Gov. Newsom rallies supporters in LA for Prop 50 ahead of Election Day

Trisha Swift, from Orange County, was dressed in a suffragette outfit with a button and sign that read “Yes on Prop 50.” Swift was one of hundreds of volunteers invited to attend a rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 1, that recognized them for their phonebanking and campaign efforts for Proposition 50.

“This is our lives and we need to do something about it,” Swift said, being moved to help by donating to the campaign and phonebanking in the past couple of weeks. “I want my kids to be able to live here and have a life they deserve.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with other electeds from across California and the nation, hosted the rally at the Los Angeles Convention Center with hundreds in attendance to celebrate the efforts on behalf of Prop. 50.

The proposition is the mid-decade redistricting effort to adopt new, gerrymandered maps impacting California’s congressional districts to benefit Democrats. Newsom and others who support the move say they’re doing this to counter similar gerrymandering efforts by Republicans in red states who, at the urging of President Donald Trump, are trying to secure additional seats for the GOP to ensure their party retains control of the House after next year’s midterm elections.

Proposition 50 opponents’ message to Californians has focused on voters choosing “good governance,” rather than partisan politics.

Jessica Millan Patterson, the former head of the California Republican Party who is leading the No on 50 camp said last week that she believes there are voters, on either side of the political aisle, who believe this mid-cycle redistricting is wrong.

During Saturday’s event, elected officials shared remarks about the importance of the election not only benefiting Californians but also making an impact across the country.

“They never expected this,” Newsom said during the rally. “It is not about Trump, this election, at the end of the day it’s about the future of our country.

“The future is not in front of us, it’s inside of us,” Newsom added. “Thank you for all that you have done to get us to this remarkable moment in this campaign. Over the next 72 hours let’s bring home this historic victory for democracy.”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made an appearance and shared similar sentiments.

“I want to thank everyone here, all the folks who have been canvassing, knocking on doors, talking with your friends and neighbors,” Harris said, “taking with all folks about the power of the people, because that’s what this is about. It is about reminding folks that we refuse to knwwl at the foot of a tyrant.”

People in California and across the country still believe in the power of the vote, Harris added, and are prepared to fight fire with fire.

Other elected officials from the Los Angeles area and California spoke during the event, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, county Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rep. Judy Chu, Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen. Alex Padilla.

“Another reminder of what’s on the line; have you seen what our country’s been going through this year?” Padilla said. “Billionaires are getting richer, our health care is getting cut, they’re cutting nutrition assistance programs, and reproductive rights are being threatened.”

“I think by voting, and voting loudly, yes on Prop. 50,” Padilla added, “California is going to be sending a message.”

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett also spoke and reminded the crowd and overall Californians of the important impact voting on Prop. 50 would have on other states as well.

Representatives from various unions, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, California Federation of Labor Unions, California Nurses Association, and Service Employees International Union, also thanked volunteers for their work, and other groups – like Roots and Wings – shared the work that members have contributed to canvas for the proposition.

“Prop. 50 is not just a ballot measure,” said SEIU President April Verrett. “Prop. 50 is a moral line in the sand. It says this country belongs to all of us.”

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, during a talk with Chapman University students last week, sharply criticized the proposition, declaring it an example of “tit-for-tat” political tactics.

“They’re trying to tell the people they have to out-cheat the Republicans in order to fight fire with fire, to preserve democracy in America,” Schwarzenegger said about the proponents of Prop. 50. “In the meantime, they’re destroying and tearing up the constitution in California.”

Schwarzenegger added: “I think America is going through a very difficult time. Politicians think first about their parties, then they think about the people.”

Staff writers Claire Wang and Linh Tat contributed to this report