Funding Disparity Dominates California Redistricting Battle
A special election on november 4th will ask California voters to decide Proposition 50, a measure that would allow state lawmakers to redraw congressional district boundaries, shifting the power of redistricting away from the autonomous commission currently in place.The campaign surrounding the proposition is marked by a meaningful fundraising disparity between supporters and opponents.
Proposition 50 is projected to cost the state and counties $282 million to hold the special election. If passed, the new districts could considerably impact the 2026 congressional elections, potentially influencing the balance of power in Washington D.C., particularly given the current narrow Republican majority in the House and the historical trend of the party holding the White House losing congressional seats in midterm elections. The proposal comes after former President Trump encouraged Republican-led states like Texas to redraw their own districts to favor their party.
Currently, California’s congressional districts are redrawn every ten years by an independent, voter-approved commission following the U.S. Census. Proposition 50 would require voter approval to replace this system with boundaries proposed by state lawmakers.
As of recent reports, supporters of Proposition 50, led by Governor Newsom, have amassed considerably more funding than opposition groups. Key donors to the pro-Proposition 50 effort include billionaire George Soros ($10 million), the house Majority PAC ($7.6 million), various Service Employees International Union groups ($4.5 million), and Eric and Wendy Schmidt ($1 million).
Conversely, opposition groups have relied heavily on funding from two primary sources: $30 million in loans from Charles Munger jr., a long-time Republican donor in California, and a $5 million donation from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the GOP’s congressional political arm. The opposition has seen fewer small-dollar donations compared to the support side.
Despite the significant financial investment, polling on Proposition 50 remains inconclusive. The off-year election timing suggests potentially low voter turnout and an unpredictable electorate,compounded by the fact that redistricting is a complex issue frequently enough overlooked by many Californians. Over 30 campaign committees are registered regarding the proposition, but the vast majority of funds are concentrated within these key donor groups.
