As Antonio Villaraigosa took to the press conference podium on Tuesday morning, the California governor hopeful discussed a topic on the minds of both Democrats and Republicans across the country: nationwide redistricting.
The former Los Angeles mayor expressed support for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new addition to the November election ballot, Proposition 50.
“I think it’s time for peaceful demonstrations all over this country to say no to a Supreme Court that doesn’t believe in civil liberties and human rights, no to an administration that is threatening our democracy, that doesn’t believe in elections and is trying to rig one as we speak,” Villaraigosa said. “And by the way, let me be clear, that’s why I support Proposition 50.”
The proposition, known as The Election Rigging Response Act, came in response to Texas’ recent redistricting that was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbot in late August. The mid-cycle redistricting of Texas’ congressional map comes as “President Trump and Republicans are attempting to gain enough seats through redistricting to rig the outcome of the 2026 United States midterm election regardless of how the people vote,” according to the proposed California constitutional amendment.
California’s redistricting would allow for the gain of up to five House seats for the Democratic Party, equating to the five seats Republicans’ could gain in Texas.
According to Newsom’s website, the proposition will “retain California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission and declare state policy supporting the use of fair, nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide,” as well as adopt the new districts for elections through 2030.
“California will not sit idle as Trump and his Republican lapdogs shred our country’s democracy before our very own eyes,” Newsom said as he announced the creation of Proposition 50 in August.
Patrick Done, president of USC Trojan Democrats and third year political science major, said he feels unsure about the governor’s call to mimic Texas; however, he ultimately agrees that Newsom’s decision was what was best for a democratic system.
“What’s happening in Texas and what the president of the United States has decided to try and do by marginalizing minority voters in Texas and taking away Democratic seats during the middle of an election cycle is unprecedented,” Done said. “In normal times, I would be strongly opposed to what Gov. Newsom is trying to do, but simply because it is a response to what Texas is doing, I think it is meeting the moment.”
USC College Republicans did not respond to requests for comment as of publication time.
In contradiction, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made his criticism of redistricting efforts widely known across social media.
In a photo posted on X shortly following Newsom’s announcement, Schwarzenegger is seen wearing a shirt stating “F*** the Politicians, Terminate Gerrymandering,” as he prepared for the “gerrymandering battle.”
Conyers Davis, Global Director of USC’s Schwarzenegger Institute, said gerrymandering of all kinds should be frowned upon for its potential to quickly become “dangerous.” Davis, who has worked alongside Schwarzenegger for 20 years, emphasized his disagreement with politicians who are willing to purposefully move a vote in their direction.
“I think you should always be careful when you have politicians who want to pick their voters, rather than the voters picking the politicians,” Davis said. “You might love Gavin Newsom, you might love Donald Trump, but I think anytime you allow a politician to choose who you vote for, you’re in trouble.”
Schwarzenegger is set to discuss gerrymandering, as well as other conversations surrounding U.S. democracy, on Monday, Sept. 15, at USC’s Day of Democracy as a part of the university’s Interim President Beong-Soo Kim’s “Distinguished Speaker Series.”