Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on voters to reject the state’s redistricting ballot measure, calling it a proposition “against democracy.”
Schwarzenegger vehemently opposed the redistricting proposal, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), set to hit statewide ballots in a special election on Nov. 4. Californians will voice their opinions on whether to redistrict the state’s congressional map in an effort that would give Democrats five more of the state’s 52 House seats and a 48-4 advantage.
DEMOCRATS RELEASE NEW CALIFORNIA MAP THAT TARGETS FIVE GOP DISTRICTS
Newsom and California Democrats advanced that redistricting map, called Proposition 50, in reaction to President Donald Trump’s push to redistrict Texas and other red states. Schwarzenegger sharply criticized the idea that Democrats need to use the same tactics to fight Trump’s efforts at redistricting, saying that “two bad behaviors don’t make a right behavior.”
The former Republican governor, bodybuilder, and Terminator star has been a longtime critic of Trump. He endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2024.
Schwarzenegger said the redrawing of the map was not transparent, as it was redrawn by politicians, not California voters, and released by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“They are trying to fight for democracy by getting rid of the democratic principles of California,” he said. “It is insane to let that happen. This is why it is important for you to vote no on Proposition 50.”
Schwarzenegger made the comments while speaking before a crowd at the University of Southern California, directly urging students to vote no on the special election question. He said redistricting makes it too easy for politicians of the favored party not to perform as well in their home districts, since they have much smaller chances of voters flipping the district in retaliation.
“When they draw the district lines fair, there’s competition and therefore the parties have to perform,” he said. “As soon as they go and draw the district lines themselves, they don’t have to perform.”
CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING BALLOT MEASURE COULD COST OVER $280 MILLION IN SPECIAL ELECTION: REPORT
The special election this fall could cost the state over $280 million, according to a report from the Mercury News.
Newsom said he would reimburse California counties for costs associated with the special election for Proposition 50.