Volunteer Action Guide
Table of Contents
- Getting Started
- What Is The Election Rigging Response Act
- What the Election Rigging Response Act Does
- Campaign Goals
- Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
- Community Connectors / Turn Out Your People
- Calls Team
- Event Host
- Social Media Team
- Text Team
- Community Norms and Rules
- Background & FAQ
- Important Contacts
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Getting Started
Welcome!
We are thrilled to have you join us! Every hour you dedicate brings us closer to stopping Trump from rigging the 2026 election. The special election will be held on November 4, 2025 and we need your help to pass Prop 50. This guide will help you to get started with our campaign and talking to voters ASAP.
What Is The Election Rigging Response Act
Emergency for Democracy. This isn’t politics as usual. Republican leaders in Texas, and elsewhere, are attempting an unprecedented power grab to tilt the 2026 elections before a single vote is cast. Californians can’t sit it out.
California’s Duty. We won’t unilaterally disarm. The Election Rigging Response Act (ERRA) is a legal, people-powered response that draws fair maps representing California’s diverse communities and protects our voice against partisan gerrymandering in other states.
What the Election Rigging Response Act Does
● Levels the playing field for 2026. No unfair advantage for rigged maps elsewhere.
● Reaffirms independent redistricting as California’s default and calls on all states to adopt fair, impartial maps.
● Puts voters in charge: emergency maps require voter approval.
● Triggered, not automatic: emergency maps take effect only if the partisan power grab in Texas proceeds.
● Temporary by design: expires in 2030 and returns authority to the Citizens Redistricting Commission after the next census.
Campaign Goals
Our imperative is to Pass Prop 50 with a clear public mandate for fair maps. In order to achieve that imperative, we’ve established the following goals for our voter outreach efforts.
1. Build a strong volunteer infrastructure in California and nationwide.
2. Educate voters in California on Prop 50.
3. Identify supporters, and persuade voters, in California.
4. Educate voters on the voting process.
5. Turn out voters and win in November.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
We have several ways for volunteers to contribute. Please review the options below and click the links to access next steps to get started. We highly encourage you to participate in multiple roles! If you haven’t already done so, please complete our volunteer commitment form so our team can reach out and provide further support.
https://gavinnewsom.win/ballot
Community Connector / Organize Your People
Manage outreach to a circle of people you already know, stay informed, and take simple actions each week—no stranger outreach, just friends, family, coworkers, neighbors.
1-2 Hours Per Week
Reach out to people you know via phone call, text, in person, and social media. Provide feedback on your outreach.
Caller
Talk to voters and supporters over the phone, using our Scale to Win Dialer platform.
Have phone conversations with voters and maintain accurate data entry.
1-2 Hours Per Week
Event Host
Host events and gatherings in your community, and lead training, in support of recruiting new volunteers and reaching more voters.
3-4 Hours Per Week
Host events in your community, conduct outreach locally to recruit new volunteers, and lead training sessions to support volunteers near you.
Social Media Outreach {#social-media-outreach}
Share campaign messages on social media and engage with supporters online.
2-3 Hours Per Week
Create content, share campaign posts, and monitor engagement in social media comments to recruit new volunteers.
Texter
Have text message conversations with voters and supporters, using our Scale to Win Text platform.
1-2 Hours Per Week
Respond to voter messages, and maintain accurate data entry.
Community Connectors / Turn Out Your People
Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours Per Week
As a Community Connector, you’ll be a part of a team of volunteers who will mobilize their friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. The emphasis is on people you know! You have an important level of influence and reach that our other forms of communication can’t match, and we’ll work with you to strategize who, in your community, is best to engage, persuade, and mobilize in support of Prop 50.
Here’s what you can expect:
● You’ll receive training on how to strategize on WHO we should talk to in our communities and networks, WHEN, and WHY. Think about the people who make up your community: friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, clubs, etc.
● You’ll use our mobile campaign app, Reach, to easily identify and bookmark contacts in your network to plan your outreach throughout the campaign.
● You’ll conduct outreach to your contacts about the election in November and share feedback with the campaign to help inform our messaging and our progress on voter outreach.
