Where, when and how to vote on California's Prop. 50
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Californians head to the polls Tuesday to vote on Proposition 50, which would allow lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional map.
Why it matters: The special election could reshape the balance of power in Congress by potentially shifting as many as five GOP-held seats into Democrat-leaning districts.
Driving the news: Registered voters can return their ballots via mail (it has to be postmarked by Election Day) or drop them off at any of the city's 37 drop boxes between 7am and 8pm.
- You can also go to the Voting Center in City Hall, in front of Room 48, or one of the 100 polling places open throughout San Francisco from 7am to 8pm.
Caveat: USPS mail service changes mean ballots may not be picked up in time to be counted if you drop them off at a post office or USPS mailbox on Election Day, California officials have warned.
- If you do so, ask the post office worker for a postmark to ensure you get credit for mailing your ballot on time, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
State of play: Led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Prop. 50 is now one of the most expensive ballot fights in state history.
- The measure, which needs a simple majority to pass, would allow the Legislature to redraw the state's congressional map for the next three election cycles — 2026, 2028 and 2030 — before returning that power to the state's independent redistricting commission.
- Redrawn lines would favor leftward shifts that significantly dilute the number of Republican voters in key battleground regions, including the Central Valley, Inland Empire, Orange County, northern Los Angeles County, San Diego and Northern California.
- It's a direct response to a redistricting push sparked by President Trump, who in July urged Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional maps to gain seats.
The big picture: Polling ahead of Election Day shows that Californians appear to back Prop. 50.