Dozens of residents asked the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 to rescind a prior board resolution opposing Proposition 50 and to let voters decide the ballot measure.

Retired Judge Robert Tafoya told the board, “I ask that this board take a neutral position on Proposition 50 and let the voters decide for themselves.” Several speakers who followed — including community groups, students and longtime activists — urged the supervisors to withdraw the county’s opposition and to respect the nonpartisan role of an elected board.

Why it matters: Speakers said Proposition 50 is a response to recent redistricting moves in other states and characterized the measure as a defense of representative democracy. Supporters said a local board position opposing the proposition undermines public confidence in an elected body that, they said, should be nonpartisan in its official acts.

What residents said: Youth leaders, faith leaders and organizers framed the issue as broader than partisan politics. Dolores Huerta told the board, “All we’re asking you to do is to rescind your vote that you gave against Proposition 50,” and several speakers linked the vote to federal and statewide concerns about voting power and fairness.

Board response and outcome: Supervisors heard public comment for roughly 90 minutes. Several supervisors responded from the dais, reiterating their positions and explaining why they cast prior votes. Supervisor Peters said he appreciates public engagement and stood by his prior vote; Supervisor Couch and others described constitutional and rural/urban representation concerns they considered when voting. The board did not take a new vote to rescind or amend its earlier position during the meeting.

Discussion vs. action: The meeting’s public comment portion produced no formal reversal or new resolution; the record shows robust public advocacy and clarification from supervisors but no board action to change the earlier position on Proposition 50.

What happens next: The measure will proceed to the ballot process at the state level; residents who addressed the board asked supervisors to publicly reconsider their earlier action and some indicated they plan to return to future meetings.

Credits: Reporting is based on public testimony and statements on the record to the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21, 2025.