SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — California voters passed Proposition 50 on Tuesday to re-draw the state’s congressional district maps. Modoc, a conservative county tucked in the state’s rural northeast corner, will be in the same congressional district as liberal Marin.
California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass expressed disappointment Wednesday over the passage of Prop 50, saying the measure will dilute the voices of California’s farmers, ranchers, and other residents of rural communities.
Modoc is one of several red counties that will be lumped into the same district as heavily populated blue counties.
Douglass wrote, “Prop. 50 will weaken representation across the state by favoring gerrymandering and reshaping districts in ways that simply don’t make sense. For example, Modoc and Marin don’t belong in the same district, nor do San Jose and Coalinga. When communities hundreds of miles apart and with vastly different needs are grouped together, the voices of many Californians risk being left out.”
In Modoc County, 77.5 percent of voters cast “no” votes on Prop 50, and just 22.5 percent voted “yes.” Down in Marin County, 80.6 percent of voters voted “yes” on Prop 50.
In Santa Clara County, 71 percent of voters were in favor of Prop 50. Fresno County voters were evenly split, with 50.1 percent voting “yes.”
A map of November 4 special election results shows all counties along the coast voted in favor of the redistricting measure. Many inland counties, as well as California’s far northern regions, voted against Prop 50.
Proposition 50 lays the groundwork for Democrats to gain five additional House seats. Democrats are now slated to control 48 of California’s 52 congressional seats.
Douglass wrote, “While we respect the will of the voters, the passage of Prop. 50 represents another setback for Californians, particularly those in rural areas. Fair and independent redistricting is essential to ensuring that lawmakers understand issues central to agriculture and rural communities, such as land use, water access, food production and rural infrastructure.”
