California Labor fights to pass ‘Election Rigging Response Act’

By Sheri Williams

California Labor has gone all-in on a campaign to support the passage of Prop. 50, the temporary redistricting ballot measure meant to protect democracy by offsetting a Texas scheme to put more Republicans in Congress.

“We’ve got to fight fire with fire and that’s what Prop. 50 is all about,” said Sacramento Central Labor Council executive director Fabrizio Sasso at a kickoff event for the campaign.

“This is our chance to make sure we end Trump’s anti-worker, anti-immigrant, anti-democracy push in this country and it’s the California Labor movement that will make sure that we do so. So it’s our responsibility to show up and do the work to make sure Prop. 50 passes.”

The SCLC is running a series of phone banking and canvassing events leading up to the November 4 election and is in need of volunteers.

“Donald Trump and his billionaire allies are working to undermine our elections and dismantle our democratic system—but we’re organized, united, and ready to fight back,” Sasso said. “But we need your help.”

Prop. 50, also known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” was proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this summer after Texas legislators announced they would redraw their voting maps to potentially create five more seats that would likely go to Republicans, ensuring that the GOP remains in control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 mid-terms.

“Trump is redrawing maps to force a Congress that only answers to him—not the people,” said Newsom.

Republicans currently hold a majority in both houses, allowing President Trump unprecedented power to implement an agenda that has been detrimental to unions, including deporting immigrants, stripping union rights from thousands of federal workers, slashing medical insurance and access for thousands and cutting safety net and educational programs nationwide.

If Prop. 50 passes, it will temporarily redraw California’s voting maps to favor Democrats, potentially creating five new Democratic seats and offsetting the Texas gerrymander.

“Prop. 50 draws a line in the sand,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. “As Democrats, we fundamentally believe there should be fair districts in all 50 states. But the truth is plain to see. Republicans started this fight, and we are not backing down. So let’s be clear. Prop. 50 is our chance to fight back.”

Matsui continued, “When they try to silence us, we get louder. When they try to rig the systems, we fight back harder. And when we fight, we win.”

Unions including SEIU 2015 and SEIU 1000 are at the forefront of the campaign to help pass the measure.

“Here at Local 1000, we are not standing for it, and we are backing Prop. 50,” said Anica Walls, president of SEIU Local 1000. “This isn’t just politics. This is about our lives and our power as workers.”