Overview

• Barack Obama appears in a new 30‑second spot telling voters "democracy is on the ballot" and urging them to approve Prop 50 to counter Republican gains.
• Supporters say the plan could add as many as five Democratic-held U.S. House seats in California, potentially moving the party from 43 to about 48 of the state’s 52 districts.
• Mail ballots have been sent to roughly 23 million registered voters, early voting is active statewide, and the special election concludes on Nov. 4.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom advanced the proposal as a response to President Trump encouraging GOP-led states like Texas to redraw maps, with North Carolina Republicans now moving on a new House map.
• Opponents, including Republicans and Arnold Schwarzenegger, argue it is a partisan power grab that overrides the voter‑created commission, as campaign spending across both sides tops $150 million.