Dr. Shakari Byerly: CA Prop 50, Black Voters, & More

The fight for a truly representative democracy is constant, complex, and requires vigilance. When one state takes a step back from proportional representation through political gerrymandering, the balance of power on a national level can shift dramatically. As the political landscape grows more contested, understanding the shifts in voter sentiment and the mechanics of political boundaries becomes more critical than ever. That’s why I was excited to welcome a leading force in political polling, Dr. Shakari Byerly, back to The Legal Lens Podcast for the 4th time. Dr. Byerly is the Managing Partner at Evitarus, California’s only Black-owned and led polling firm. Evitarus, meaning “the clear path,” is on the front lines, helping advocates and political leaders understand the will of the people. In this conversation, Dr. Byerly unpacks the recent passage of California Proposition 50, revealing surprising data and outlining the urgent national battle to protect voting rights and proportional representation in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms.

For a deeper, more convenient dive into these critical topics, I strongly encourage you to listen to our full discussion on The Legal Lens Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Simplecast, and everywhere you get your podcasts for free. Alternatively, you can listen in the player below:

Dr. Shakari Byerly on Prop 50, Black Voters, and the Fight Against Gerrymandering

You won’t want to miss Dr. Byerly’s expert, data-driven insights into how California is pushing back against national attacks on democracy. Here are the timestamps and topics covered to help you navigate the episode more conveniently:

1:50 – Who is Dr. Shakari Byerly?
6:50 – What is Prop 50? The Significance of California’s Counterbalance
15:00 – The Black Vote: Near-Unanimous Support and the Black Male Turnout
21:00 – Motivation: The Trump Factor and Community Concern
30:05 – What Happens Next: The National Battle Against Gerrymandering

Who is Dr. Shakari Byerly?

Dr. Shakari Byerly is a highly respected political pollster, statistician, political scientist, and public policy analyst with more than 25 years of experience conducting research that informs political strategy across the country.

Before co-founding Evitarus and adding its polling practice in 2015, she achieved a major milestone, becoming the first woman to ascend to executive leadership at a previous national firm when she became their Senior Vice President.

Evitarus has led numerous consequential polls, including those for Measure H to support homelessness, which generates over $300 million annually, and the recently renewed Measure A for affordable housing and homelessness services in Los Angeles County.

They also led the “Listening to Black Californians” project, exploring Black Americans’ experiences with the healthcare system and eliminating racism and discrimination. Currently, they are conducting significant national research on reparations.

What is Prop 50? The Significance of California’s Counterbalance

Dr. Shakari Byerly provided some important background and context for listeners to under Prop 50 and why it’s so significant.

“California’s Proposition 50 was actually a measure that was put on the ballot by the state legislature and Governor Newsom to redraw California’s congressional districts. Congressional redistricting typically happens every 10 years right after the decennial census. California has one of the few independent citizens redistricting commissions that creates those lines,” explained Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Byerly elaborated on the origins of California Proposition 50 as a strategic play to offset redistricting in Texas, which has captured headlines.

“In response to the Texas legislature, Texas Governor Abbott’s, and the President’s concerted effort to redistrict Texas to limit Black representation and create more Republican districts, five to be exact, Governor Newsom and the state legislated by saying that if Texas redistricts to create five Republican districts and taking away DDemocratic representations, California will ask them to approve maps that will counterbalance that and create five potentially democratic districts,” said. Dr. Byerly.

To do so, Dr. Byerly explained that they moved Democratic voters into competitive Republican districts. The result?

“Voters actually approved by a wide margin to use the maps that were created by the state legislature temporarily until the commission meets again in 2031 and redraws a new map, so this levels the playing field somewhat as it relates to House seats,” said Dr. Byerly.

The campaign was “extremely short,” happening in maybe only “four months if that”, and initially polling low. Dr. Byerly stated that the key was the “grassroots nonprofit organizations who really activated to educate voters” on this otherwise “esoteric process.”

The Black Vote: Near-Unanimous Support and the Black Male Turnout

While Evitarus did not work on the campaign directly, they were commissioned by the non-profit organization Black Back to ensure this pivotal piece of legislation was passed, noting the research led by Executive Director Adrian Schreyer.

She said that what was discovered was that, while there was considerable support, there were also a number of undecided voters who might be inclined to vote yes but really needed to be convinced and educated on how the measure would impact their representation.

