Editorial: vote yes on Prop. 50

The Olympian unanimously supports Prop. 50, and suggests others voting to do the same. The top reason for us coming to this conclusion is Republicans gerrymandering in other states, especially Texas, to control Congress.
Gerrymandering is a tactic that political parties use to gain seats in a state’s congress through drawing a map of the state’s districts and giving themself more districts. Republicans are using this tactic to gain seats in Texas’s congressional district. 

The purpose of Prop. 50 would be to balance the power of gerrymandering in other states, and keep power in the House of Representatives even. Prop. 50 would end in 2030 and return redistricting to a citizens committee, which is made up evenly of Republicans, Democrats and independents. 

The citizens committee was created in 2008 through Prop. 11 when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in office. 

Another reason for voting yes on Prop. 50 is that it protects Democratic representation. Without Prop. 50, other parties or movements can make moves on California and silence voters and undermine Democrats.

The Trump administration has been encouraging gerrymandering to gain seats in states with Republican control. The Trump administration has also sent federal troops to Democratic cities as well as cracking down on immigration. 

“Californians have been uniquely targeted by the Trump administration, and thanks to the hard work of the California Legislature, they will have a chance to fight back,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in a press conference.  

Overall, voting yes on Prop. 50 will help keep elections fair from extreme gerrymandering, and The Olympian believes this election is an important one for all Californians to vote on.