On Tuesday, Nov. 4, California voters passed Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, by a margin of 64%. The bill takes the power to redraw congressional districts away from an independent commission; instead, the California State Legislature will redraw California’s Congressional districts to give House Democrats five more seats during next year’s Midterm Elections. The proposition was proposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom as a way to counteract Texas’s gerrymandering bill, which redrew districts in August in order to give Republicans an additional five House seats.

Since 2008, California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission has drawn the district lines every census to maintain election integrity and avoid gerrymandering. However, Prop 50 temporarily gives that power to the state legislative body until 2031. That means these lines will last for the next three Congressional elections. It might appear that this is an overreach of power, but it is important to note that most states have their legislature draw their congressional lines already. California was one of only eight states to have an independent commission for drawing these lines, also including Arizona, New York, and Montana.

According to campaign advertisements, those in favor of the proposition argue that it is necessary to preserve democracy in response to Texas’s actions, while the opposition calls it a power grab by Governor Newsom.

So how does this affect Poly? Many students are unaware of Prop 50 or don’t know how it’ll impact them.

“I think the effect on me is going to be relatively marginal,” said sophomore Roen Singla.

“I just need more information,” reflected senior Melissa Ponce.

Upper School Librarian Natalie Mattox said, “I voted ‘yes’ on prop 50 to give democratic and left leaning people running for office the best chance of representing me and the state that I live in.”

While, on the surface, students may not seem to be directly affected, this proposition has a deeper impact on the Poly community by altering Californians’ representation on a national scale. The House of Representatives is currently a very close split. Republicans have 219 seats and Democrats have 216. Next year’s midterm elections will be very close, and every seat will count. With Republicans controlling the Senate, judiciary, and the presidency, Congress stands as a hinge that will determine how much of their agenda will actually go through. Thus, it is important for members of our community to stay informed about events in order to understand our developing political environment.