Temporary emergency powers: The case for action
by Ram Narayanan
You’re a principled individual who doesn’t want to cross a moral red line. You don’t believe in gerrymandering because it’s tantamount to cheating. Besides, didn’t our state decide 15 years ago that we’d put an end to these games by appointing an independent commission to figure out California’s congressional map? Or maybe you think this is just a scam by Governor Newsom to raise his national profile in preparation for a 2028 presidential run. And because of any or all of the above factors, you’ve either decided to vote NO on Prop 50 or are too torn to make a decision.
You are not alone. Many California voters are in this position. Maybe you’re one of them. One can absolutely understand and respect this principled and skeptical stance. BUT…let’s think of Proposition 50 as an emergency powers act. It’s not something that we want to do. Given what’s at stake, it’s something that we HAVE to do — albeit temporarily — as a defensive measure. Ironically, unlike other emergencies, this one is not being declared by the President, but rather by the people, in an attempt to defend themselves against an unlawful President.
The GOP has already redrawn congressional districts in Texas. Even if Prop 50 DOES pass in November, it’s very likely that Republicans will try to redraw additional congressional maps in red states like Florida, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. Trump has already indicated that it’s going to happen and not a single Republican lawmaker anywhere has grown a spine or a conscience to speak out against it. Yes, Trump’s national popularity is at an all-time low, but broad congressional GOP support for gerrymandering, combined with zero pushback from the Supreme Court, will make it that much harder for Democrats to win the House in next year’s midterms.
More important: if Prop 50 DOESN’T pass, Republicans are STILL likely to go forward with plans to expand gerrymandering to other states, which will practically GUARANTEE that they will win the midterms. We don’t know what other crooked tactics Trump and his goons have in mind to hold on to power, but let’s make sure we the people at least have a fighting chance at victory. Please vote YES on Prop 50. It’s more reasonable and fairer than you might think. If it passes, then hopefully other blue states like New York, Maryland and Illinois will be motivated to undertake similar efforts.
The latest polls show that more Californians are in favor of Prop 50 than against it (51% to 34%). But we can’t take anything for granted because 15% are still undecided. In addition, voter turnout in off-year elections is usually low, and wealthy Republicans like Charles Munger Jr. are pouring tens of millions of dollars into misleading ads against Prop 50.
But you can help provide clarity for misinformed, uninformed and undecided voters. Help them see what’s at stake before we get to the point where voting itself becomes meaningless. Let’s get folks to vote YES and get us positioned to fight the next battle in Trump’s war on democracy. Prominent leaders — including President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senators Schiff and Padilla, and independent redistricting commissioners — all support Proposition 50.
Here’s how you can TAKE ACTION:
- Make sure to vote YES!
- Get better educated. Check out the Prop 50 FAQ.
- In the mood for conversation? Join a Prop 50 virtual phone bank on Tuesdays and Sundays. You’ll get trained to engage with voters from the comfort of your home. Most people are already on your side. We just need to reach them before they get bamboozled by the opposition!
- Get your canvassing shoes on and knock on doors in Oakland AND other parts of the East Bay. Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before; we’ll cover everything you need to know ! You’ll find that talking to voters face-to-face is fun and rewarding. RSVP here.
- Download the Reach app to reach friends and mobilize your own network to pass Prop 50 and fight election rigging in the midterms! (AOC’s team used the Reach app during her first campaign.) Read the Reach User Guide on all things Prop 50.
- Learn more about engaging your personal network to pass Prop 50. Relational organizing is powerful because you are the trusted messenger to people in your community. You can do this! Sign up today!
