To the Editor:
We have received numerous questions from community members asking where the League of Women Voters stands on Proposition 50, the mid-cycle redistricting measure on the November 4 special election ballot.
The League of Women Voters of California will not take a position on Proposition 50.
Voters may have received a mailer from “Protect Voters First” about the ballot initiative which wrongly implies that the League of Women Voters endorses the information in the flyer. Be clear, the League does not support this coalition or its message.
Before the ballot language was written, the League, along with other good government groups, issued statements opposing mid-cycle redistricting as contrary to our long standing positions on gerrymandering and fair representation.
Since then, and on the heels of Texas’ decision to implement mid-cycle redistricting, Governor Newsom and the legislature have moved to put Proposition 50 on the ballot for a special election in November.
We will not take a position on the ballot measure. On the proposed maps themselves, we believe it is now up to the people most affected by the proposed maps to decide if those maps are fair. We urge everyone, especially those in constituencies where the maps will change, to educate themselves about the maps, make sure they are registered, and vote on November 4. We stand ready to provide the non-partisan, factual information voters need to cast an informed vote.
For more information or to request a presentation on Proposition 50 for your organization contact Voter Service Director Ed Cabrera at
voterservice@lwvslo.org.
Janice Langley
Joanne Schultz
Wendy Brown
Jacquie Canfield
League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
805-242-6990