In rural California, heated opposition over Proposition 50, a statewide ballot measure that would redraw California’s congressional map. 

Opponents say it would strip political power from rural communities. Supporters argue it’s about making representation more fair.

At the Butte County Farm Bureau in Chico, local farmers and elected officials gathered to voice their strong opposition to Proposition 50.

U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, who would likely lose his seat if the measure passes, called the measure a “power grab” by Sacramento politicians.

He said it would take away congressional seats from rural areas and merge farming regions like Butte County with urban ones in the San Francisco Bay Area.

They warned this would weaken agriculture’s voice in Washington and devastate rural representation.

But supporters of Proposition 50 say the plan is about equality, after Texas Republicans, at the urging of President Trump, decided to redraw their districts to create more GOP congressional seat.

The measure’s critics counter that Prop 50 overturns that independent process and replaces it with one controlled by politicians, with Tuesday's election costing state taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.