Urgent Poll Reveals 56% Support for Prop. 50 Ahead of Election

UPDATE: A new poll confirms that 56% of likely California voters support Proposition 50, which aims to allow Democrats to redraw congressional districts, potentially impacting the upcoming elections. As the November 4, 2023 election approaches, the results from the Public Policy Institute of California show a significant lead for the measure, which is controversially nicknamed the Election Rigging Response Act.

The survey, conducted between October 7-14 with 943 likely voters, has a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points. With 43% of voters opposing the measure, the momentum appears to favor proponents, especially as they significantly outpace their opponents in fundraising. Governor Gavin Newsom has been vocal in supporting Prop. 50, urging donors to halt contributions after reaching their financial goals, stating in an email, “We have hit our budget goals and raised what we need in order to pass Proposition 50.”

Opponents, including supporters of the “No on Prop. 50” campaign, led by megadonor Charles Munger Jr., are alarmed by the potential implications. Munger has invested heavily in ads warning that Prop. 50 would undermine the work of California’s Independent Redistricting Commission, responsible for creating unbiased political boundaries. His spokesperson, Amy Thoma Tan, acknowledged the polling data’s legitimacy but expressed concern over their financial disadvantage, stating, “We’re being outspent two-to-one.”

The high-profile nature of Prop. 50 is drawing significant attention, with 68% of likely voters indicating that the election outcome is “very important.” This represents an unprecedented level of engagement, according to survey director Mark Baldassare, who noted that interest in this ballot measure is the highest he’s observed in two decades.

The implications of Prop. 50 extend beyond California, as its passage could enable Democrats to regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections and counteract policies from the Trump administration. However, the situation remains fluid as Republicans in various states are also looking to redraw district lines to their advantage.

With only weeks until the election, supporters and opponents are intensifying their efforts to sway the millions of voters who have yet to cast their ballots. The urgency of this vote cannot be overstated, as it shapes not only California’s political landscape but potentially the national scene as well.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on California and the fate of Proposition 50. Will voters approve a measure that could redefine congressional representation? Stay tuned as developments unfold.