Ellen Perrault
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Millions of California voters cast their ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and made their priorities known as they voted on 10 ballot measures in California. Below are the preliminary results of the measures as votes continue to be counted. Voting results below are provided by the California Secretary of State and are considered unofficial until results are certified by Dec. 13, 2024.
PASSED – Proposition 2: Authorizes Bonds for Public School and College Facilities
Californians voted to pass Prop. 2, authorizing $10 billion in general obligation bonds for repair, upgrade and construction of facilities at K through 12 public schools which include charter schools, community colleges and career technical education programs. This bond includes funding for the improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades.
PASSED – Proposition 3: Amendment: Constitutional Right to Marriage
Nearly six million voters across the state voted to pass Prop. 3, which amends the state constitution to recognize the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sex or race. Current language in the California Constitution which states that marriage is only between a man and a woman will be removed.
PASSED – Proposition 4: Authorizes Bonds for Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Climate Risks
Voters passed Prop. 4, authorizing $10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention and protection of communities and lands. The decision to pass this proposition comes after a raging fire season where hundreds of thousands of acres burned across Southern California.
NO – Proposition 5: Allows Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure with 55% Voter Approval
Voters declined to pass Prop. 5 which would have allowed the approval of local infrastructure and housing bonds for low- and middle-income Californians with 55% vote. Certain local bonds and related property taxes will continue to need approval by a two-thirds vote.
NO – Proposition 6: Eliminates Forcing Incarcerated Individuals to Work
California voters decided to continue to allow jails and prisons to force incarcerated individuals to work. With 54.7% of votes counted, more than five million voters declined to ban involuntary solitude. The results were a surprise to many Californians as no opponents were listed on the measure, but the proposition was supported by organizations like the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
NO – Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage
Efforts to raise the minimum wage in the state also failed to pass. Prop. 32 set out to raise California’s minimum wage to $18 an hour starting in 2025 for employers with more than 25 employees. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the minimum wage would have increased to $17 on January 1, 2025, and $18 on January 1, 2026.
NO – Proposition 33: Repeals Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995
Efforts to address affordable housing made its way on the ballot again with Prop. 33, a measure that aimed to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. Similar propositions have been introduced to the ballot over the years, and have failed to pass, just as Prop. 33 did this election season.
PASSED – Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues
Prop. 34 passed by a slim margin among voters (51%) as of Nov. 8. By passing Prop. 34, certain providers will be required to spend 98% of revenues from the federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care. This proposition authorizes a statewide negotiation of Medi-Cal drug prices.
PASSED – Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal
California voters passed Prop. 35, ensuring permanent funding for Medi-Cal health care services by making the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans permanent. New rules will determine how the state must use the revenue.
PASSED – Proposition 36: Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes
With the passing of Prop. 36, Californians seem to be taking a tough on crime approach by approving this proposition which allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if a defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. This proposition aims to address “smash-and-grab” thefts and the drug trafficking of fentanyl, which has caused thousands of overdose deaths in the state.