California Secretary of State Shirley Weber outlined the state's preparations for next week's unusual statewide special election on Tuesday, addressing security measures, voter access and an escalating dispute over federal election monitoring as voters prepare to decide whether to temporarily hand congressional redistricting back to the Legislature.
The Nov. 4 election features only one item on the ballot: Proposition 50, which would replace California's independent redistricting commission with a Legislature-drawn congressional map through 2030. The single-issue contest has generated extraordinary national attention and controversy for what Weber called "a very small election."
"This is a very, I say it's a little election. It's a yes, no answer in a statewide election, and yet it has generated a tremendous amount of interest," Weber said during a virtual media briefing Tuesday morning.
As of two days ago, nearly 5 million Californians had already cast ballots in the special election, Weber said. The state mailed approximately 23 million ballots to all registered voters in early October.
Unique Election Raises Security Concerns
The special election differs from typical California contests not just in its timing and singular focus, but in the security preparations surrounding it. Weber spent considerable time addressing an emerging dispute over Republican Party efforts to deploy what they call "federal monitors" to five California counties.
Weber's office was not notified in advance of the monitoring plan, she said, learning of it only through press releases. State attorneys have informed federal officials that this is a state election, not a federal one, and therefore does not fall under federal jurisdiction.
"The monitoring that occurs during an election is really triggered by complaints that the court has decided is valid," Weber said. Without court orders, she said, those who wish to observe California elections have the same rights as any other citizen but no special authority.
"They do not have the authority to come in and to change things, to alter things, to move things," Weber said. She emphasized that would-be monitors cannot bring weapons into polling places or position themselves close enough to see how people vote or observe signatures on documents.
Anyone attempting to intimidate voters faces prosecution and removal from polling sites, Weber warned.
"Anyone who comes in with a gun or anything of that nature with the intent to intimidate people in the voting place, that is a violation, and they will be incarcerated," she said.
Multiple Voting Options, Postal Service Concerns
California's "more days, more ways" voting system provides 11 days of early voting, with all registered voters receiving mail ballots that require no postage to return. The state offers multiple secure ballot drop boxes throughout each county, in-person early voting that began in October and traditional Election Day polling from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
However, Weber raised new concerns about the U.S. Postal Service's ability to postmark ballots mailed on Election Day itself. In some areas where collection boxes are not within a certain distance, the Postal Service cannot guarantee same-day postmarking, she said.
"We're encouraging everyone to vote early to make sure if, especially if they're using the Postal Service, to at least put their ballot in the mailbox but at least by the third of November, to ensure that it is going to be postmarked," Weber said.
Voters who use official ballot drop boxes can deposit ballots as late as Election Day and have them counted, she said. The steel drop boxes, which Weber repeatedly described as highly secure, are located at libraries, community centers and other public facilities throughout the state.
"Those mailboxes are steel. They're probably the most secure thing we have in voting," Weber said.
Voters who never received a ballot, lost one or damaged it can obtain a replacement ballot. The original ballot will be voided to prevent any possibility of double voting, Weber said.
The state's voter hotline—1-800-345-VOTE—remains open through Election Day evening for anyone experiencing difficulties or wishing to report intimidation or irregularities.
"If you see something, or you have something that you know that is taking place that's not correct, get as much information as you can without necessarily disrupting the system," Weber said, urging people to note license plate numbers, specific locations and other details when reporting concerns.
Monitoring and Observation Protocols
California has always had election monitors, Weber explained, but these are typically trained state employees who ensure polling places open on time, that voting equipment is properly positioned to protect voter privacy, and that no violations of election law occur.
The state also allows citizen observers, who can watch ballot processing and counting from designated areas. Observers cannot get close enough to see individual ballots or voters' names, but can observe the general process. Such observation has been permitted since the start of the 11-day early voting period.
"We always have persons who come in and who basically observe the election that's taking place. They have a right to do that and we allow them to do that," Weber said.
But observers must maintain proper distance, cannot touch election materials, and cannot interfere with the voting process or intimidate voters. If too many observers appear and threaten to block voters from accessing polling places, election officials will limit access to ensure voting continues unimpeded.
The distinction Weber drew repeatedly was that legitimate observers operate under California law and county registrar protocols, while those claiming to be federal monitors have no court authorization and no special authority beyond what any citizen possesses.
Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has prepared volunteer attorneys trained in election law to respond quickly to any legal issues that arise, Weber said, a standard practice for all California elections.
Language Access and Outreach
California provides election materials in 10 languages, with Spanish-language resources the most extensive given the state's large Hispanic population. Voters can request assistance from anyone except employers or union representatives when filling out ballots, either at polling places or at home.
