By Gabe Ferris 
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 6:29PM
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — With California voters set to decide on a rare, mid-decade redistricting plan, a coalition to stop it is now forming in Fresno.
“Our entire Central Valley is being affected by this,” Fresno County District 5 Supervisor Nathan Magsig said.
Prop 50 would override the state’s independent commission on redistricting that voters approved in 2010.
“Proposition 50 continues to cut up the state of California, making it very difficult, not only for voters, but just for us to have appropriate representation,” Magsig said.
Campaigns on both sides are now intensifying.
Some voters are receiving mailers encouraging them to vote no.
“A special election to turn back the clock on fair elections,” one mailer reads. Another characterizes Proposition 50 as a “power grab” by Sacramento.
“They fired the first shot in Texas,” Governor Newsom said at a bill signing on August 21. “We wouldn’t be here had Texas not done what they just did.”
Newsom and state Democrats say their hands were forced, highlighting that President Trump acted first when he asked Texas to add Republican seats.
The Valley opponents on Wednesday were reluctant to criticize him.
“You call it politics and say that you’re against it here. Do you support what the president is doing in Texas?” Action News asked Clint Olivier, the Central Valley Business Federation CEO.
“I don’t know what the president is doing in Texas,” Olivier said.
“Redistricting,” Action News responded.
“Texas is for Texas, and California is for me,” Olivier replied.
The proposition would divide Fresno County into six congressional districts, up from its current four.
The proposed 18th District would extend from Downtown San Jose to western Fresno County. Coalinga farmer and Westlands Board Member William Bourdeau believes it is too big.
“I think we need representatives that understand our area,” Bourdeau said. “Water supply is critical to our farming operations.”
Supporters planned to speak on Wednesday, but rescheduled following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Newsom previously said Proposition 50 is about democracy…
“We’re responding to what occurred in Texas,” Newsom said on August 21. “We’re neutralizing what occurred, and we’re giving the American people a fair chance.”
Voters in Fresno County can expect to receive their ballots at the beginning of October. Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters James Kus tells Action News that his office will mail them out on October 6.
https://abc30.com/post/valley-opposition-prop-50-grows-special-election-nears/17789098
