The Proposition 50 campaign is being portrayed as a bitter, partisan brawl over whether California should gerrymander its congressional maps to help Democrats and hurt Republicans.

In truth, Proposition 50 has been an unexpectedly unifying and clarifying force.

Both sides of the measure are broadcasting the same two messages.

Or, to be more blunt, the Democrats supporting Proposition 50 and the Republicans opposing it are telling the same two lies.

One of those lies is about the past, and specifically about redistricting. The other lie is about the future, and specifically about democracy.

Let’s take the first lie first.

In their advertisements, Democrats and Republicans both portray themselves as longtime defenders of California’s independent redistricting commission.

In reality, D

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