guards and do something, then we’ll continue to see democracy erode,” Gauthier said.
At Monday’s press conference, Canepa and Gauthier were joined by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park; Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo; Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto; and labor and community leaders.
If California voters pass the proposition in November, the plan would override California’s independent citizen commission — which decides how district lines are drawn — and redraw new maps more favorable to Democrats until 2030.
Canepa said the proposition is a necessary response to the gerrymandering in Texas.
“California voters will not be silenced by Trump’s cronies in Texas,” Canepa said. “Without Prop. 50, California loses. It’s that simple.”
(2) comments
I wouldn't be surprised to hear if these folks were instructed to irrationally rationalize the threat to democracy known as Proposition 50. Fortunately, we’re obtaining further glimpses into their version of “democracy” and their moral compasses and it’s not in the interest of democracy. You get the government you deserve so remember this treachery when you vote in the near and far future. After all, we know they'll turn against anyone and anything. And irrationally rationalize it. Good luck to lawfare efforts against Proposition 50.
Hi Terence - a happy bunch this is not. All command performance by their bosses. I always thought it is illegal to campaign for political types on the taxpayer dime of course. You'd never see them on their days off or they would file for overtime or combat pay. The last four years have mangled the word 'democracy' to such an extent that Mao or Stalin could have used it.
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