Author: Ryan Byrne
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California Proposition 50 becomes the fourth most expensive ballot measure in state history, with $166.2 million between supporters and opponents
California Proposition 50 is now the fourth most expensive ballot measure in the state’s history based on campaign contributions. Voters will decide the measure, which would authorize a new congressional districts map, at a special election on Nov. 4, 2025. As of Oct. 27, committees supporting and opposing the measure had raised a combined $166.2…
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Update on state ballot measures certifications—one new ballot measure certified in California for 2026
While the number of state ballot measures for 2025 is finalized, at 30, the total for 2026 will continue to increase until Sept. 2026. As of Oct. 14, 56 ballot measures have been certified for ballots in 2026. The most recent certification was in California on Oct. 2, when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation…
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California Proposition 50 ranks as the seventh most expensive ballot measure in state history with $139.9 million raised
California Proposition 50 ranks as the seventh most expensive ballot measure, based on total contributions to campaigns supporting and opposing the constitutional amendment. As of Oct. 13, about $139.9 million had been raised for and against Proposition 50. Supporters received $97.7 million, while opponents received $42.2 million. To become the sixth most expensive, surpassing Proposition…
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California Proposition 50 becomes the 10th most expensive ballot measure in state's history, with five weeks to go
Proposition 50 became the 10th most expensive ballot measure on record in California on Sept. 26, 2025, with five weeks until the election. As of Sept. 26, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $122.3 million. Supporters of Proposition 50 reported $84.9 million in contributions, while opponents reported $37.5 million. This…
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California Proposition 50 would shift five Republican-held congressional districts toward Democrats, based on presidential election results
California has 52 congressional districts, with each district’s voters electing a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2025, the state’s delegation includes 43 Democrats and nine Republicans. On Nov. 4, voters will decide on Proposition 50, which would authorize a new, legislature-drawn map until the Citizens Redistricting Commission redraws congressional districts in 2031.…
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Voters to decide on 30 statewide ballot measures in 2025—three fewer than the decade average
Voters in nine states will decide on 30 statewide ballot measures in 2025, which is below the average (33) for odd-numbered years over the past decade. Six measures were decided earlier in the year in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Voters in six states—California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington—will decide on the remaining…
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Maine became the seventh state to approve initiative and referendum 117 years ago, on September 15
Voters in Maine approved a constitutional amendment establishing the state’s initiative and referendum process 117 years ago, on September 15. The vote was 53,785 (68.7%) to 24,543 (31.3%). Maine was the seventh state to adopt the initiative and referendum, and the first state east of the Mississippi River. The constitutional amendment provided for an indirect…
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California Prop 50 campaigns top $41.4m, exceeding combined funding for three prior initiatives to create, expand, and repeal the Citizens Redistricting Commission
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…
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This week, 166 years ago, voters in southern California approved a measure to separate from the state and form a new territory
Dividing California into two or more states has been discussed several times in recent years—State of Jefferson, Six Californias, Cal 3, and now a two-state proposal from Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-3). While there have been attempts at statewide ballot measures to divide California, the legislature referred just one to the ballot: the Pico…
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California voters to decide Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment to allow for a new congressional district map, in a November special election
The California State Legislature passed a constitutional amendment, titled Proposition 50, to allow the state to use a new congressional district map for 2026 through 2030. Voters will decide on the measure in a special election on Nov. 4, 2025. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) proposed allowing the Legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts…