West Hollywood Council Backs Prop 50 in Special Election Push

Lead The West Hollywood City Council voted Monday to endorse Proposition 50, the “Election Rigging Response Act,” urging voters to approve a temporary, legislature-drawn congressional map in the November 4 special election.

Nut Graf Councilmembers framed the resolution as a defense of California’s voice in Congress, responding to mid-decade gerrymandering efforts elsewhere. By formally backing Prop 50, West Hollywood aims to mobilize suburban and urban voters ahead of an election triggered by Governor Newsom’s call to counteract Republican redistricting in Texas.

City Council Vote The resolution

• Calls on state voters to support Proposition 50 on November 4.
• Highlights Prop 50’s temporary nature: authorizing new congressional boundaries only until after the 2030 Census.
• Emphasizes the measure’s goal of safeguarding fair representation amid partisan gerrymanders.

Councilmember Statements

• “This is about ensuring our community’s voice isn’t diluted,” said Councilmember John Erickson, co-sponsor of the motion.
• Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee added, “Prop 50 gives Californians the power to fight back against extreme campaigns to tilt congressional districts.”

Background on Prop 50 Governor Gavin Newsom’s legislative package, signed August 21, placed Prop 50 on the ballot in response to Texas Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting aimed at flipping seats. If approved, the state will use the maps drawn in Assembly Bill 604 for the 2026-2030 elections instead of those drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Next Steps Ballots will be mailed beginning October 6, with voter registration closing October 20. Advocates and opponents are ramping up mail and digital campaigns, making Prop 50 one of the most expensive ballot measures this year.

West Hollywood’s endorsement marks one of many municipal bodies weighing in as California prepares for an unusually high-stakes special election focused solely on congressional map control.