Where do Fresno leaders stand on Proposition 50, the Nov. 4 special election to change California’s congressional maps?

The issue is divided mostly along party lines.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading the effort to support Prop. 50, motivated by Texas — which at the suggestion of President Donald Trump — changed its election maps to possibly switch five Democratically-held seats to Republicans.

The difference: California voters long ago approved an independent nonpartisan commission to draw district lines for state and federal offices. Texas does not have that requirement.

Voters are receiving vote-by-mail ballots this week for Prop. 50, which would amend the state constitution to bypass the independent redistricting commission and adopt congressional lines drawn by state Democrats.

If approved, the new district lines would take effect in the 2026 elections.

Several analysts say the proposed maps would make five districts currently represented by Republicans more favorable to Democratic candidates.

A recent poll from firm co/efficient found that 54% of voters support Prop 50, while 36% oppose it.

What Fresno Leaders Are Saying

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, a Republican, is against both Prop. 50, and Texas’ efforts to redistrict early.

“We have a great system in place that’s been working for decades. Why change it now?” Dyer said.

The proposed map that voters will decide can be found here.

Fresno City Council Annalisa Perea, a Democrat, is in favor.

“Proposition 50 is about election integrity and protecting democracy — two principles I live by. California didn’t ask to be in this position but Texas’ partisan redistricting efforts have forced our hand,” Perea said. She is running for state Assembly in 2026.

Perea said Californians have an option at the ballot box, something Texas does not.

Nick Richardson, the lone Republican on the city council, says he’s against the proposition. “But I’m also against federally-mandated redistricting parameters.”

Nelson Esparza says he is in “strong support.”

“National Republicans know their economic policies are unpopular with everyday Americans, and they are going down the path of overt gerrymandering to undermine this nation’s democracy,” Esparza said.

Esparza is running for State Center Community College District trustee in 2026.

Mike Karbassi declined to reveal his position, because he is running for county clerk — the office that oversees elections — in 2026.

“I’m not going to pick sides,” Karbassi said.

Clovis, Fresno County Officially Oppose

The Clovis City Council and Fresno County Board of Supervisors took official positions, both opposing Prop. 50.

The supervisors voted 3-1 on Sept. 23 to oppose the measure.

Garry Bredefeld, Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes, all Republicans, voted in favor of opposing Prop. 50. Luis Chavez, a Democrat, voted no; Brian Pacheco, also a Democrat, abstained.

Magsig argued that the proposed congressional maps would dilute the county’s Washington, D.C., representation — increasing it from four to six districts. Western Fresno County could be represented by a Bay Area congressmember, currently Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose.

Chavez countered that it is a good thing for multiple representatives to advocate for the community. He said the voters should weigh in.

Pacheco said what both California and Texas are doing is wrong, and he did not have a position.

Splitting Up Clovis

Monday, the Clovis City Council voted 4-0 (Lynne Ashbeck was absent) to oppose Prop. 50.

Currently, Clovis is entirely within Congressional District 20, represented by Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield. Under the new proposal, the city would be spread across three districts — 20, 21 (represented by Jim Costa, D-Fresno); and 5 (represented by Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove).

Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua said talking to three representatives would make his job more difficult.

“I don’t live in Texas. I don’t vote in Texas,” Councilmember Drew Bessinger said .

State Dems Voted to Place on Ballot

State legislators representing the Fresno area also split largely along party lines on whether to place Prop. 50 on the ballot.

Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, voted against, making her the lone Democrat to oppose it.

Esmeralda Soria, the Fresno Assembly Democrat, is in favor.

“Prop. 50 puts voters in the driver’s seat. They get to decide how we protect our voice in Congress. I support Prop. 50 and support fighting to protect California,” Soria said.

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, told the Bakersfield Californian she is undecided how she would vote on the proposition.

“I oppose Prop. 50. Gov. Newsom doesn’t deserve more power. We cannot let him and the California Legislature strip the Valley of our voice,” said state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield.

Labor For, Business Against

Several labor and social justice groups are in support of the proposition.

Dillon Savory, executive director of the Fresno-Madera-Tulare-Kings Central Labor Council, said his group will not stand by while other states gerrymander.

“Our members overwhelmingly want a new direction from our national representatives. Prop. 50 is about leveling the current battlefield for the future of our democracy or economy,” Savory said.

Other groups opposed to Prop. 50, according to the No on 50 Protect Voters First campaign include the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Central Valley Taxpayers Association, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau.

“Rural representation is under direct attack with Fresno County unfortunately being a prime example,” said Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen.

Jacobsen said the previous redistricting commissions listened to thousands of public comments.

“The Prop. 50 maps stitch together vastly different regions for political convenience that will harm representation in areas like ours,” Jacobsen said.