Californians have approved Proposition 50, the legislative constitutional amendment titled “Authorized Temporary Changes to Congressional District Maps in Response to Texas’ Partisan Redistricting.” Prop 50 gives a greenlight to the state legislature to create new congressional maps to be used through 2030 and direct the Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume enacting the maps in 2031. With the decision left to California voters on allowing the state government to redraw congressional lines, how are they feeling about the state government?

In 2010, California voters passed Proposition 20, which gave the independent citizens’ redistricting commission, rather than the state legislature and governor, the task of making congressional redistricting decisions—something that most likely voters today (72%) say has turned out to be mostly a good thing. Meanwhile, 56% of California likely voters supported Proposition 50, according to the October Statewide Survey conducted ahead of the November 4 special election.

Despite majority support for Prop 50, a majority of adults and likely voters say they trust the state government in Sacramento only some of the time. Majorities of Californians have expressed this low level of trust since early 2023.

Partisans today contrast starkly on this issue, with most Democrats saying they can trust state government most of the time or always, and most Republicans and independents saying only some or none of the time. Californians who are white, have incomes below $100,000, do not have a college education, or reside in the Central Valley are among the most likely to express distrust.

Similarly, many Californians still question whether the state government is run by a few big interests looking out for themselves, or for the benefit of all the people. Today, solid majorities of adults and likely voters say a few big interests while about one in three say for the benefit of all. However, Californians’ views on this issue have shifted: the share of adults saying a few big interests has declined slightly since last September (71% to 65% today).

Partisans are divided: most Republicans and independents see the government as run by a few big interests compared to a slim majority of Democrats who see it as run for the benefit of all. Six in ten or more across demographic and regional groups say a few big interests. This share is highest among Californians who are white, younger, have incomes under $100,000, do not have a college education, or are residing in the Central Valley or Inland Empire.

The November 4 election has cost California $251 million, and with this in mind, nearly all adults in the state say the state government wastes a lot (47%) or some (44%) of the money we pay in taxes. And although most Californians continue to question the trustworthiness of the state government in Sacramento, worry it is not being run in the interest of the people, and are concerned about waste, it is notable that Proposition 50 had majority support in the days leading up to the special election. With the proposition now passing by a strong majority, PPIC will continue to measure Californians’ trust in the state government.