Editor:
Yes on 50. Gerrymandering is not good, but we have been forced to think strategically in our battle for the future. Prop 50 is temporary. Prop 50 directs the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume enacting congressional district maps in 2031, after the 2030 census. That is the normal time to redraw districts. The redistricting in Texas was top down. It was ordered by Trump and enacted by the governor and legislature. The people of Texas had no say in it. In California, the people are deciding on Prop 50 in a fair election. We don’t know where this new gerrymander war will take us, but we can’t back down now. A Democratic majority in the House will enable us to seriously limit Trump’s power after the mid-terms.
Teresa von Braun, Eureka
Editor:
Friends asked me what I found out about Prop. 50. Here’s what I shared with them.
I’m voting YES for the following reasons:
1. It would not even be on the ballot if Texas had not gone through with gerrymandering five districts to capture five Congressional seats.
2. If enacted in California, it will be by vote of the people, not like that just passed by Texas State officials.
3. Prop. 50 only changes five districts to balance Texas’ manipulation of the vote. We could have upped the ante and gone for six or seven, but we did not!
4. It’s temporary and the commission which I passionately support will automatically return as law with the next census.
5. We can’t “play nice” when others don’t. Level the playing field now and assure that we return to “regular order” with the commission for that next election.
Join me. In voting yes!
Kay Escarda, Eureka
This article appears in No Kings II.
I am voting NO on 50 because I live in this state and I don’t want it taken by Democrats. I am also voting YES on 50 because it is Newsom’ s project and I can’t vote for anything that Newsom is for.