Proposition Voter Guide: What You Need to Know About California's Ballot Measures

Still not sure how to vote on the sometimes confusing state propositions on Tuesday's ballot?

Patch has put together this Proposition Voter Guide, with a brief descriptions and links to more information about each proposition to help you make an informed decision at the polls on Nov. 6.

Nonpartisan Websites

California Choices Includes an endorsements table showing where non-profits, newspapers, unions and political parties stand on each proposition. Read more about California Chocies in this Piedmont Patch article.

Smart Voter From the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund. Informational only, no recommendations.

League of Women Voters of California ballot recommendations The nonpartisan LWV Calfornia has taken positions on only five of the state propositions.

KQED 

Ballotpedia

Maplight.org Includes in-depth campaign spending information.

Gimme Props This entertaining guide to the state propositions, heavy on graphics, was put together by alumni of Oakland North, a news website operated by students at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

Propositions

Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund State Programs

Voters will face two — some say conflicting — tax measures on this year’s ballot. The first is supported by Governor Jerry Brown and is also known as the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act. The measure is intended to help close the state’s budget gap and fund schools.

The act would raise the personal income tax rate for people who make more than $250,000 a year. Individuals who make less than $250,000 a year and couples who make less than $500,000 a year will not see an increase. The ballot measure would also raise the state sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years.

The money raised from the tax hike is expected to generate $6.6 billion for education. If voters reject it, a series of trigger cuts that will result in a nearly $5.4 billion hit to education will be enforced.

The Piedmont Unified School District is urging a "yes" vote on proposition 30 as well as a second school funding measure, Proposition 38. The League of Women Voters of California supports Prop. 30.

Click here for more information on Proposition 30.

Patch Articles on Proposition 30:

• Deciphering Prop. 30 vs. 38
• Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
• California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures

Proposition 31: State Budget

This proposition would allow local governments and school districts create plans to coordinate how public services are provided. These plans include areas of public health and safety, education, social services, and economic development. Governing boards for the county, school district and city must approve the plans. The proposition would allow local governments flexibility on how state-funded programs are administered and how property taxes are transferred.

The proposition would also place restrictions on Legislature’s ability to increase or decrease state revenue and when they can pass bills.

The League of Women Voters of California opposes Prop. 31.

Click here for more information on Proposition 31.

Patch Articles and Local Voices on Proposition 31

• Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
• California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measure

Proposition 32: Political Contributions

This measure seeks to reform campaign finance rules in three key ways. The first would ban employee paycheck reductions for “political purposes.” The second would prevent corporations and unions from making direct contributions to state and local candidates or the committees that fund them.

The third would forbid government contractors to contribute to elected officials who were involved in the process that awarded them the contract. This would keep the contractors from contributing while that contract is under consideration or is in effect.

The League of Women Voters of California opposes Prop. 32.

Click here for more information on Proposition 32.

Proposition 33: Auto Insurance Rates

Prop. 33 would change state law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company. Drivers who have not had prior, continuous coverage could be charge higher rates, while those who have had coverage could receive discounts.

Click here for more information on Proposition 33.

Patch Articles on Proposition 33

• Insurance Industry-Backed Proposition on California Ballot

Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal

Prop. 34 would repeal the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This would also affect individuals currently sentenced to death. According to the proposition, the measure would create a $100 million fund for law enforcement efforts.

The League of Women Voters of California supports Prop. 34.

Click here for more information on Proposition 34.

Patch Articles on Proposition 34

• Voter Guide: Propositions 34 and 36

Proposition 35: Human Trafficking/Sex Offender

Proposition 35 would increase prison sentences and fines for human trafficking. A conviction for human trafficking would be require the offender to register as a sex offender.

Click here for more information on Proposition 35.

Patch Articles on Proposition 35

• Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
• California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures

Proposition 36: Three Strikes Law

This measure would change California's current "Three Strikes" law by imposing a life sentence only when the third crime committed is a serious, violent crime. This could allow some offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions, and currently serving life sentences for nonserious, non-violent felony convictions, to serve shorter prison terms. This would not affect felons with prior convictions of murder, rape, or the sexual abuse of children.

Click here for more information on Proposition 36.

Patch Articles on Proposition 36

• Voter Guide: Propositions 34 and 36

Proposition 37: Genetically Modified Foods

Prop. 37 would require labeling alerting consumers of any raw or processed food made from genetically-modified plants and animals. Genetically engineered food cannot be marketed as "natural” under the measure, although certain foods are exempted from this measure.

Click here for more information on Proposition 37.

Patch Articles on Proposition 37

• Prop. 37: Should Genetically Modified Foods Be Denoted in Labels?

Proposition 38: Molly Munger’s Tax Proposal

This second tax rate measure would increase the state income tax rates for most Californians on a sliding scale, resulting in projected increased revenues of about $10 billion a year, according to California Choices. Revenues would go to K-12 schools and early childhood programs, as well as some of the state’s debt. If voters pass both Propositions 30 and 38, the proposition with the most votes will pass.

The Piedmont Unified School District is urging a "yes" vote on Proposition 38 as well as Gov. Brown's school funding measure, Proposition 30.

Click here for more information on Proposition 38.

Patch Articles and Local Voices on Proposition 38

• Deciphering Prop. 30 vs. 38
• Blog: Another Pop Quiz on Proposition 38
• Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
• California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures

Proposition 39: Multistate Business Tax

According to California Choices, Prop. 39 would throw out an existing law allowing multistate businesses to choose a “tax liability formula that provides favorable tax treatment for businesses with property and payroll outside California.” Multistate businesses’ California income tax liability will be determined based on the percentage of their sales in California. Increased revenue is intended to fund energy efficiency projects and clean energy jobs.

Click here for more information on Proposition 39.

Patch Articles on Proposition 39

• Prop. 39 Seeks to Close $1B Tax Loophole for Multi-State Corporations

Proposition 40: Redistricting

Prop. 40 is a referendum on the California State Senate redistricting plan approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. If the proposition does not pass, the districts will be determined by officials under the California Supreme Court.

The League of Women Voters of California supports Prop. 40.

Click here for more information on Proposition 40.

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