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DATE: |
September 30, 2025 |
16 |
SUBJECT
Title
CONFIRMING STATE OF CALIFORNIA REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROPOSITION 50 (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On August 21, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation approving the placement of a redistricting measure (Proposition 50) on the ballot for November 4, 2025. The purpose of this special election ballot measure is to use alternate Congressional electoral district maps for elections held from 2026 through 2030. During this period, the maps approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission on December 27, 2021, would be replaced with new Congressional electoral districts established through the enactment of Assembly Bill 604.
Although Senate Bill 280, the legislation authorizing this special election, states the Legislature’s intent to provide funding to counties to cover the costs of the special redistricting election, the County of San Diego has not received any confirmation that it will be fully reimbursed by the State for the special election costs. According to the California Department of Finance, the cost of this special election is estimated to total $251,306,359. The County of San Diego’s share of this cost is expected to total approximately $20.5 million. It remains unclear whether or not the County will be fully reimbursed for its costs if this measure is not approved by California voters, or at all.
In light of the County’s budget challenges, it is critical that the State fully reimburse the County for all costs associated with the special redistricting election and ensure that reimbursement decisions are not based on the passage of Proposition 50. To assure voters that this election will be conducted through a free and fair process, no entity should attempt to “put their thumb on the scale” or otherwise steer the outcome of this special election. Full reimbursement from the State, regardless of the outcome of this measure, would ensure that the County is not forced to identify or redirect any of our limited financial resources planned to be used for important programs and projects that benefit County residents.
I am, therefore, recommending that the County send a letter to Governor Newsom asking him to confirm that the State of California will fully reimburse the County of San Diego for all costs associated with the November 4, 2025, redistricting special election, regardless of the outcome of Proposition 50.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting confirmation that the State of California will fully reimburse the County of San Diego for all costs associated with the November 4, 2025, redistricting special election, regardless of the outcome of Proposition 50.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego recently identified up to $300 million in new annual costs to the County related to H.R. 1. Reductions in the County’s financial assets could threaten our ability to continue to provide the core services and programs and deliver the projects needed to serve County residents. By confirming that the State of California will fully reimburse the County for an estimated $20.5 million in costs resulting from special redistricting election - regardless of the outcome of Proposition 50 - the County can maintain our ability to protect our families, seniors, veterans and others, particularly when we need to respond to emergencies and unanticipated fiscal challenges.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Confirming that the State of California will cover all of the costs incurred by the County of San Diego in conducting a special redistricting election will help us protect the County’s fiscal sustainability and support a public sector capable of withstanding economic and environmental disruptions.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. If approved, the recommended action will result in no change in General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
If the County of San Diego is successful in recouping all of the costs associated with the special redistricting election, we can maintain a more stable and predictable fiscal environment, which benefits the region’s business community. By avoiding any transfer in approved Fiscal Year 2025-26 funding to cover the costs of the special election, the County can protect itself against additional budgetary challenges that could result in a need to backfill any unanticipated expenses.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
On August 21, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation approving the placement of a redistricting measure (Proposition 50) on the ballot for November 4, 2025. The purpose of this special election ballot measure is to use alternate Congressional electoral district maps for elections held from 2026 through 2030. During this period, the maps approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission on December 27, 2021, would be replaced with new Congressional electoral maps established through the enactment of Assembly Bill 604.
On November 4, 2008, California voters approved Proposition 11, a measure that removed the authority to draw electoral boundaries for California State Assembly and State Senate districts from the State Legislature and transferred that responsibility to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. On November 2, 2010, California voters also transferred the role of drawing the boundaries of California’s Congressional districts to the commission by approving Proposition 20. This fourteen-member independent citizen commission is responsible for drawing the boundaries for electoral districts following each decennial census and approved the current electoral district maps on December 27, 2021.
In August, Governor Newsom announced his interest in temporarily setting aside the maps developed by the commission and using the new Congressional districts included in Assembly Bill 604. Following the Governor’s announcement, the State Legislature approved a legislative package which included the following bills:
• Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 - allows Californians to adopt a new Congressional district map drawn by members of the State Legislature
• Senate Bill 280 - establishes timelines and procedures to conduct a statewide special election for Proposition 50, and authorizes funding for the November 4, 2025, special election
• Assembly Bill 604 - establishes the Congressional district maps that would be used if a majority of California voters vote in favor of Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8
Although Senate Bill 280, the legislation authorizing this special election, states the Legislature’s intent to provide funding to counties to cover the costs of the special redistricting election, the County of San Diego has not received any confirmation that it will be reimbursed by the State for the special election costs. According to the California Department of Finance, the cost of this special election is estimated to total $251,306,359. The County of San Diego’s share of this cost is expected to total approximately $20.5 million. It remains unclear whether or not the County will be fully reimbursed for its costs if this measure is not approved by California voters, or at all.
In light of the County’s budget challenges, it is critical that the State fully reimburse the County for all costs associated with the special redistricting election and ensure that reimbursement decisions are not based on the passage of Proposition 50. To assure voters that this election will be conducted through a free and fair process, no entity should attempt to “put their thumb on the scale” or otherwise steer the outcome of this special election. Full reimbursement from the State, regardless of the outcome of this measure, would ensure that the County is not forced to identify or redirect any of our limited financial resources planned to be used for important programs and projects that benefit County residents.
I am, therefore, recommending that the County send a letter to Governor Newsom asking him to confirm that the State of California will fully reimburse the County of San Diego for all costs associated with the November 4, 2025, redistricting special election, regardless of the outcome of Proposition 50.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
This item supports the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan (Economy) by aligning the County’s available resources with services to maintain fiscal stability and ensure long-term solvency and (Resiliency) by ensuring the capability to respond to and recover by providing for the immediate needs of individuals, families and the region. The recommended action will protect the fiscal resources necessary to foster safe, healthy and thriving communities.
Respectfully submitted,
Joel Anderson
Supervisor, Second District
ATTACHMENT(S)
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