Shawn Griffiths
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930), one of California’s largest unions, announced Wednesday that it will mobilize a large-scale voter outreach campaign to support Proposition 50, the legislative-drawn congressional map that will go before state voters on November 4.
UDW, which represents over 220,000 home care and family childcare providers, says the measure is critical to holding members of Congress accountable for cutting Medicaid and nutrition assistance funding while approving what the group calls “huge tax giveaways to billionaires.”
The California Legislature approved a new congressional map at the behest of Governor Gavin Newsom, who promised to “fight fire with fire” and nullify a Texas mid-decade gerrymander by side-stepping California’s independent redistricting commission. The whole thing has escalated into a nationwide redistricting fight mere months before the midterms.
UDW plans to contact more than 100,000 voters through door-knocking, text messaging, social media, ads, and phone calls in the lead-up to Election Day.
“Our hardworking members overwhelmingly support Prop 50 and are coming out en masse to kick out those in Congress who slashed Medicaid and nutrition assistance to pay for a massive tax giveaway to billionaires,” said union Executive Director Doug Moore.
Together, we’re going to stand up for both those who give care and those who receive it.”
The endorsement comes not long after former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called Prop 50 “insane” while speaking at a University of Southern California event. He argued that copying the gerrymandering tactics used in Texas does nothing to strengthen democratic norms.
“This is about taking power away from the people,” he said.
If Prop. 50 is approved by voters in November, the Democratic Party’s representation could increase to 92% of California's congressional delegation until after the independent redistricting commission redraws the map again in 2031. Though pitched as solely a response to Texas redistricting, it will go into effect even if Texas’ new map is struck down in court.