The 95-degree weather on Sept. 17 did not deter student government and community volunteers from encouraging students to register to vote. To achieve this, the event took place in the quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when student life was bustling.
Free pizza was offered to those showing proof of registration, an incentive that most students would not deny. Las Positas Student Government collaborated with Financial Aid, Veterans First Program, the library and Indivisible Tri-Valley to give out pocket Constitutions, Proposition 50 pamphlets and assistance with registration.
Naomi Mangini, student body president, was under one of the canopies, offering cold lemonade and discussing the pros and cons of Proposition 50 with students.
The drive seemed successful considering all of the pizza was finished by 12:30, almost two hours before the end of the drive.
Prop 50 will be on the Nov. 5 ballot this year If passed, it will temporarily change who draws California’s congressional district maps, allowing the state legislature to draw the maps from 2026 to 2030. If the majority votes no, the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission would continue drawing the maps.
The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is a nonpartisan, citizen-led body tasked with drawing electoral district maps working to reduce political bias.
The most notable supporters of this measure are former President Barack Obama, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party of California.
Proposition 50 is in response to gerrymandering in Texas, according to Gov. Newsom. Which is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries favoring the majority party in the state legislature. Since California is a “blue” state, democrats would have an advantage in elections if Proposition 50 passes.
Prominent opponents of the measure are former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the Republican Party of California. The main argument against it is it undermines California’s independent redistricting process, which voters created to stop gerrymandering.
Supporters say the temporary measure can protect California’s representation in Congress. According to CalMatters, if the measure passes, Trump could face many roadblocks from Democratic House Representatives and possibly face impeachment.
The information given by the student government about Prop 50 had no bias favoring one side over the other. “We want students to be informed about Prop 50, which is why we are passing out bipartisan voter guides so they can make their own decision in November,” said Mangini.
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Top photo: A volunteer assisting a woman to register to vote. (Photo by Edmond Dantes/Pexels)
Sabrina Hossain is the Opinions Editor for The Express. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @WritersBlock678.