● You’ll receive relevant updates, key information, messaging, social media content, and have the opportunity to connect with other Community Connectors, all from the app.
Sign up for an upcoming training session to get started talking to your community, or view the Reach App Guide to get started on your own today!
→ FIND A TURN OUT YOUR PEOPLE TRAINING ←
→ VIEW THE REACH QUICK START GUIDE ←
Calls Team
Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours Per Week
As a Call Team Member, you’ll join a team of volunteers reaching voters directly through meaningful conversations over the phone. Calling gives us a chance to connect person-to-person, answer questions, listen to concerns, and mobilize support for Prop 50. Every call you make helps strengthen our movement and ensure voters have the information they need before Election Day.
Here’s what you can expect:
● You’ll receive training on how to introduce yourself, guide a conversation, handle common questions, and effectively move voters to action. We’ll provide scripts, talking points, and ongoing support.
● You’ll use our campaign’s dialer software to make calls, no need to use your personal phone. The platform manages numbers, call lists, and scripts, making it simple to jump right in.
● You’ll have one-on-one conversations with voters about the election, provide resources to help them vote, and encourage them to support Prop 50 in November.
● You’ll share what you hear from voters back to the campaign, helping us sharpen our message and track progress on voter outreach.
● You’ll get regular updates, key information, and opportunities to connect with other Call Team members who are building momentum together.
Please sign up for an upcoming virtual phone bank to get started!
→ FIND A VIRTUAL PHONE BANK ←
Event Host
Time Commitment: 3-4 Hours Per Week
As an Event Host, you’ll serve as an anchor for campaign activity in your community: host events, train neighbors, recruit volunteers, and drive messaging and voter activity. This is a critical role for the success of our campaign.
Here’s what you can expect:
● You’ll host at least two (2) events for the duration of our 2.5 month campaign. These can be both in person and virtual.
● You’ll take the lead on engaging and recruiting prospective volunteers in your community. We’ll provide you with tools and resources to do so.
● You’ll provide important feedback on what you’re hearing from voters and volunteers in your community to inform the campaign’s strategy.
● You’ll meet with a campaign organizer once per week, virtually, to check in on how organizing is going in your community.
At this time, we have a high priority to make calls to voters in California. We’re asking event hosts to host phone banks in their communities. We make it simple and fun! Please refer to our phone bank host guide below to get started.
→ HOST A PHONE BANK ←
→ HOST AN “ORGANIZE YOUR PEOPLE” HOUSE PARTY←
Social Media Team
Time Commitment: 2-3 Hours Per Week
As a part of our Social Media Team, create engaging content for your own social media channels, get accurate info in front of voters online, identify supporters to plug them into our volunteer opportunities, and help amplify campaign content and messaging.
Here’s what you can expect:
● You’ll comment thoughtfully on relevant redistricting posts you see online, in support of Prop 50 (local news, community groups).
● You’ll help identify supporters on campaign and Gavin Newsom social media accounts, within comments, and invite them to volunteer.
● You’ll create authentic content to share on your channels, to help amplify our messaging across social media platforms and reach more people.
● You’ll collaborate with other volunteers, and access content resources, in our community Discord server.
To get started with the Social Media Team, join our Team Newsom Discord server today.
→ JOIN DISCORD ←
Text Team
Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours Per Week
As a Text Team Member, you’ll join a group of dedicated volunteers who connect directly with voters through personal and impactful conversations by text. Texting allows us to reach people where they are, break through the noise, and answer real questions in real time. Every conversation you have can help engage, persuade, and mobilize voters in support of Prop 50.
Here’s what you can expect:
● We’ll prepare you with scripts, best practices, and live support.
● You’ll use our campaign’s texting platform to send messages to voters across California. Everything is set up for you and there’s no need to use your personal phone number.
● You’ll engage voters in conversations about the election, answer their questions, and share critical information to help them make their voices heard in November.
● You’ll share what you’re hearing from voters with the campaign, helping us fine-tune our outreach and respond quickly to misinformation or concerns.
● You’ll get regular updates, key information, messaging guidance, and the chance to connect with other Text Team members who are also working to make a difference.
