A response to Jack Teoli’s Dec. 3 letter on Proposition 50:
Jack Teoli’s recent letter in The Signal presented Prop. 50 as if Santa Clarita delivered a clear and unified endorsement. That assertion is not supported by the facts, nor does it reflect the concerns that many residents repeatedly expressed throughout the election. It also overlooks an essential point: The Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to recommend a “no” vote on Prop. 50 after hearing directly from the community. That unified decision deserves acknowledgment rather than dismissal.
Prop. 50 was marketed statewide as a measure to ensure “fairness and accountability.” Yet the campaign surrounding it relied heavily on fear-based messaging, significant outside funding, and a narrative built around opposing a single political figure. California already has an independent redistricting commission — established by voters in 2011 and designed to prevent political interference — with five Democrats, five Republicans and four independents. Prop. 50 undermined that voter-approved system and introduced the very type of political influence it claimed to resist.
Supporters of Prop. 50 argued that it would prevent partisan gerrymandering. If that is the standard, then it is reasonable to ask why several districts were redrawn under unclear circumstances in the most recent election cycle, with no statewide concern expressed at that time. Such inconsistencies deserve honest examination rather than being brushed aside.
The claim that 33,000 “yes” votes reflect the united will of the Santa Clarita Valley is both inaccurate and dismissive. This community has more than 200,000 residents. To reduce its entire voice to a single number, without acknowledging the residents who voted against the measure or the City Council’s unanimous opposition, is misleading and contributes to the sense that ordinary citizens are being talked over in their own community.
There were also concerning issues at several polling locations. I personally observed individuals attempting to register without knowing their own addresses and relying on phones to look them up. I saw workers standing directly beside voters during the ballot process. Translators appeared to guide choices rather than simply clarifying instructions. Despite thousands of mail-in and drop-off ballots still uncounted and long lines at precincts, the measure was called as “passed” at 8 p.m. Such practices do not build confidence in election integrity or transparency.
The financial cost of the special election also deserves attention. More than $300 million was spent while California faces a $28 billion deficit, with an additional $18 billion projected next year. These funds could have been directed toward residents who lost homes, communities waiting for long-promised support, or essential services that continue to be underfunded. Instead, the state dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to a politically charged election that did little to strengthen public trust.
This issue is not about political parties. It is about a deeply damaging culture of division that has taken root in recent years and continues to erode relationships, communities and shared civic values. Californians should be able to disagree without hostility, and they should be able to expect truthful, respectful engagement from elected officials and commentators.
Santa Clarita deserves elections that uphold the law, respect the will of residents, and avoid the use of fear or political manipulation. It is important to correct the narrative: Prop. 50 did not reflect a unified community, nor did it represent the informed will of all residents. Our City Council listened carefully to the people of this valley, and voted unanimously based on that feedback. That is what accountability looks like.
Prop. 50 was not about fairness. It was a politically motivated measure presented as something it was not. Our community deserved far better — honesty from the campaign, accuracy in public commentary, and respect for the democratic processes Californians already established.
Glenda Roybal
Canyon Country
