Prop 50 sparks debate in Fresno, Clovis as special election nears and voters prepare to decide
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — We are just weeks away from California’s special election, where millions of voters will have the chance to weigh in on Proposition 50.
Proposition 50 proposes a one-time suspension of the commission responsible for redistricting the state’s congressional districts, allowing the districts to be redrawn by the legislature.
“What Prop 50 does is it makes a one-time suspension of the commission that does the redistricting in the states that draw congressional districts. So that the districts can be changed,” explained Fresno State political science professor Thomas Holyoke.
Governor Newsom is advocating for this proposition following Texas’s recent plan to redraw its district lines to favor the Republican Party.
“In Texas, the district was redrawn so it might pick up five seats in the House of Representatives. And California, I believe, the hope is Democrats would pick up 5 seats in the House of Representatives and thereby canceling each other out,” said Holyoke.
On Saturday, several community members gathered in Clovis for the “No on Prop 50” rally. Attendees heard from Republican assembly members who spoke in support of the proposition.
Supporters of the rally expressed concerns over who truly benefits from this change.
“Who is this benefiting is what I want to know. I mean, right now, who’s in charge? And it can only benefit his goals for the state,” said one attendee.
The proposition was also a hot topic at the “No Kings” rally in Central Fresno early Saturday afternoon. Interestingly, some supporters of Prop 50 admitted they wouldn’t normally vote in favor of such a measure but felt the circumstances made it crucial to act now.
“Given the current culture, I think it’s a mess. I think we kind of have to fight back. We’re not a party that is a violent party, but we have to fight back against some of their games that they’re playing,” said protestor Sharon Bonnema.
If you want to vote in this special election and have not yet registered, you still have until Monday to do so. For more information on how to register, [click here].
https://abc30.com/post/prop-50-sparks-debate-fresno-clovis-special-election-nears-voters-prepare-decide/18035546/
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