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Temecula council adopts resolution opposing California Proposition 50, 4-1
Summary
In a 4-1 vote, Temecula’s council approved a resolution opposing Proposition 50 on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot, citing concerns about mid-decade redistricting, cost and the replacement of the independent redistricting commission.
The Temecula City Council on Sept. 23 adopted a resolution opposing Proposition 50 — the ballot measure captioned as the Election Rigging Response Act — by a 4-1 vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander moved the resolution; Councilmember Stewart seconded. The motion passed 4-1, with Councilmember Schwenk casting the lone no vote.
Council debate and public comment focused on two themes: the substance of the measure and its timing and cost. Staff and council members described the measure as an amendment to the state constitution (referenced in the meeting as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8) that would temporarily permit legislative bodies to draw congressional maps for use in the 2026–2030 elections and suspend the work of the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for that purpose.
A public speaker, Rick Reese, urged the council to oppose the measure and called it “a cynical power play” that would concentrate power in Sacramento; council speakers including Mayor Pro Tem Alexander, Mayor and Councilmembers echoed concerns about mid‑cycle redistricting, the potential to change Temecula’s federal representation as early as 2026, and an estimated state cost some comments cited as roughly $250 million.
Mayor Pro Tem Alexander said Temecula had benefited from long-standing relationships with its current congressional representatives and that changing representation mid‑decade could disrupt those ties. “We have intentionally and carefully built wonderful and great relationships,” Alexander said at the meeting, urging colleagues to consider what is best for Temecula.
Councilmember Ron described litigation nationally over mid‑decade redistricting and questioned whether the measure would rely on current census data; he and other members also noted the estimated cost. Councilmember Stewart said “two wrongs don’t make a right,” opposing mid‑cycle map changes whether coming from other states or California.
The council recorded the resolution as a formal city position on the statewide measure; members said individuals may act independently but urged residents to research arguments on both sides before voting.
Action details: The council moved to adopt a resolution opposing Proposition 50; the motion carried 4-1 (Schwenk voting no). The meeting transcript records the mover as Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and the second as Councilmember Stewart.
