As Early Voting Opens, Prop. 50’s Redraw Would Reshape San Diego’s 48th and Test GOP Strongholds

Overview

• With one week to Election Day, the Yes on 50 campaign reports $97 million raised versus $42 million for the No side, with ads featuring Barack Obama.
• Recent polling shows support slightly ahead for the measure, and some counties have opened early in-person voting.
• The proposed map would merge rural Lakeside with urban El Cajon and La Mesa and add Palm Springs to the 48th District, increasing Latino and Democratic voters and potentially weakening Rep. Darrell Issa.
• Beyond San Diego County, Rep. Ken Calvert’s district would shift into Los Angeles County with a double-digit Democratic registration edge, and Rep. Kevin Kiley would gain voters previously represented by his challenger.
• Voters describe fears of diluted local representation while supporters call the change a necessary response to GOP-led remaps in states like Texas, leaving candidates in limbo until the Nov. 4 special election.