Addressing concerns in Latino communities about immigration enforcement at polling places, Weber encouraged voters who feel uncomfortable voting in person to use the secure ballot drop boxes instead.
"If you feel uncomfortable about it, use our mailbox," Weber said. "Put your ballot into that steel ballot box that's very secure that you can't reach in and get anything out."
Voters who register for California's "Where's My Ballot?" tracking system receive notifications when their ballot is received, opened and counted, providing additional assurance.
What Proposition 50 Would Do
Proposition 50 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that would temporarily replace California's current congressional map, drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, with a new map created by the state Legislature. The Legislature-drawn map would be used for elections from 2026 through 2030. After the 2030 census, the independent commission would regain authority to draw new districts for 2031 and beyond.
The proposition also expresses California's symbolic support for requiring independent redistricting commissions in all states, though this language has no binding effect on federal law.
A yes vote means California would use the Legislature-drawn congressional map until 2030. A no vote keeps the existing commission-drawn map in place until after the next census.
Why It's on the Ballot
Democratic legislative leaders placed Proposition 50 on the ballot in direct response to Texas Republicans adopting new U.S. House maps in August 2025—an unusual mid-decade redistricting undertaken without any court order. Texas Republicans openly acknowledged their goal was partisan advantage, with the plan projected to add up to five Republican congressional seats.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California legislative leaders argued they needed to "fight fire with fire" to protect representation. They contend using a Democratic-leaning map in California for the next few elections would "nullify what happens in Texas" by roughly offsetting those five seats, with the important distinction that California's change would be approved by voters rather than imposed unilaterally.
Analysts estimated the Legislature's proposed map could allow California Democrats to flip as many as five currently Republican-held House seats if Prop 50 passes.
California voters created the independent citizens' commission in 2010 to remove redistricting from politicians' hands, with rules against favoring incumbents or splitting communities. The commission's 2021 map was expected to remain through 2030.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters—including Newsom, the California Democratic Party, former President Barack Obama, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Elizabeth Warren, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—call Proposition 50 the "Election Rigging Response Act" and argue it's necessary to counter unprecedented Republican gerrymandering.
They characterize it as a temporary, emergency measure to "level the playing field" so GOP gerrymanders elsewhere don't unfairly dilute Californians' congressional voice. The measure expires after 2030, after which California's independent redistricting would resume.
"We can't unilaterally disarm" when other states are gerrymandering, Newsom has said.
Supporters argue California is taking a stand for democracy by enacting an emergency map through a vote of the people. They note the proposal reaffirms California's long-term commitment to independent redistricting and urges a national move toward nonpartisan map-drawing in all 50 states.
Backing comes from organizations including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the NAACP and teachers' unions. The national House Majority PAC is a top donor supporting the measure.
Arguments Against
Opponents—including the California Republican Party, virtually all state GOP elected officials, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and several members of California's first Citizens Redistricting Commission—call Proposition 50 a cynical power grab that betrays California's commitment to fair elections.
They argue California voters overwhelmingly established the independent commission to stop lawmakers from drawing their own districts. Prop 50 would "throw out citizen-drawn maps" from a transparent public process in favor of boundaries "secretly drawn" by politicians behind closed doors, critics say.
Opponents reject fighting gerrymandering with more gerrymandering, warning that escalating partisan map-drawing will erode democracy long-term. They argue California would lose moral authority by abandoning its nonpartisan process, potentially normalizing tit-for-tat gerrymanders nationwide.
The Legislature-drawn map is accused of splitting cities and counties more often than the citizen map, weakening local representation. Critics contend it eliminates protections against drawing lines to favor parties or incumbents.
Opponents also criticize holding a special election solely for this amendment, estimating the cost at around $200 million. Conservative donor Charles Munger Jr., a key funder of the 2008 redistricting reform, has contributed to the opposition campaign.
Business groups including the California Farm Bureau and Manufacturers Association, along with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, urge a no vote. Several past redistricting commission members argue Prop 50 undermines their work.
Voting Details
All registered California voters received mail ballots by early October. Ballots can be returned by mail if postmarked by Election Day or dropped in official ballot drop boxes available in every county through 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.
In-person voting began Oct. 6 at county election offices and vote centers. Polling places will be open Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The registration deadline was Oct. 20, though California allows same-day voter registration at polling sites.
Weber emphasized that regardless of the national attention and controversy, California's election security measures remain robust and voting access remains broad.
"We want to make sure that everyone understands that California is very serious about voting, and we are protective of the things that we see that are very important and that no one should ever be intimidated at the polling place," Weber said.