“We surveyed over 1,200 African American or Black voters, and we conducted our research early in September. This was shortly after the Governor signed the bill into law, placing Prop 50 on the ballot, so it was a very quick campaign – two months, if that. We found that quite a good number of Black voters were paying attention and were aware that Prop 50 was coming, and 69% said they were extremely motivated and ready for this measure,” said Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Byerly said that her research also gained some insights into voter behavior, saying that Black showed “near unanimous support for moving ahead” with Prop 50.

“Among Black voters, a full 91% of Black voters actually voted in favor of Prop 50, so that 70% benchmark in terms of the motivation to turn out, Prop 50 exceeded that. By the time mobilization and voter education got underway, it was ready to catch on like wildfire. People really engaged, and it was the highest vote margin of any other ethnic or cultural subgroups,” added Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Byerly’s data revealed a significant finding: support for Prop 50 was particularly high among Black men, with 91% of Black men voting in favor, compared to 88% of Black women. She also compared this to other groups, further highlighting the significance through juxtaposition:

Black Men (90%) outperformed white men (54%) and Latino men (63%)
Black Women (88%) outperformed Latinas (75%) and white women (59%)

Motivation: The Trump Factor and Community Concern

Dr. Byerly provided some keen insights into the engine of this mobilization of Black voters during this recent election, painting a rousing picture of resistance.

“Part of the strong visceral reaction that Black voters had is really connected to what we’re seeing at the Federal level with the current Administration. So, in 2024, nationally we saw depressed turnout among Black men and lower levels of support for Vice President Kamala Harris, the recent wave of Federal actions to remove references to Black history and the contributions of Black Americans, the elimination of the Department of Education, the firing of Federal workers, deploying the military to US cities run by Black mayors, who are largely popular. These have really catalyzed the galvanization of voters. All of this really hit a nerve with both black men and Black women, but particularly among black men,” purported Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Byerly said that this was especially evident in the abysmal approval ratings for the current Administration relative to Governor Gavin Newsom, putting a distinct dichotomy on display.

“Our polling found that 80% of Black voters disapprove of the job that President Trump is doing in running the country. Only 18% approve. When you look at Gavin Newsom’s approval ratings, it’s the near mirror image. 70% approve versus 28% who disapprove,” added Dr. Byerly.

Furthermore, Dr. Byerly’s studies have also revealed that Black voters expressed deep community concern about immigration enforcement.

“80% said that they were highly concerned about ICE raids and immigrant deportations. In fact, one in five Black Californians is first, second, or third-generation immigrants,” said Dr. Byerly.

What Happens Next: The National Battle Against Gerrymandering

The practical outcome is five more competitive districts in California. However, the battle for greater representation is a national one. Dr. Byerly pointed out that Texas is not alone, and while the dust may be settling on this battle, the war is far from over.

“In addition to Texas redistricting, remember that California’s five districts were intended to counterbalance Texas redistricting in the Republicans’ favor, we also have Missouri and North Carolina, which have also gerrymandered their districts to dilute the representation of Black voters. So, not only is it partisan redistricting, it has a direct impact on a protected class,” said Dr. Byerly.

Active litigation is challenging these moves, and states like Indiana and Louisiana are also looking to reduce Democratic and Black representation.

Dr. Byerly went on to say that the challenge for other states, however, is that they do not have California’s “regular process of direct democracy and citizen-driven initiatives,” making it harder to implement counter-measures quickly.

This is why staying engaged on the local and state levels is critical. Dr. Byerly emphasized the need for voters to stay engaged, write to elected officials, and know that their “participation makes a difference.”

Do You Want to Hear More Powerful Insights from Experts and Activists Like Dr. Shakari Byerly? Subscribe to and Download the Legal Lens Podcast Today!

Our essential discussion with Dr. Shakari Byerly provided a powerful, data-driven reminder that while the opposition is aggressive, grassroots organization and political education can serve as a potent two-pronged method of fighting back, even on complicated issues like redistricting. The key to future success is maintaining the momentum with the same successful grassroots advocacy and strategies used in the Prop 50 battle.

Stay informed, inspired, and empowered. Listen to this episode of The Legal Lens Podcast on Simplecast to hear Dr. Byerly’s full perspective, and subscribe to never miss a critical conversation!

Also, to learn about all things Legal Lens, follow me on Instagram @iamangelareddockwright.

For media inquiries, please reach out to josh@kwsmdigital.com.

This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.

Dr. Shakari Byerly on California Prop 50, the Power of the Black Vote, and the Fight Against Gerrymandering