California Prop 50 campaigns top $41.4m, exceeding combined funding for three prior initiatives to create, expand, and repeal the Citizens Redistricting Commission

By

Ryan Byrne

The campaign committees surrounding California Proposition 50 received a combined $41.4 million as of Sept. 4. Supporters received $21.3 million, while opponents received $20.1 million.

That combined total ($41.4 million) for Proposition 50, which qualified for the ballot on Aug. 21, exceeds the aggregate total surrounding the three citizen-initiated ballot measures to create the Citizens Redistricting Commission (Proposition 11), transfer congressional redistricting to the commission (Proposition 20), and abolish the commission (Proposition 27). Proposition 50 would amend the California Constitution to allow the state to use a new, legislature-drawn congressional district map for 2026 through 2030, replacing the commission’s map adopted in 2021.

Supporters

Governor Newsom’s Ballot Measure Committee organized the support campaign, which is known as Yes on 50. Sponsors named the ballot measure the Election Rigging Response Act. Progressive Era Issues Committee Supporting Yes on 50 also organized as a political action committee to support the ballot measure. Together, the two PACs received $21.3 million as of Sept. 4, with most (97.9%) of the funds contributed to the governor’s ballot measure committee.

The following are the top five donors to the support campaign:

  • (1) The House Majority PAC, also known as HMP, contributed $3.5 million—16.6% of the campaign’s total funds. House Majority PAC is a super PAC that focuses on electing Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • (2) The California Teachers Association (CTA) Issues PAC contributed $3.0 million. CTA is a labor union for public school teachers and education support staff in California.
  • (3) Michael Moritz, a venture capitalist and former managing partner of Sequoia Capital, contributed $2.5 million.
  • (4) The Newsom for California Governor 2022 PAC contributed $2.0 million.
  • (5) Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, also contributed $2.0 million.

There were three others who contributed about $1.0 million each to the campaign: Bill Bloomfield, former president of Web Service Company; the California Labor Federation; and the SEIU California State Council.

Opponents

Opponents organized Protect Voters First and Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab. Charles T. Munger, Jr. is listed as the principal officer of Protect Voters First. Jessica Millan Patterson, former chairperson of the California Republican Party, is listed as the principal officer of Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab. On Aug. 25, Politico reported that the two PACs were not coordinating efforts. Patterson said, “You’re going to see different messengers, but it’s all going to be the same message.” Together, the two committees received $20.1 million as of Sept. 4.

The largest donor to the opposition campaign, Charles T. Munger, Jr., contributed $20.1 million—99.9% of the opposition’s total funds. Munger, a physicist and political donor, is the son of Charles Munger Sr., who was a business partner of Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway. He was chairperson of the Santa Clara County Republican Party (2012-2015), as well as chairperson of the California Republican Party’s Initiatives Committee (2013-2019). He contributed to several ballot measure campaigns in the 2000s and 2010s, including campaigns to create the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Doug LaMalfa Committee, associated with U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-1), contributed $12,814 as in-kind donations. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher’s (R-3) Free California PAC contributed $6,824 as in-kind donations.

An additional organization, Right Path California (RPC), made expenditures in opposition to Proposition 50. RPC is registered as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Patterson, principal officer of Stop Sacramento’s Power Grab, is also the CEO of RPC.

Comparisons

While $41.4 million makes California Proposition 50 the most expensive ballot measure of 2025, the top 10 most expensive ballot measures in California each saw more than $120 million in contributions.

Projections of fundraising for and against Proposition 50 have varied. On Sept. 2, NBC News stated, “In all, the undertaking — including ground organization and ads — could cost some $100 million.” On Sept. 3, the New York Times stated, “Over the next two months, Democratic and Republican donors are expected to funnel as much as $200 million into” the ballot measure election.

In 2024, Ohio Issue 1, which would have created a non-politician commission responsible for adopting state legislative and congressional redistricting plans, became the most expensive redistricting-related ballot measure on record. A combined total of $50.97 million was raised for and against Issue 1. Supporters received $43.4 million, while opponents received $7.5 million. On Nov. 5, 2024, Issue 1 was defeated.