Onward, Not Sideways: A Socialist Case for Voting Yes on Prop 50

In an ideal world, our ballot wouldn’t contain a measure like Proposition 50. We would have a political system built on true proportional representation, where the maps are drawn by and for the people, not by a political class to serve its own ends. But this is not that world. For decades, corporations and billionaires have spent enormous sums of money to rig our elections and consolidate their power, leaving us with a broken system that offers us two unpalatable options in a political game designed to keep the working class out of power.

Now, we are confronted with a clear and present danger: a coordinated, authoritarian project at the national level that seeks to rig elections and cement minority rule. In Texas, a partisan gerrymander is designed to steal congressional seats and consolidate power, with direct and devastating impacts on our communities—from attacks on labor rights to the ongoing assaults on immigrants.

This is a tactical moment that demands a tactical response. A "No" vote on Prop 50, while a symbolic stand against gerrymandering in all its forms, would be a unilateral disarmament in the face of an active assault on our democracy. This would be a “sideways” move. Sometimes we must fight fire with fire. 

This is where we must move onward, not sideways. Our movement is about moving forward toward a just and equitable society, rather than getting distracted by lateral battles that don't advance our cause. A "sideways" move would be to lose focus on the primary threats to our communities, or to get caught up in a political game that doesn't serve our long-term interests. That is why our endorsement of a "Yes" vote is a pragmatic one, born out of a clear-eyed assessment of the stakes.

Passing Prop 50 is an essential step in stopping the advance of fascism in the United States. It will counter Republican-led rigging of elections in states like Texas and Florida and give us a tangible chance to fight back against the Trump and billionaire agenda. 

Crucially, voting yes on Prop 50 does not disband or replace California's independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission will remain in place and is set to resume its work after the 2030 census. This is a temporary, tactical measure that buys us time to continue organizing for a better world.

Beyond the immediate tactical gains, our endorsement of Prop 50 aligns us with the broader labor movement in California. Unions across the state recognize the critical importance of fair representation in protecting workers' rights and advancing a pro-labor agenda. When the working class stands united, we are a formidable force. Our vote for Prop 50 is a vote of solidarity with our labor comrades, strengthening our collective power against the forces of reaction and fascism. By standing with labor, we reinforce the understanding that the fight for fair elections is inseparable from the fight for economic justice and a socialist future.

We cannot cede this part of the fight against fascism and leave the center to lead it alone—they will fail. Only socialism can beat fascism. We are not just voting on maps; we are voting to protect our fellow workers, our immigrant neighbors, and our climate from a right-wing agenda that seeks to dismantle our unions, gut our social safety net, and accelerate climate collapse.

Vote yes on Prop 50, not as an act of faith in the establishment, but as an act of tactical resistance. And then, let's get back to the real work of building power from the ground up, for a political system that truly serves the many, not just the few.

Fight back California! Onward and not sideways!