In a briefing hosted by American Community Media and Common Cause, experts warned about partisan gerrymandering risks and racial disparities in voter participation. The November 4 election aims to redraw congressional districts and safeguard voters’ voices amid growing national political tensions.
California is heading toward an unprecedented special election on November 4 — one that could redefine the balance of power in Congress. New congressional districts will be on the ballot, and with them, the question of who truly gets represented in America’s most populous state.
In a briefing titled “Redistricting, Representation, and Voter Resources,” held by American Community Media (ACoM) and Common Cause, nonpartisan experts examined the political and civic implications of this election, the role of the Voting Rights Act, and the resources available to ensure that all Californians can cast their ballots freely and fairly.
Redrawing Power and Defending Representation
Darius Kemp, Executive Director of California Common Cause, framed the election as a test of democratic integrity rather than partisan strategy. “This vote is about representation — not about lines on a map,” he said.
Kemp explained that the upcoming redistricting process in California is, in part, a response to former President Donald Trump’s demand for new congressional maps in Texas, designed to favor the Republican Party ahead of next year’s midterms. “California seeks to counterbalance that move with new maps proposed in this special election,” he added.
He also reminded that Common Cause has long advocated for transparent and equitable redistricting. “When we talk about redistricting, we are talking about electoral justice — fair votes and a fair future for everyone,” Kemp said. The organization helped create the California Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2010 and has since overseen redistricting processes in more than 60 cities, counties, and school boards across the state.
Beyond California’s borders, the briefing drew attention to the looming threat against the Voting Rights Act, as the Supreme Court considers Louisiana v. Callais. Dan Vicuña, Senior Policy Director for Voting and Fair Representation at Common Cause, warned that the case could “eliminate any racial consideration in drawing legislative districts, virtually erasing Black, Latino, and Asian representation in Congress.”
Barriers to the Ballot and Protecting the Vote
Brittany Stonesifer, Senior Program Manager for Voting Rights and Redistricting at California Common Cause, detailed the structural inequalities that still shape participation in California’s elections. “California is a diverse state, but its electorate doesn’t reflect that diversity,” she said.
According to data shared during the briefing, white voters make up 41% of the adult population but 55% of the electorate, while Latinos account for 35% of adults yet only 21% of voters. Asian Americans comprise 15% of adults and 14% of voters. These disparities, Stonesifer explained, “become even greater in special elections, when voter turnout is lower.”
That is why Common Cause emphasizes voter engagement and election protection. “The electorate has to reflect the population,” she said. “Election protection and voter support are critical — especially when turnout drops.”
To safeguard voter participation, Common Cause will once again activate its Nonpartisan Election Protection Program, which trains volunteers across California to monitor polling places and report irregularities. “They are the first line of defense against intimidation, misinformation, outdated infrastructure, and confusing rules,” Stonesifer explained.
The organization will operate the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, available in ten languages, and will deploy trained monitors throughout Southern California. Additional voter resources are available at californiacommoncause.org/voteca.
Proposition 50 and the Call to Action
The panel also addressed the political tension surrounding Proposition 50, which will be on the November ballot. Vicuña noted that a potential Republican legal challenge could reopen the debate over partisan gerrymandering. “In 2019, the Supreme Court decided that federal courts cannot determine when political manipulation goes too far — that was a failure of democracy,” he said.
Kemp was more direct: “Trump’s redistricting push isn’t about people’s representation. It’s a private war to win more seats.”
As the briefing concluded, the speakers united around a message of civic empowerment. “Your vote matters because it builds community,” said Kemp. “It’s not just about electing officials — it’s about protecting ourselves as a society.”
Vicuña added, “Elected officials won’t listen if they know you don’t show up.”
And Stonesifer closed with a reflection that captured the spirit of the discussion: “Democracy works best when it’s fair and representative. It’s not perfect, but it evolves — and it only evolves when people participate.”
Kemp ended on a hopeful note despite the climate of political fear: “If people live in a constant state of fear, we’ll never move forward. We have to build hope through collective action.”