A coalition of 37 county sheriffs warns that Proposition 50 would erase independent redistricting and hand map-drawing power to partisan politicians—threatening fair representation.
In a dramatic public declaration, 37 California sheriffs have come forward in opposition to Proposition 50, calling it “a power grab by back‐room, self‐dealing partisan politicians.”
Among those listed are Sheriff Don Barnes of Orange County, Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside, Sheriff Kory Honea (Butte County), Sheriff Vern Warnke (Merced), and Sheriff John Zanoni (Fresno), among many others across urban and rural jurisdictions.
“37 California Sheriffs Oppose Prop 50!” said California GOP Vice Chairman, John Park, in an X post. “PROP 50 is a power grab by backroom, self-dealing partisan politicians. It removes the independent commission and allows partisan politicians to draw their own congressional lines, silencing millions of voters in California. It is election rigging!”
Prop 50, formally the Election Rigging Response Act, would temporarily suspend the authority of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission and allow the state legislature—dominated by Democrats—to redraw congressional maps for the 2026–2030 elections.
A “No” vote would preserve the independent commission’s maps through that period.
Proponents, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom, argue the measure is a necessary retaliation to aggressive partisan redistricting in states like Texas.
According to the Public Policy Institute, Prop 50 could shift up to five congressional seats, significantly benefiting Democratic candidates and weakening competitiveness
The sheriffs’ opposition underscores the belief that political insiders, not neutral bodies, should not dictate maps. In their joint stance, they assert that “your voice and your vote should matter,” implying that gerrymandering will drown out large swaths of citizen participation.
The list spans California’s geography, from rural counties like Modoc, Del Norte, and Sierra to populous ones such as San Bernardino, Orange, and Kern.
Their unified message echoes that of other prominent opponents. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has publicly denounced Prop 50, saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” criticizing Democrats for adopting gerrymandering tactics they once opposed.
