Arnold Schwarzenegger Urges Californians to Reject Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging voters to oppose Proposition 50, a ballot initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats that would allow the state to temporarily redraw its congressional maps through 2030.

Speaking at the University of Southern California on Monday, Schwarzenegger called the measure a step backward. “If you vote yes on that, we go backwards,” he told the crowd, framing his opposition as a matter of protecting democracy rather than partisanship.

The measure would override the state Constitution and dismantle the independent redistricting commission created by voters in 2008 and 2010. Under the plan, Democrats could gain as many as five additional congressional seats. Supporters argue the move is necessary to counter Republican redistricting efforts in Texas.

Schwarzenegger, who has long campaigned against gerrymandering, dismissed that reasoning. “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said, adding that Democrats are trying to “become Trump” by taking power away from voters.

He also pointed out that none of the former commissioners who once drew California’s district maps were invited to participate in the process, saying the maps were crafted entirely by politicians.

The former governor recalled his own frustrations with partisan maps while in office from 2003 to 2011. “I could see, when I was sitting as governor, how we couldn’t get things done because of the way the districts were drawn,” he said. After an early failed attempt to have judges draw district lines, California voters eventually approved the creation of an independent commission.

Supporters of Proposition 50 pushed back on Schwarzenegger’s criticism by tying the measure directly to former President Donald Trump. “Voting Yes on 50 is California’s best chance of blocking Trump’s unprecedented redistricting power grab,” said campaign spokesperson Hannah Milgrom, who argued that unchecked Republican control could result in cuts to healthcare, women’s rights, and university funding.

Proposition 50 will appear on California’s November ballot.

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