Newsom, a prominent Democrat, is rallying voters ahead of a special election on congressional redistricting

Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and a number of other national and California Democrats rallied supporters Saturday to continue seeking to pass a ballot measure to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of the midterm elections.

While polls suggest that Proposition 50 will pass on Tuesday, volunteers should continue knocking on doors, phone banking and canvassing voters throughout Election Day. Newsom told the volunteers that they should follow the Sprinter model, leaving it all on the field.

“We can’t run the 90-yard dash. You Angelenos, you’re looking at the Olympics in 2028. They’re not running the 90-yard dash. They’re running the 110-yard dash. We’ve got to be on top on Election Day.” “We can’t take anything for granted.”

Hours earlier, Republicans spoke against the ballot measure at John Wayne Park in Newport Beach, before sending teams into neighborhoods to vote on their side.

State Assemblywoman Dianne Dixon (R-Newport Beach) said: “What Proposition 50 would do is disenfranchisement, meaning all Republicans in the state of California are being ignored.” “Nine percent of 6 million [Californian Republicans] He will be deprived of the right.

Proposition 50 would redraw California’s congressional districts to increase the number of Democrats in Congress. The effort was proposed by Newsom and other California Democrats to increase the number of Republicans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in next year’s midterm elections in hopes of fending off pressure from President Trump in Texas and other GOP-led states. But even if voters approve a ballot measure that could flip California’s five districts currently represented by Republicans, it’s unclear whether it will be enough to change control of the House unless there is a blue wave in the 2026 election.

The party that wins control of the House will take on Trump’s final two years in the White House and determine whether he can continue to implement his agenda or whether he faces further investigation and possible impeachment.

Special elections are the most expensive voting measures in state history. More than $192 million has flowed to various campaign committees since state lawmakers voted in August to put the proposal on the ballot. Supporters of the redistricting effort have raised more money than opponents, and polls show the proposal is likely to pass.

As of Friday, more than a quarter of the state’s 23 million registered voters had cast ballots, with Democrats leading Republicans.

Newsom was joined Saturday by Harris, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla of California and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, other Democrats and labor leaders.

Harris, in a surprise appearance at the meeting, argued that the Trump administration is implementing long-term GOP goals such as voter suppression.

“This war is not about sitting around and complaining, ‘Oh, they’re cheating,'” said the former vice president.

Many speakers pointed to the immigration crackdown that began in Los Angeles in June and the deep cuts to federal safety nets, including the Nutrition Assistance Program for low-income families and health care coverage for seniors and the disabled.

“We know there’s a lot on the line on Tuesday. And a reminder, Tuesday is not Election Day — it’s the last day to vote,” Padilla said. “Don’t wait until Tuesday, cast your vote, folks….As good as the polls look, we have to score on this because the eyes of the country are on California on Tuesday. And we need to win and we need to win big.”

Padilla, a typically outspoken lawmaker, then suggested a modified riff by rapper Ice Cube, who grew up in South Los Angeles.

“Donald Trump – before you destroy America, you better look at yourself,” said Padilla, who is running for governor next year.

About 50 miles to the southeast, about 50 Republican canvassers are fueling up on coffee and donuts, united in frustration over the brisk weather and Newsom’s efforts to redraw California’s congressional districts.

Will O’Neill, chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, said Pro. That last push against 50 tied the California GOP Game 7 — a nod to Friday night’s World Series battle between the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

“Orange County is the only county in Southern California right now that has more Republicans than Democrats voting,” O’Neill said. “We expect that in the next three days, about 70% of everyone who votes will vote for 50. But we need them to vote.”

Ariana Essenmacher of the Young Republicans Center of California organizes a meeting of Republican Party members to vote no on Proposition 50 in the upcoming California statewide special election on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

O’Neill labeled the move a “hyperpartisan power grab.” If Proposition 50 passes, it would weaken Republican power in Orange County by dividing communities and leaving some residents represented by Los Angeles County politicians.

Dixon also rallied volunteers—which included a handful of college students from across the state: “Be a poet. Just say thank you very much. Like Charlie Kirk would. [stimulate] a reason Just be friendly.”

“They point out that Republicans are very underrepresented in the state,” said Christine Nicole Weil, president of the Young Republicans of Orange County.

“If Proposition 50 passes we will not hear from 40% of Californians.”

Orange County GOP Executive Director Randall Avila said the move disenfranchises Latino GOP voters like himself.

Nationally, Trump managed to get 48% of the Latino vote A Pew Research study showedwhich proved crucial to his second presidential victory.

“Clearly our community has shown that we are willing to switch parties and go the other way if that elected official or that party is not serving us,” Avila said. “So it’s unfortunate that some of those voices have now been silenced with a pre-determined winner in their district.”

Avila said all hope is not lost for Republicans if Proposition 50 passes. A few seats could be up for grabs by Republicans, including districts held by Reps. Dave Mann (D-Irvine) and Derek Tran (D-Orange).

“If the lines change, it doesn’t mean we’re packing up and going home,” he said. “It only makes sense that we reset, we reset things, and then we continue to fight.”