The League of Women Voters of Sacramento County hosted a public forum explaining Proposition 50, the ballot measure on California's special election that would temporarily change the state's congressional district maps through 2030 and return map-drawing authority to the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2031.

At the forum, Lexi Tesch, outreach coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County, and League member Calum Lotto summarized what the measure would do, the arguments supporters and opponents are making, and how voters can participate in the election.

"This special election is to decide whether to temporarily change California's congressional voting districts through 2030 and then give map drawing back to the Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2031," Tesch said. She described the special election as a response to national redistricting actions discussed by state leaders.

Lotto provided a brief fiscal summary and voting logistics. "The fiscal impact would be $200,000 for the state and a few million dollars for the election," he said, and noted that figure is a small share of the state's overall budget. He also outlined voter deadlines: to receive a mail ballot, register to vote by Oct. 20; vote centers open Oct. 24 for in-person voting or ballot drop-off.

Speakers at the forum summarized both sides of the measure. "People for Prop 50 say Prop 50 is a short term temporary emergency plan needed to stop President Trump's attempt to unfairly rig next year's congressional election," Tesch said, characterizing supporters' arguments that the measure would produce fair maps that reflect communities and protect against partisan gerrymandering.

On the other side, Lotto summarized opponents' arguments: "People against Prop 50 say Prop 50 is a power grab by politicians that undoes fair election reforms and returns California to gerrymandered districts that benefit politicians over voters," he said, noting opponents' concerns about reduced transparency, divided neighborhoods and potential long-term control of mapmaking.

The forum also gave practical voting information for Sacramento County residents. The presentation listed the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office phone number (916-875-6451) for voters who had not received a ballot, and directed voters to vote411.org to check registration and to the California Secretary of State's polling-place page (sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place) to find polling locations. Presenters also referred listeners to a draft-district map posted at statewidedatabase.org/d25/draft-districts/.

No formal government action or vote occurred at the forum; it was informational. The League of Women Voters described the organization as nonpartisan and said it does not support or oppose candidates but does take study-based positions on ballot measures.

Resources and contact information announced at the forum included vote411.org for ballot content and the Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office at (916) 875-6451 for ballot inquiries.