California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., is spearheading the implementation process to put Proposition 50 before voters in the Nov. 4 statewide special election.
Weber announced Aug. 21 that she has formally assigned the measure to the ballot and is inviting Californians to submit arguments for or against it.
The proposal, Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8, would temporarily adopt the congressional map outlined in Assembly Bill (AB) 604 until 2031, overriding the Citizens Redistricting Commission’s usual authority. Lawmakers say the change responds to mid-decade redistricting in Texas earlier this year and is aimed at protecting California’s representation in Congress.
Weber’s office is accepting ballot arguments until 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. Rebuttals from selected authors are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 27. Arguments may be delivered in person at the Secretary of State’s Elections Division in Sacramento, faxed to (916) 653-3214, or emailed to VIGarguments@sos.ca.gov. Original documents must follow within 72 hours of electronic or faxed submission.
State law gives priority to arguments written by legislators, followed by recognized citizen associations and then individual voters. Ballot arguments cannot exceed 500 words, with rebuttals capped at 250 words. No more than three signers are allowed on each submission.
Weber said the Official Voter Information Guide, which will feature selected arguments and be mailed to every California voting household, ensures voters have “direct access to both sides of every measure so they can make informed decisions.”
If approved by voters, Proposition 50 would temporarily replace the state’s congressional boundaries until the next redistricting cycle in 2031, giving Californians a direct say on how their districts are drawn.