Arnold Schwarzenegger outlines three-pronged plan to save democracy on 'Real Time with Bill Maher'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011, unveiled his three-pronged plan to protect democracy during his appearance on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' on Friday, October 17.

The point of his proposal, the veteran actor and former politician said, is to create “something that the Republicans like, and there’s something that the Democrats like” to address the current political landscape.

On the show, Schwarzenegger also aimed at current California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50, saying it could make redistricting unfair.

Arnold Schwarzenegger lays out his three-point plan to save democracy

The first stage, Arnold Schwarzenegger explained, focuses on proposals like the Save Democracy Act. “What I suggest is to have a proposal like the Save Democracy Act, where we go and make Election Day a holiday so that everyone has time to go out and go to the election,” the 78-year-old said.

The second stage, Schwarzenegger added, centers on fair redistricting. “The second point is you have to have fair redistricting. You have to have an independent redistricting commission in each state all over the United States,” he noted. 

Finally, the third stage of the actor's plan calls for voter ID. “You have a voter ID, so then when you go and vote, people should know that you are that person,” Schwarzenegger concluded.

According to him, his three-pronged plan includes “something that the Republicans like, and there’s something that the Democrats like,” so that the parties could “get together and solve this problem.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger calls Gavin Newsom's Prop 50 'a big scam'

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t just share his three-step plan to save democracy; he also slammed Prop 50, which Gavin Newsom has attempted to push through. As Californians prepare to vote for Prop 50,  Schwarzenegger used his time on Bill Maher's show to campaign against it.

Schwarzenegger bluntly told Maher he thinks “that Prop 50 is a big scam,” noting that “there’s gerrymandering going on all over.” He added, “Do you know who I want to win? The people. The people have to win. See, I’m a Republican, but I’m not a Republican hack. I’m not a political hack. I don’t serve the party, I always serve the people. The people are first.”

Schwarzenegger added, “We cannot undo something and rip away the power that the people in California have and give it back to the politicians. We fought that for too long. Let’s not do that. Let’s be a good example. Let the Democrats outperform the Republicans, and therefore, because of their performance, win and get the House back,” leading Maher to quip, “I don’t think that’s very realistic.”

What is Prop 50?

As per the website of the Legislative Analyst's Office, California Proposition 50 aka Prop 50 aka Election Rigging Response Act is a ballot measure set for the November 4 special election. If it passes, it would temporarily replace the state’s current congressional district maps, which are usually drawn by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

These maps would be used for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, after which the independent commission would take over again.