On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom, alongside Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate pro Tempore Mike McGuire, signed the “Election Rigging Response Act” legislative package.

Newsom’s office said the package will give Californians an opportunity this November to push back against President Trump’s power grab in Texas and other Republican-led states.

In doing so, Proposition 50 — named for the 50 United States — would allow Californians an opportunity to bring some much-needed accountability to the Trump Administration. 

“Californians have been uniquely targeted by the Trump Administration, and thanks to the hard work of the California legislature, they will have a choice to fight back — and bring much needed accountability to Trump’s efforts to undermine the democratic process,” said Newsom.

About the legislative package

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (Rivas, McGuire): allows Californians the ability to adopt a new, temporary Congressional map, in response to the congressional redistricting in Texas, that neutralizes Trump’s power grab.

Senate Bill 280 (Cervantes, Pellerin): establishes timelines and procedures to conduct a statewide special election for Proposition 50, and provides the funding for the special election, set to take place on November 4, 2025.

Assembly Bill 604 (Aguiar-Curry, Gonzalez): establishes the temporary Congressional District Maps that would take effect if the people vote to pass ACA 8 on November 4.

This bill package implements Governor Newsom’s framework announced last week in Los Angeles at the Democracy Center, alongside leaders from across the Golden State like Planned Parenthood, labor unions, community organizations and educators, as well as key elected officials at the federal, state, and local level. 

“California will not be a bystander to Trump’s power grab,” said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “We are acting to defend our state from his attacks, by taking it directly to the voters. Californians believe in democracy and freedom, and we will not stand by while the House is hijacked by authoritarianism. Today, we gave every Californian the opportunity to stop Trump by saying yes to our people, to our state, and to American democracy.”

"The Election Rigging Response Act legislation allows voters the chance to stop Trump and Republican attempts to blatantly steal our election," said pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). "This legislation is temporary, and it's all about fairness. And, today's action means we're fighting back for our democracy and our future — not with fire — but with the power of the voters and millions of folks across the Golden State."

Gov. Newsom also issued a proclamation calling the special election for Nov. 4, 2025.