We are being inundated with TV ads both advocating for (vote yes) and condemning (vote no) Proposition 50 regarding gerrymandering on the Nov. 4 ballot estimated to cost California taxpayers $250 million. I have previously pointed out the extreme danger gerrymandering presents to our country so I will not go into detail here. Instead, I’ll focus on the absurd hypocrisy Prop. 50 inflicts on nearly everyone who votes on this issue. Most people realize gerrymandering is more about power to the controlling party than it is about fair elections. California is one of a handful of states where congressional districts are drawn by an independent, bipartisan commission and not by the party in power. As a result, our districts are among the fairest in the country.
This issue was all brought about by Donald Trump coercing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others to gerrymander their states in favor of Republicans in advance of the 2026 and 2028 elections. To counter this effort, Gov. Gavin Newsom put forth Prop. 50 to favor Democrats.
Obviously, a person who opposes gerrymandering, but votes “yes” on Prop. 50, is being hypocritical even if using Newsom’s justification. On the other hand, a person who votes “no” on Prop. 50 is being hypocritical unless they also condemn the actions in Texas, Ohio and other states implementing gerrymandering. I have yet to hear anyone urging a “no” vote on Prop. 50 make such a statement.
In their Oct. 14 meeting, the Santa Clarita City Council took public comments on Prop. 50 and ultimately passed a resolution recommending a “no” vote. It passed 5-0. For perspective, the Santa Clarita Valley sits almost entirely within Congressional District 27. The proposed gerrymandered map from Prop. 50 would dramatically change that. Acton and Agua Dulce would be moved to District 30; Castaic and Stevenson Ranch would be moved to District 26.
While the City Council should be non-partisan, their action seems to be justified considering the impact Prop. 50 will have on a consolidated SCV (District 27) being divided among three districts. However, in fairness to the issue they should have also included a statement in their recommendation supporting California’s current independent commission and denouncing the efforts in other states that brought about Prop. 50 in the first place.
As stated previously, the two people most responsible for this dilemma are Trump and Newsom. Personally, I cannot wait for the day when I never have to hear about, read about, or even think about either of these two divisive and extremist politicians. We are a country of more than 300 million citizens. We can do so much better than this.
Jack Crawford
Saugus
