UNION EDUCATORS WERE a crucial part of Election Night’s
nationwide “Blue Wave,” helping to propel Proposition 50 to a landslide victory and win a major battle for our public schools, communities and democracy.

The outcome was never really in question on Election Day, with major media outlets declaring Prop. 50 a winner almost immediately after polls closed. After the votes were tallied, it was 63.8% Yes, and 36.2% No — a landslide in California electoral politics, especially in an off-cycle special election.

CTA President Goldberg cast his ballot for Prop. 50, urging members and others to do the same, in a short video.

“What an inspiring victory for our union, our shared values and our movement. It was a fight CTA didn’t want or need, but a fight we had to help win — and that’s what we did,” says CTA President David Goldberg. “Our union was one of the first to sign on and say we’re going to take a stand here. Our impact in this election is not only being felt in your local community and our state, but across this nation.”

In the days leading up to the election, CTA members walked door to door up and down the state. Pictured are member educators from multiple locals canvassing in the Monterey area.

CTA members up and down the state walked precincts and phone banked to educate voters about the initiative and why it was necessary to defend fair elections and our democracy.

CTA Secretary-Treasurer Erika Jones, right, spoke with social media influencer and former educator Mrs. Frazzled in video post.

“The passage of Prop. 50 is union power! When we organize, we win,” CTA Secretary-Treasurer Erika Jones says. “We said yes to democracy and to a better future for our schools and communities!”

Prop. 50 was a response from California to the blatant power grab by Texas Republicans working with the Trump administration to gerrymander their
Congressional districts, rig their elections and vote to slash funding for public education, health care and more to provide tax cuts for billionaires. Earlier this year, Trump and Republicans in Congress voted to cut critical funding for special education, school meals for hungry children and health care for vulnerable families, following attempts by union educators to speak with them and urge them to protect our most vulnerable.

“Of the nine Republican representatives in California, several refused to even meet with local teachers in their offices. Some lied directly to our faces. They promised they wouldn’t vote for draconian cuts to our schools and our health care — only to go back to DC, side with Trump and vote to harm kids and families here in California,” Jones said during the campaign.

With Prop. 50’s approval, five of these congressional Republicans, Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao, Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa, face much steeper challenges to retaining their seats, which will hopefully make them more accountable to voters in 2026. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the victory was a loud statement from the Golden State.

“California made it clear: we’re taking back our voice and democracy,” Newsom said on Election Night. “Here’s to proof that when we act together, we win.”

Members made videos about why they were voting yes on Prop. 50; see them at bit.ly/CTA_Prop50videos.