California voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to reverse the course of criminal justice reform, curbing theft and the use of the deadly drug fentanyl.
Proposition 36 reverses a law passed a decade ago that reduced certain crimes to misdemeanors and was seen as a milestone in California's effort to end tough-on-crime policies of the past.
Support for Proposition 36 comes amid growing concerns about crime, homelessness and drug use in the state, an issue that Republican and Democratic mayors have taken up in the run-up to the 2024 election.
“For more than a decade, California voters have called on state leaders to reduce over-incarceration and prison spending and expand investments into programs proven to prevent crime in the first place and break cycles of crime through corrections,” said Anthony York, a spokesman for the organization. campaign for No on 36. “The broad coalition of organizations opposed to Prop. 36 will continue to advocate for smarter criminal justice reform and innovative safety solutions that work for all communities.”
Californians voted again on Tuesday to approve Proposition 3, repealing the remnants of Proposition 8, the 2008 voter-approved measure that banned same-sex marriage and was later declared unconstitutional.
The measure repeals the outdated clause and reaffirms marriage as a “fundamental right” for everyone – a warning that supporters including Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was necessary if there were possible decisions on the Supreme Court of the majority of strong justices appointed by former President Trump.
Proposition 32, a statewide ballot initiative to raise California's $16 minimum wage by $2 for all workers by 2026, appeared to be in a close race but headed for failure.
The move received support from labor unions and anti-poverty advocates but was opposed by influential business interests.
Proposition 36 was such a high-stakes measure, with millions raised on both sides of the aisle and so politically charged that Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, California's former attorney general, refused to say whether she supported it.
Opinion polls ahead of Tuesday's election showed strong voter support for Proposition 36 despite warnings from Newsom and the leadership of California's Democratic Legislature, which urged voters to take precautionary measures, saying it would eliminate state savings allocated to those who oppose the vote. -recidivism programs and dramatically increase the prison population.
Support for Proposition 36 has alarmed criminal justice advocates, who say Proposition 47 has helped reduce incarceration and promote reform, while critics say it has contributed to rising crime rates in the state.
Supporters of the measure said Tuesday's results “show Californians' strong desire for safer communities.”
California voters are also focused on proposals that could affect the state's response to climate change, hiring and more. This story will be updated as vote tallies become available.
Proposition 2
The bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion to modernize K-12 schools and community colleges. The funding will be used to renovate outdated school buildings and upgrade libraries, heating and cooling systems and broadband internet.
Money from the last successful school bond, passed by voters in 2016, has been spent, and school districts are reporting dilapidated buildings, dangerous mold and leaky roofs.
Early voting results on Tuesday showed a majority of voters support the measure.
Proposition 4
The bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion to help finance responses to climate-related disasters such as drought, flooding and extreme heat. It can also help ensure that drinking water is clean. It is the largest investment in the fight against climate change in California history.
The bond will also be allocated to ensure safe drinking water and wildfire protection. California taxpayers will repay the bond and interest, at a modest cost $400 million a year over the next 40 years, or $16 billion, according to the nonpartisan Office of the Legal Analyst in Sacramento.
Early poll results show that the majority of voters support the measure.
Proposition 5
The measure would make it easier for local governments to approve bonds and tax measures that support affordable housing and certain public infrastructure. Proposition 5 lowers the vote threshold needed to approve those measures from a two-thirds majority to 55%.
The new limit will apply to local measures affecting low-income housing, road and transit expansion, parks and wildfire resilience.
Early poll results showed that the majority of voters were against the measure.
Proposition 6
This measure would prevent involuntary servitude and end mandatory work requirements for federal prisoners. The proposed constitutional amendment is part of a reparations plan for the descendants of African Americans enslaved in the US.
California is one of eight states that still allows involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. Proposition 6 would end federal inmate work mandates, instead creating voluntary work programs.
Early poll results showed a majority of voters opposed the measure.
Proposition 33
California voters rejected the measure, which would have allowed cities and counties to impose rent controls. Proposition 33 would have repealed a 1995 law called the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which generally prohibits local governments from reducing rental rates imposed by landlords.
The move would have given local authorities more power to control rents and allow them to approve prices.
Proposition 34
The measure would require health care providers to spend a larger portion of the revenue they receive from federal drug rebate programs on direct patient care.
It only applies to a certain percentage of doctors who have spent more than R100 million over a decade “on anything other than direct patient care.”
Early survey results have shown that this measure has a small lead. .
Proposition 35
California voters approved a measure to provide permanent funding for Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid.
Currently, the tax on managed health insurance plans that fund the plan will expire in 2026.
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