Supporters Lead in Fundraising for Prop. 50, but Race Remains Close

"Opponents of Prop. 50, which would redraw boundaries of many of the state's congressional districts, want voters to resist gerrymandering. Supporters are doing everything they can to make the election about Trump. The Yes side has largely outraised and outspent its opponents, pulling in nearly $97 million - more than double the No side's haul of $42 million - and garnered far more big names to appear in its ads."

""Democracy is on the ballot," the 44th president says straight to camera in the latest advertisement from Gov. Gavin Newsom's campaign for Proposition 50, the ballot question that asks voters to temporarily gerrymander California's congressional districts to favor Democrats. "Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years," Obama continues in the seven-figure ad buy airing across California, referring to GOP-led redistricting efforts President Donald Trump has backed in other states like Texas. "With Prop. 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks.""

Prop. 50 would temporarily redraw many of California's congressional districts to advantage Democratic candidates, prompting heavy spending by both sides ahead of the Nov. 4 ballot deadline. Supporters have raised about $97 million and frame the measure as a way to block Republican redistricting efforts backed by Donald Trump, using high-profile ads featuring Barack Obama. Opponents have raised roughly $42 million and press a good-governance, anti-gerrymandering message. Recent polling shows a close contest, making late persuasion and turnout—especially among Latino voters—critical. Bay Area districts would largely be unaffected while the measure targets districts that have voted Republican.

Read at San Jose Inside