California and Santa Clara County held a special election on Nov. 4, which had two issues on the ballot: Proposition 50, focused on House of Representatives map redistricting in the state, and Measure A, a 0.625% general sales tax for the County.

Prop 50

California voters approved Prop 50, a sweeping constitutional change that shifts redistricting power from an independent citizen’s commission back to the state legislature temporarily, on Nov. 4. The measure passed by a comfortable margin, delivering a major victory for Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders who championed the effort. Social studies teacher Max Zipperstein shared that the effort was framed as a counterpunch to partisan gerrymandering efforts in predominantly Republican states, especially Texas, arguing it protects California’s voice in Congress.

“Due to the current political landscape, California Democrats agreed to allow voters to decide how redistricting should take place in their state to ‘defend’ the redistricting actions that were taking place in Texas,” he wrote in an email. “Redistricting usually takes place within a year after a Census was given. So, the fact that Texas planned to redraw their maps two years before the midterms, and five years after the last census is unprecedented. California basically chose to allow its voters to decide what to do.”

Newsom, progressive backers and allied Democrats said the new maps would help reclaim as many as five U.S. House of Representatives seats, bolstering the party’s national position ahead of the 2026 midterms. Critics, including Republicans — namely President Donald Trump — and some political reform advocates, blasted the measure as self-serving and undemocratic, accusing lawmakers of undermining independent review in favor of political advantage.

Polling ahead of the election indicated strong public support of the bill: An Oct. 22 CBS News survey found that about 62% of likely California voters backed Prop 50, with more than half of those citing opposition to President Donald Trump as a primary motivator. The measure ended up passing with support from 64.4% of voters of the state, while 35.6% dissented.

While Prop 50 does not directly redistrict CA District-16, it still impacts local community members.

“Whether or not CA-16 is directly impacted or not, people will always have an emotional reaction to what is going on in other parts of the country,” Zipperstein wrote. “Eligible voters need to decide for themselves what is best for them and their families, and how they want to — or not want to — participate in our democracy. For this reason, it’s important for all voters to educate themselves, pay attention to what is going on in other parts of the country, so that they can make informed decisions when they head to the ballot boxes.”

Under the measure’s terms, the legislature will draw new maps for the next three election cycles, but after the 2030 Census, the independent commission will resume its usual role.

Measure A

During the special election, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A, a five-eighths percent temporary sales tax increase. County officials say the measure could generate roughly $330 million annually to make up for severe federal funding cuts.

The tax hike, which will last five years, was placed on the ballot after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors declared a fiscal emergency on Aug. 29. The urgency stems from sweeping reductions in Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, funding following federal budget changes under H.R. 1.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga’s office — after being contacted for a statement on Measure A — redirected The Oracle to a press release and interview by Abe-Koga with the Los Altos Town Crier indicating support for Measure A.

“Our community needs this stability,” she told the Town Crier. “People are just reeling from loss — the latest in the SNAP food aid, but also overall a sense of loss, with cuts and the scarcity of things that our communities need to be healthy. Santa Clara County is taking a huge $1 billion hit in federal funding largely through Medicaid that enables our most vulnerable to access healthcare. Measure A will stanch about one-third of that loss and prevent the most severe reductions to vital county services such as healthcare, food assistance, housing, and other safety-net programs.”

The county says the revenue will go toward critical services such as trauma care, emergency rooms, mental health and public safety. Local backers also point to transparency and oversight: They say the funds will be closely monitored and easily auditable.

However, the measure has not been without controversy. Opponents caution that even though the tax is temporary, county governments can struggle to sunset new revenues. Some critics also argue that as a general county sales tax, which requires only 50% of the vote to pass, the funds may not strictly be used for healthcare. Sales tax revenue, unless bound by a super majority vote, can be allocated at the county’s discretion.

The measure was passed with support from 57.25% of the county by a margin of 14.5%. The increase in sales tax is set to begin on April 1, 2026, and continue through spring 2031.

“At the end of the day, ‘We the People’ get to make the choice and we have to accept what the majority voted for,” Zipperstein wrote. “If we don’t like it, then it is our obligation to convince others why our side of the argument is better. It’s up to the citizens to choose the direction they want to take — and it starts with choosing to exercise the power of your vote.”

An extended version of this story will be posted to The Oracle’s website (gunnoracle.com) in the coming weeks that includes interviews from notable local politicians.