PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Thirty California district attorneys, including El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, have signed a joint letter urging voters to reject Proposition 50, arguing the measure would replace the voter-approved independent redistricting commission with a partisan, legislature-drawn map and undermine public trust in elections
The DAs say Proposition 50 — placed on the Nov. 4, 2025, special election ballot by the Legislature and the governor — would put a new, legislatively drawn congressional map into effect for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections and return mapping authority to the citizens commission only after the 2030 census. Legislative Analyst’s Office+1
The prosecutors’ letter calls the proposal “a fight-fire-with-fire” approach that would
“dismantle the voter-approved California Citizens Redistricting Commission”
and warns the change would let the Legislature redraw districts behind closed doors, potentially splitting communities and diluting local voices.
For El Dorado County residents the debate is both abstract and practical: the DA who signed the letter, Vern Pierson, joined colleagues from rural and urban counties in warning that the change would erode voter confidence while supporters argue the map change is an urgent defensive move in a national power struggle over control of the U.S. House. The prosecutors’ letter reads
“Proposition 50 undermines democracy by prioritizing politicians’ power instead of preserving voter-approved reforms that improve community representation,”.
“What’s your prediction Vern?” – asks Nathan Foltz Bail Bonds
“It all comes down to turnout” – responds Vern Pierson
The letter posted by El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson:
30 California District Attorneys’ Opposition to Proposition 50
As elected district attorneys, we are committed to upholding public trust through transparency, fairness, and the rule of law. We strongly oppose Proposition 50, which seeks to dismantle the voter-approved California Citizens Redistricting Commission and reinstate partisan gerrymandering—a flawed process rejected by Californians through Proposition 11 (2008) and Proposition 20 (2010).
Proposition 50 undermines democracy by prioritizing politicians’ power instead of preserving voter-approved reforms that improve community representation. The independent commission has fairly redrawn electoral districts after the last two censuses. However, Proposition 50 would allow the State Legislature to secretly craft new congressional maps before the next census—dividing communities and silencing voters. This erodes trust in government and ignores the clear mandate for independent redistricting.
Moreover, Proposition 50’s special election carries a staggering $300-million price tag—funds that could support voter-approved Proposition 36’s drug treatment programs, which received nearly 70% support from Californians to address crime and addiction. While the Legislature claimed insufficient funds for these critical programs, it readily allocated millions for this unnecessary election, highlighting misplaced priorities.
Partisan gerrymandering is fundamentally wrong, regardless of who perpetrates it or where it occurs. Two wrongs do not make a right. In Proposition 50, the Governor of California has proposed a “fight fire with fire” approach, dismantling a twice voter-approved bipartisan redistricting commission. In an era marked by eroding ethics and integrity—where political assassination is excused and violent rhetoric against opponents and their families is dismissed as a mere “mistake”—we must firmly say no. Such actions undermine democracy and fairness, and we must uphold principled redistricting processes that prioritize the will of the people over partisan gain.
Proposition 50 threatens fair representation and wastes resources on an effort to undo voter-approved reforms and change California’s congressional delegation solely to benefit one political party rather than uphold the will of the people. As district attorneys dedicated to institutional integrity, we urge Californians to reject Proposition 50 and protect our democratic process.
Sincerely,
Robert Priscaro District Attorney, Alpine County
Todd Riebe District Attorney, Amador County
Michael L. Ramsey District Attorney, Butte County
Matthew R. Beauchamp District Attorney, Colusa County
Vern Pierson District Attorney, El Dorado County
Lisa Smittcamp District Attorney, Fresno County
Dwayne R. Stewart District Attorney, Glenn County
Cynthia Zimmer District Attorney, Kern County
Sarah Hacker District Attorney, Kings County
Melyssah Rios District Attorney, Lassen County
Morgan Gire District Attorney, Placer County
Michael A. Hestrin District Attorney, Riverside County
Joel Buckingham District Attorney, San Benito County
Jason Anderson District Attorney, San Bernardino County
Summer Stephan District Attorney, San Diego County
Dan Dow, District Attorney San Luis Obispo County
Stephanie Bridgett District Attorney, Shasta County
Sandy Groven District Attorney, Sierra County
Kirk Andrus District Attorney, Siskiyou County
Krishna Abrams District Attorney, Solano County
Jennifer Dupre District Attorney, Los Angeles County
District Attorney,
Nathan Hochman Sutter County
Sally Moreno District Attorney, Madera County
Nina Salarno District Attorney, Modoc County
Jeannine Pacioni District Attorney, Monterey County
Allison Haley District Attorney, Napa County
Matt Rogers District Attorney, Tehama County
Tim Ward District Attorney, Tulare County
Jeff Reisig District Attorney, Yolo County
Clint Curry District Attorney, Yuba County
Related story:
South Tahoe Chamber Urges “No” on Prop 50
• What to watch in El Dorado County: local voter-info mailings, vote center locations and any county notices about district changes if the measure passes. Legislative Analyst’s Office
• Want to read the measure text and official analysis? See the California Voter Information Guide and LAO
