Obama urges California voters to support Proposition 50 redistricting

Former President Barack Obama is urging Californians to vote for Proposition 50, which would redraw congressional districts.

Voting opened last week to add up to five Democratic-held seats in Congress, which could potentially offset moves by President Donald Trump in Texas and elsewhere to help Republicans in the 2026 elections.

“California, the entire nation is counting on you,” Obama said in message video published on Tuesday “Democracy is at stake on November 4. Republicans want to steal enough congressional seats to rig the next election and exercise unchecked power for two more years.”

“With Prop 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks,” he continued. “Proposition 50 puts our elections on a level playing field, preserves independent redistricting for the long term, and lets the people decide. Return your ballot today. Vote yes on 50.”

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA VOTERS WEIGH IN ON PROP 50 REDISTRIBUTION FIGHT

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference to launch the “Yes on 50” campaign at the California Democratic Party headquarters on August 21, 2025, in Sacramento, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The ad was funded by “Yes on 50, The Election Rigging Response Act, and Governor Newsom’s Ballot Measure Committee,” the video states in its conclusion, adding that “HMP for Prop 50,” “Fund for Policy Reform” and the California Teachers Association were the ad committee’s “major funders.”

The outcome of the 70-word question, “yes” or “no,” could determine which party takes control of a closely divided House and whether Democrats will be able to blunt Trump’s power in the second half of his term on issues ranging from immigration to reproductive rights.

VOTING ONGOING FOR 2025 ELECTIONS THAT COULD DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THE HOUSE IN THE 2026 MID-TERM

The national implications of California’s ballot measure are clear, both in the money it attracted and the numbers involved. Tens of millions of dollars are pouring into the race, including a $5 million donation to opponents from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC linked to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Action movie star and former California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke out against the proposal, while Obama called the proposal a “smart” approach to countering Republican maneuvers to safeguard control of the House.

Former President Barack Obama speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum, December 5, 2024, in Chicago. He posted a video on social media Tuesday in support of California’s Prop 50. (Erin Hooley/AP Photo)

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The election that ends Nov. 4 will also influence the 2028 presidential contest in which Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom — the face of the campaign for the newly redrawn districts — is widely seen as a likely candidate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.