AGENDA
ITEM
12 AGENDA
CALEXICO California ITEM
WHERE CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO MEET
12 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
APPROVED BY: Benjamin Martinez, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Diana Nuricumbo, Mayor
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution No. 2025- _ of the City Council of the City of Calexico Opposing California Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment.
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-_ _ of the City Council of the City of Calexico, California opposing Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment, and reaffirming support for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission as the independent and nonpartisan body for Congressional redistricting in California.
Background:
California voters previously approved Proposition 11 (2008) and Proposition 20 (2010) to establish the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC). This independent, nonpartisan body is tasked with drawing district lines for the State Legislature, Board of Equalization, and U.S. Congressional districts. The intent behind these reforms was to reduce political influence and increase public trust in the redistricting process.
Proposition 50 proposes a significant change by transferring Congressional redistricting authority from the CCRC back to the California State Legislature. This would reverse over a decade of voter-approved reforms intended to create a more transparent and impartial redistricting process.
Key concerns related to Proposition 50 include:
• Undermining the independence and transparency of the current redistricting process. • Setting a precedent for mid-decade redistricting, which has not been the norm in California. • A projected statewide special election cost exceeding $250 million, during a time of significant budgetary constraints.
• A lack of customary public review during the legislative process, including bypassing the standard 30-day public notice period for constitutional amendments.
Potential impacts on rural and border communities such as the Imperial Valley, which require fair and representative district boundaries that consider unique regional needs, including agriculture, international trade, and renewable energy development.
The proposed resolution emphasizes that this opposition is not rooted in partisanship, but in the principle of preserving independent representation for local communities.
Discussion and Analysis:
The City Council may consider the following alternatives:
• Adopt the Resolution opposing Proposition 50, as presented. • Amend the Resolution to reflect specific Council input prior to adoption. • Take no action, thereby not taking an official position on Proposition 50.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City of Calexico associated with adopting this resolution.
Coordinated With:
None
Attachments):
1. Resolution
2 ATTACHMENT NO. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING PROPOSITION 50, THE USE OF LEGISLATIVE
CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAP AMENDMENT, AND REAFFIRMING
SUPPORT FOR THE CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION AS THE
INDEPENDENT AND NONPARTISAN BODY FOR CONGRESSIONAL
REDISTRICTING IN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, California voters approved Proposition 11 (2008) and Proposition 20 (2010), establishing the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent, nonpartisan body tasked with drawing district lines for the State Legislature, Board of Equalization, and U.S. Congressional districts, with the intent of reducing political influence and strengthening public trust in the redistricting process; and WHEREAS, redistricting traditionally occurs once every ten years following the United States Census, with the most recent process completed in 2021 using 2020 Census data to ensure districts are based on accurate and current population figures; and WHEREAS, Proposition 50 seeks to transfer the authority for drawing Congressional district boundaries from the Citizens Redistricting Commission back to the California State Legislature, reversing reforms that voters approved through the initiative process; and WHEREAS, while some states allow legislatures to conduct mid-decade redistricting, California has historically avoided this practice, and its introduction here could set a new precedent that may alter the balance of how communities are represented; and WHEREAS, Proposition 50 will trigger a statewide special election on November 4, 2025, with projected costs estimated at over $250 million statewide and additional costs at the county level, expenditures that come at a time when the State of California is managing significant budget shortfalls and fiscal constraints; and WHEREAS, the legislative process advancing Proposition 50 was expedited and did not include the customary 30-day public review period for constitutional amendments, raising concerns among stakeholders about whether adequate time was provided for public input and analysis; and
WHEREAS, California has been recognized for expanding voting access and adopting independent redistricting reforms, and Proposition 50 would represent a departure from that model by returning authority to elected officials in the Legislature; and WHEREAS, the Imperial Valley, with its international border, extensive agricultural lands, significant mileage of roadways, renewable energy development, and binational economy, requires fair representation that reflects the unique needs of this region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Calexico opposes California Proposition 50, the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment, and reaffirms its support for the Citizens Redistricting Commission as the appropriate independent and nonpartisan body to draw Congressional district boundaries in California.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Calexico emphasizes this opposition is not about partisanship, but about protecting the voices of local communities. The Imperial Valley deserves representation that recognizes its border identity, its agricultural and renewable energy economy, and its role in binational trade and culture.
Decisions made in Sacramento must ensure they strengthen, not diminish the ability of rural and border regions to be fairly represented and heard in both state and national policymaking.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Calexico City Council held on the 15" day of October, 2025.
Diana Nuricumbo, Mayor
Attest:
Veronica Luna-Alvarado, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
Carlos Campos, City Attorney
State of California )
County of Imperial ) sS.
City of Calexico
I, Veronica Luna-Alvarado, City Clerk of the City of Calexico do hereby certify the above Resolution No. 2025- _ was approved at a regular City Council meeting held on the 15'' day of October 2025, by the following vote to-wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Veronica Luna-Alvarado, City Clerk