California Votes on Prop 50 Nov. 4–5

California voters are deciding a Nov. 4–5 special election on Proposition 50, a Gov. Gavin Newsom–backed measure that would temporarily allow the state legislature through 2030 to redraw California’s 52 congressional districts. Supporters say the change could flip as many as five Republican-held seats to Democrats and portray Prop 50 as a necessary countermove to Republican mid-decade redistricting in states like Texas; Newsom said he’s "deeply confident" voters will approve. Opponents — especially rural residents — warn it would dilute conservative representation, undermine the independent redistricting commission and set a risky precedent for partisan mapmaking. Prediction markets (Kalshi) price a very high likelihood of passage, and backers say a win would bolster Democrats’ 2026 prospects and Newsom’s national profile, making the measure a high-stakes national test.