Please sign up for an upcoming training session to get started, or view our on-demand training to get started on your own today!
→ FIND A TEXT TEAM TRAINING ←
→ START THE ON-DEMAND TRAINING ←
Community Norms and Rules
● Respectful Communication: Treat every member with respect, regardless of differing opinions or backgrounds. Respectful communication involves expressing oneself and listening to others in a way that shows consideration for the feelings, opinions, and perspectives of others, while avoiding language that is rude, aggressive, or judgmental. Personal attacks, discrimination, or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
● Be Mindful of Language: Use language that is inclusive, professional, and suitable for all members, regardless of age or background. Offensive language, slang that may be misunderstood or alienating, and profanity is prohibited.
● Confidentiality and Privacy: Respect the confidentiality of sensitive information shared during our volunteer activities. Do not post your personal information, nor that of other community members or contacts from our campaigns. This includes, but not limited to: email addresses, phone numbers, home or business addresses
● Unrelated Content: Sharing unrelated content or promoting personal projects or businesses without prior approval from Staff is prohibited. This includes recruiting for other organizations, campaigns, and volunteer activities.
● Follow Campaign Guidelines: Adhere to the guidelines and directives provided by campaign Staff and Moderators.
● Report Concerns: If you encounter behavior that violates these rules, or have any general concern, report it promptly. Do not engage in retaliatory or confrontational behavior.
Background & FAQ
YES ON PROP 50 - BILINGUAL ENG/SPN - BACKGROUND AND FAQS - 8/31/25
1. There’s an election coming up? When? ¿Hay elecciones? ¿Cuándo?
Yes! There’s a special election happening on Tuesday, November 4th. Just like the last couple of elections we’ve had in California, everyone will get a mail ballot sent to their home in early October so you can conveniently vote by mail or drop off your ballot at a drop site.
¡Sí! Hay elecciones el martes, 4 de noviembre. Como en pasadas elecciones, todos los votantes en California recibirán una boleta por correo a principios de octubre. Así se nos hace conveniente a todos votar por correo ó depositar nuestra boleta en un buzón electoral.
2. What’s this election all about? ¿Sobre qué son estas elecciones?
Donald Trump and Texas Republicans are making an unprecedented power grab to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election before voting even begins. Other Republican states are following suit. They want to grab enough seats to control Congress regardless of how the people vote. This isn’t politics as usual. It’s an emergency for our democracy. That’s why Governor Newsom and the State Legislature put Proposition 50 on the ballot, to counter Texas’ moves and fight back.
Las movidas hechas por Donald Trump y los republicanos en Texas para robar escaños congresionales han puesto en riesgo la integridad de las elecciones del 2026 antes de que siquiera empiece la votación. Otros estados bajo el control de los republicanos también están actuando en contra de nuestra democracia. Quieren manipular los escaños para asegurarse de que van a controlar el Congreso sin que importe cómo vota el pueblo. Estas movidas no son política normal. Tenemos una gran emergencia para nuestra democracia.
Por eso, el gobernador Newsom y nuestra legislatura estatal decidieron avanzar la Proposición 50.
We’ve already seen how Trump has illegally imposed tariffs, causing prices to go up and hurting California families. He’s denied disaster assistance to fire victims and ordered mass deportations. The 2026 election for Congress is our only chance to provide an essential check and balance on Trump’s dangerous agenda. If Californians don’t act now, Donald Trump will seize total power for two more years – our families, our communities and our democracy can’t afford that.
Ya hemos visto cómo Trump impone tarifas ilegales que aumentan precios y lastiman a nuestras familias. Él denegó la ayuda que necesitan las víctimas de los fuegos y ordenó las deportaciones masivas. Las elecciones federales del 2026 son nuestra única oportunidad para parar la agenda peligrosa de Trump. California tiene que combatir este azote de Trump. Nuestras familias, nuestras comunidades y nuestra democracia no pueden aguantar estos ataques por dos años más de poder total.
