In opposing Prop. 50, editorial board ignores Trump threat to democracy

Re “No on 50: It’s not the high road” (Oct. 17): The U-T editorial stance is just plain wrong. This proposition is about saving democracy for our country. Now is not the time, as the headline suggests, to take “the high road.” We are in a fight for our 250-year-old form of government. If Proposition 50 fails, the autocracy that we now find ourselves living under will only get worse.

Wake up, editorial board, this loss of democracy is real. Vote “yes on 50” if you believe in democracy.

— Dave Willner, Mount Helix

The editorial states, “Copying Trump’s bullying to gain power is unhealthy for a democracy because it normalizes such behavior even more.” I have news for you: These are not normal times — at least we can hope they are not. Doing nothing while someone steamrolls over you and the Constitution is unacceptable. Take action — vote yes on 50.

— Marti Craig Wilmot, Lakeside

In 2008, California voters created the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to ensure voting was fair and independent of politics. Redistricting is typically done after the national census every 10 years, but the legislatures in Texas and Missouri have redrawn their districts now at the request of Donald Trump to favor the Republican Party in the House of Representatives.

In response, our governor is asking us to counterbalance this attempt to rig the midterm elections in 2026. Proposition 50 is temporary and will expire when new maps are drawn after the 2030 U.S. Census. California should have as much say in the next House of Representatives as Texas and Missouri.

We must combat this blatant attempt to dilute our votes and to perpetuate an administration that is causing harm to so many Americans. Help preserve democracy: Vote yes on Proposition 50.

— Laura Berend, La Mesa