Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s (D-CA) Proposition 50, the ballot measure designed to approve the Democrat-led agenda to redraw California‘s congressional map, is poised to pass next week’s special election after supporters raised millions of dollars in donations.
Democrats have rallied in full force behind Newsom’s redistricting ballot measure, raising significantly more money than Republicans who oppose it. Supporters have raised at least $129 million in contributions, while opponents have raised at least $46 million, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The flow of money has been so significant that Newsom told donors to stop contributing to the pro-Proposition 50 cause this week.
“We have hit our budget goals and raised what we need in order to pass Proposition 50. You can stop donating,” he said in an email.
Since the governor announced the proposal in August, the measure has only increased in popularity among Democrats — receiving support from former President Barack Obama and others.
Some of the largest donations include $15 million from a Democratic super PAC, $12 million from former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, and $10 million from a lobbying group associated with billionaire megadonor George Soros.
It appears the donations will pay off come Nov. 4.
A new poll, published by the Public Policy Institute of California within a week of California’s special election, shows 56% of likely voters saying they’ll vote in support of the redistricting ballot measure and 43% saying they’ll vote against it. Most respondents seem to have made up their minds on the measure, given that only 1% said they didn’t know how to vote on the issue.
The measure reflected a partisan divide, with 84% of Democrats saying they’ll support the measure and 89% of Republicans, particularly in House GOP districts, saying they’ll oppose it. Additionally, 55% of independents say they will vote yes.
Regardless of political affiliation, roughly 70% of voters say the outcome of Proposition 50 is “very important” to them.
Given the likelihood of the measure’s approval by voters on Election Day, California Republicans are reportedly retreating from their anti-Proposition 50 campaign. This is demonstrated by the lack of money given to the cause in recent weeks.
Perhaps the most outspoken critic of California’s redistricting plan on the Republican side is former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who launched his own effort to challenge gerrymandering on both sides of the political aisle.
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Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has largely sat out Newsom’s plan to counteract Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting agenda. Although Trump hasn’t directly or explicitly endorsed either side of the ballot measure, the Department of Justice deployed election monitors to California with the stated goal of preserving election integrity.
Newsom called the move an act of voter suppression. In response to the Trump administration, California Attorney General Rob Bonta authorized the state’s own observers to oversee the federal election monitors.
