Have you turned on the TV recently and seen ads featuring ex presidents or average people? Whether it’s Barack Obama or Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Election Rigging Response Act, otherwise known as Prop 50, has become a hot topic for many California residents. Prop 50, the controversial county redistricting bill, is slated to have its in-person voting booths on November 4th for this special election. With Solano residents gearing up to vote, students at the college discuss their takes on this vote.
The controversial act was created by California Governor Gavin Newsom in response to gerrymandering in the Texas state government, which resulted in several democratic representatives losing numbers in district population. The Election Rigging Response Act would create new districts in the state of California until 2030, focusing on gaining more democratic populations in different counties.
The bill itself has garnered controversy, being labeled by the No On 50 campaign as a “Politicians Power Grab”, while others like Barack Obama and Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez took to endorsing the bill.
Despite the campaign, there are still passionate supporters of Proposition 50. Solano student Freddy Blandino is one of them, “The president is trying to redraw the maps for republicans to gain house seats…”
Blandino added, “We’re trying to stop it by countering what they’re doing in order to save democracy in all 50 states.”
What Blandino is referencing is the redistricting bill from Texas, the origin of Prop 50. While Prop 50 would rearrange the districting maps to have more of a democratic presence in local districts, Texas would rearrange their map to be more republican orientated.
Holding a similar stance, Leasle Velasco stated, “I’m most likely gonna vote yes. If Texas wants to choose the majority of republicans to vote and not really hear from the other party of how much it’s gonna affect the people living in Texas, then I think California has the right to vote as well.”
On the opposite end of the political spectrum, fellow student Sean Jones voiced his disapproval for Prop 50, “They just want leverage for their political party…Personally I identify as a republican with conservative values so honestly I’m just gonna vote no.”
The partisan fear is what many worry about when it comes to the new legislation from states like Texas and California, leading to those feeling unsure how to vote.
Terrill Crookshank is one of the many who are still deciding how to vote on this election, “I suppose when given some insight on why and how they’re going to defend against [Election Rigging], but I haven’t so much settled for either side right now.”
Voters have all of November 4th to submit their ballots, whether it’s at a polling booth or your local ballot drop off box, you can research your local polling booth by using resources provided by Solano County. For students still struggling to make a choice in this special election, students like Velasco have advice.
“My advice for those who are still unsure on whether to vote yes or no, I think you should do more research and think wisely on what exactly you’re voting for because we live in crazy times right now.” Velasco emphasized.
