Voters Decide: Will Simi Valley Stay with Ventura or Join Los Angeles?

Simi Valley stays in Ventura County, but its congressional representation could now be tied to Los Angeles County.

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Simi Valley may soon lose its political home in Ventura County. A controversial redistricting plan on the November ballot would detach the city from Thousand Oaks and Camarillo and link it instead to Malibu and coastal Los Angeles County.

If Proposition 50 passes on November 4, Simi Valley’s congressional ties would shift dramatically. For decades, the city has shared a voice in Washington with nearby Ventura County communities. Under the new map, that connection would be cut.

California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-San Diego, blasted the plan during debate in Sacramento. “They split Ventura County,” Jones told The Center Square (Aug. 21, 2025). He said the map would pull Simi Valley into a district shaped like a backward “C,” joining the city with Malibu and parts of Los Angeles. “The lines that they drew are ridiculous,” he said.

The plan is at the heart of Proposition 50, which California lawmakers passed earlier this month and sent to voters. Supporters say it is meant to counter Republican-led redistricting in states such as Texas. Opponents call it blatant gerrymandering designed to weaken Republican seats in California. A CalMatters analysis (Aug. 20, 2025) found the map could cut the state’s Republican delegation in Congress nearly in half.

For Simi Valley, the political shift is more personal. Thousand Oaks—just a few miles away—would remain in a different district. That means two neighboring Ventura County cities with shared schools, businesses, and transportation routes could soon be represented in Washington by different members of Congress.

While the political fight plays out statewide, Ventura County election officials are preparing for the practical side. Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion said the short timeline is challenging, but the office is moving quickly. “We are working to fast-track everything we can,” she said in an Aug. 28 press release. Ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes October 6.

Key election details for Simi Valley voters:

• Register by: October 20
• Ballots mailed: October 6
• Drop boxes open: October 6 through Election Day, November 4, at 8 p.m.
• Early in-person voting: Starts October 6 at the Ventura County Government Center
• Vote centers in Simi Valley: Open October 25, with more locations added November 1

Most Simi Valley residents already vote by mail. Ballots can be returned at drop boxes, in the mail, or at a vote center. Ballots mailed must be postmarked by Election Day and received by November 12. Ballot tracking is available at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

What hangs in the balance for Simi Valley is not just party politics, but whether the city stays tied to Ventura County’s future—or is pulled into Los Angeles County’s orbit. Voters will decide that on November 4.