3. How would this measure work? ¿Cómo funciona esta medida?
These are the key parts of the plan that will be on the ballot for California voters to vote on:
● Because Texas and possibly other Republican-held states are changing their district boundaries to elect more Republicans to Congress in next year’s 2026 elections, California will also temporarily change their boundaries to make it easier to elect more Democrats in next year’s elections. This will make the situation more fair on a national level and hopefully prevent Republicans from rigging the whole system to keep unlimited power for Trump for two more years.
● The measure keeps California’s commitment to national redistricting reform. We would still have the California’s Citizen Redistricting Commission and they would go right back to regular redistricting after the 2030 census. This measure specifically declares it is California state policy to support the use of fair, nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide.
● Any California district map changes are only triggered by Republican actions in other states. If Texas and other Republican-held states had kept their own current maps, then we would have kept California’s current commission-drawn maps and nothing would change here.
Prop 50 tiene 3 partes clave:
● Porque Texas y posiblemente otros estados republicanos están cambiando las líneas de sus distritos congresionales para elegir más republicanos, California cambiará temporeramente sus líneas a favor de los demócratas contrarrestando los esfuerzos ladrones de MAGA y Trump.
● Esta medida mantiene el mandato de California a la reforma justa y no partidista para la redistribución de distritos congresionales a través de toda la nación. Prop 50 reafirma el compromiso de CA para usar nuestro California Citizen Redistricting Commission y su obra habitual de redistribución después del censo de 2030.
● Los cambios de Prop 50 al mapa congresional de California solo son vigentes una vez otros estados republicanos actúen. Si los mapas no cambian en TX y otros estados, el mapa congresional actual hecho por nuestra comisión independiente es válido y nada cambia.
4. This sounds kind of undemocratic to me. Isn’t this a slippery slope to having gerrymandered districts in California like the ones in Republican-controlled states?
Trump and Republicans don’t fight fair. Democrats need to recognize this and stop playing with one hand tied behind our backs. MAGA is trying to steal congressional seats in Texas and other GOP states to keep their majorities in Congress. We can’t afford to let that happen and there’s no way to stop it without California doing our part. It’s time to fight fire with fire. This is a fair and proportional response to what MAGA Republicans are doing nationwide.
Los demócratas tenemos que reconocer que Trump, MAGA, y los republicanos están actuando como ladrones, robándose escaños en el Congreso en Texas y otros estados para asegurar su mayoría en el Congreso. No se lo podemos permitir y no hay forma de impedirlo sin que California haga su parte. Prop 50 es una respuesta justa y proporcional a las acciones de MAGA a través del país.
Also, this move is temporary. Even though we have to do this right now to counter the national Trump agenda, this measure still keeps California committed to fair, non-partisan national redistricting reform. That’s why nobody is forcing us to do this here in California. Every registered voter in California will get to vote to decide if we should make this temporary change or not. And if Proposition 50 passes, we will go right back to having our California Citizen Redistricting Commission do their regular job redistricting after the 2030 census as usual.
Además, esta medida es temporera. Aunque en este momento tengamos que contrarrestar la agenda nacional de Trump, California mantiene el compromiso con la reforma justa y no partidista para la redistribución de distritos congresionales a través de toda la nación. Si se aprueba Prop 50, CA volverá a usar nuestra California Citizen Redistricting Commission y su obra habitual de redistribución después del censo de 2030.
5. Who’s supporting this ballot measure? ¿Quién está apoyando esta medida?
This measure is being put forward by California Governor Gavin Newsom and has strong Democratic and progressive support including:
● President Barack Obama;
● CA Democratic Congressmembers including current House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries & former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi;
● CA Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff;
● Labor unions including the CA Federation of Labor, the CA Teachers Association and the SEIU CA State Council;
● Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
Esta medida fue propuesta por el gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom y tiene el apoyo de democratas y otros progresistas como:
● Presidente Barack Obama
● Senadores Alex Padilla y Adam Schiff
● Entera delegación demócrata del Congreso de CA, líder Hakeem Jeffries y la ex Presidenta de la Cámara de Representantes, Nancy Pelosi
● Sindicatos laborales incluyendo el CA Federation of Labor, la CA Teachers Association y el SEIU CA State Council.
● Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
6. Who’s against this ballot measure? ¿Quién está en contra de esta medida?
Some of the biggest opponents of this measure are:
● Charles Munger – rightwing billionaire who uses his private organization to block abortion access and target LGBTQ youth including promoting “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ youth and opposing same-sex marriage.
● Carl DeMaio – CA Assemblymember who is one of Trump’s most vocal allies in California, supporting mass immigration round-ups, unlawful tariffs, and withholding CA emergency response money.
● Thomas Hiltachk & his law firm – go-to lawyers for Trumps’s legal & election work in CA who have worked to bust unions and prevent Trump from having to disclose his tax returns as required by CA law.
Algunos de los adversarios de esta medida son:
● Charles Munger – billonario derechista quién usa sus entidades para atacar a nuestra juventud LGBTQ+ promoviendo terapias charlatanas, para oponer el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo y para impedir el acceso legal al aborto
● Carl DeMaio – asambleísta quién es uno de los portavoces de Trump en CA y defiende las deportaciones masivas, las tarifas ilegales y el impedir la ayuda de emergencia para los desastres en CA
● Thomas Hiltachk y su bufete legal – los abogados de Trump quienes han obrado en contra de los sindicatos y los requisitos legales de divulgación de las planillas de impuestos para candidatos presidenciales en CA.
7. I don’t like the way the maps were drawn for this measure, so why would I vote for it? ¿Qué razón tengo para votar por ella?
This isn’t politics as usual. It’s an emergency for our democracy. Each of us may have our own differing personal opinions about the details of how the maps were drawn or anything else about this measure, but the bottom line is that we are facing a national crisis. Here in California we need to do our part to stop Trump from getting two more years of unlimited power. Now is the time to set aside differences on the details and work together to save our democracy.
Tenemos una emergencia en nuestra democracia. Esto no es política como de costumbre. Podemos poseer opiniones personales sobre los detalles de cómo se trazaron los mapas o cualquier otro aspecto de esta medida, pero la conclusión sigue siendo la misma, estamos enfrentando a una crisis nacional. Aquí, en California, debemos hacer todo lo que nos corresponde para impedir que Trump consiga dos años más de poder ilimitado. Este es el momento de dejar atrás las diferencias sobre los detalles y trabajar juntos para salvar nuestra democracia.
8. How and when can I vote in this Special Election? ¿Cómo y cuándo puedo votar en estas elecciones?
Here are the key election dates:
● The last day to register to vote for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election is October 20, 2025. People can do same day registration but their ballot will not be counted until their voter registration form has been validated.
● All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election.
● Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by October 6, 2025.
● Ballot drop-off locations open on October 7, 2025.
● Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
● Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties begining on October 25, 2025.
● Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2025.
Fechas clave para las elecciones del martes, 4 de noviembre:
● Último día para inscribirse para votar: lunes, 20 de octubre de 2025. CA permite inscripciones hasta el mismo día de las elecciones, pero su voto no contará hasta después de que su inscripción sea validada.
● Todo votante inscrito en CA recibirá una boleta por correo para las elecciones del martes, 4 de noviembre, 2025.
● La oficina electoral de su condado enviará las boletas el 6 de octubre.
● Los buzones electorales estarán disponibles desde el martes, 7 de octubre.
● Las boletas pueden ser entregadas por correo, en un buzón electoral o en las oficinas electorales de su condado.
● Los centros de votación para votar en persona abren a más tardar el sábado, 25 de octubre.
● Si va a enviar su boleta por correo, lo puede hacer de donde quiera, siempre y cuando la boleta tenga matasellos del 4 de noviembre o antes y sea recibida a más tardar el 12 de noviembre.
Important Contacts
For any questions or support, please reach out to:
● Lead Organizer: Heather Hays ERRATour.Heather@gmail.com
Thank you again for your commitment to our campaign. Your efforts are invaluable, and we look forward to working with you to beat Trump!
Paid for by Yes on 50, The Election Rigging Response Act, Governor Newsom’s Ballot Measure Committee. Committee Top Funders: HMP for Prop 50, California Teachers Association, Newsom for California – Governor 2022.