

Voter Guide 🗳️
Ballots for this Nov. elections have a dizzying number of state and local propositions and measures. They’re all, of course, written to sound good; some are and some aren’t - and some have a mix of good and bad. The decisions we make will inevitably have an impact on all Californians.
STATE PROPOSITIONS
Proposition 2
State bonds for schools. The measure would give $8.5 billion to K-12 schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges for construction and modernization.
-
Supporters include both the CA Dem. and Rep. parties, labor and school boards.
-
The one opponent listed is the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Proposition 3
Reaffirm the right of same-sex couples to marry. This constitutional amendment from the Legislature would remove outdated language from Proposition 8, passed by voters in 2008, that characterizes marriage as being between a man and a woman. With gay marriage threatened by the current U.S. Supreme Court, this Prop would enshrine the right for CA residents.
-
Supporters include a broad swath of organizations.
-
Opposing the Prop. are Evangelicals.
Proposition 4
State bonds for climate programs and wildfires. Legislative Democrats placed this bond issue on the ballot. It includes $3.8 billion for drinking water and groundwater, $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest programs and $1.2 billion for sea level rise. In part, the money would offset some budget cuts.
-
Supporters include environmental organizations and utility companies.
-
Opponents include the CA Rep. Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Proposition 5
Lower voter approval requirements for local housing and infrastructure bonds. This constitutional amendment from the Legislature would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for affordable housing and other infrastructure with a 55% voter threshold. The Prop does not allow for purchases of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes.
-
Supporters include the CA Dem. Party and labor unions.
-
Opponents include the CA Rep. Party, CA Chamber of Commerce and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Proposition 6
Ban involuntary work requirements for CA prisoners and bans state prisons from disciplining people who refuse to work.
-
Supporters include the CA Dem. Party, labor unions and the ACLU.
-
Opponents include the CA Rep. Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Proposition 32
This initiative would raise the state minimum wage to $18 an hour. Under existing law, the general overall minimum wage is $16 an hour - but Fast food workers received a $20 an hour minimum on April 1 and health care workers are scheduled for a $25 per-hour minimum starting Oct. 16, 2024.
-
Supporters include the CA Dem. Party and labor unions.
-
Opponents include the CA Rep. Party and various business associations.
Proposition 33
Allow local governments to impose rent controls and reverse current law that generally prevents cities and counties from limiting rents in properties first occupied after Feb. 1, 1995.
-
Supporters include the CA Dem. Party and Nurses.
-
Opponents include business and real estate associations.
Proposition 34
Require certain health providers to use nearly all revenue from a federal prescription drug program on patient care. The Prop is aimed at curbing the current controversial practices of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which includes its active funding of varied ballot measures .
-
Supporters include the CA Apartment Associations and other business associations.
-
Opponents include the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Proposition 35
Make permanent a tax on managed health care insurance plans. This initiative is sponsored by California’s health care industry to raise more money for Medi-Cal and block lawmakers from using the cash to avoid cuts to other programs.
-
Supporters include both the Dem. and Rep. parties, Planned Parenthood and the CA Hospital Association.
-
Opponents include the CA Alliance for Retired Americans.
Proposition 36
Increase penalties for theft and drug trafficking. This initiative may be the most contentious on the ballot. It would partly roll back Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014.
-
Supporters include CA retailers, peace officers and business associations.
-
Opponents include the CA Dem. Party and ACLU.
LOCAL MEASURES
Charter Amendment DD, Redistricting Amendment
A "yes" vote supports establishing an independent redistricting commission to redraw L.A. City council district lines every 10 years.
Charter Amendment ER, City Ethics Commission Authority and Operations Amendment
A "yes" vote supports establishing a minimum annual budget for the City Ethics Commission; increasing the Commission's authority over spending decisions and hiring matters; allowing the Commission to obtain outside counsel in limited circumstances; imposing additional qualification requirements on Commission members; and requiring the City Council to hold a public hearing
Charter Amendment FF, Fire and Police Pensions and Peace Officers Amendment
A "yes" vote supports allowing certain peace officers to transfer membership from Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension plan, and require the city to pay for associated costs.
Charter Amendment HH, City Governance and Elections Amendment
A "yes" vote supports requiring that commission appointees file financial disclosures before they can be confirmed, clarifying the Controller’s auditing authority regarding City contractors; expanding the City Attorney’s subpoena power; authorizing temporary appointments to certain general manager positions; and establishing a process to evaluate the impacts of laws proposed by initiative petition.
Charter Amendment II, City Administration and Operations Amendment
A "yes" vote supports clarifying that the El Pueblo Monument and the Zoo are park property; clarifying that departments may sell merchandise to support City operations. Also includes that gender identity in non-discrimination rules applicable to employment by the City; and clarifies the Airport Commission’s authority to establish fees and regulations.
Charter Amendment LL, Redistricting for Los Angeles Unified School District Amendment
A "yes" vote supports establishing an independent redistricting commission to redraw Board of Education district lines every 10 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Measure A, Sales Tax Measure
A "yes" vote supports repealing the Measure H tax and replacing it with a sales tax of 0.5% with revenue going to affordable housing, mental health and addiction treatment, and services to children, families, veterans, domestic violence survivors, seniors, and disabled people experiencing homelessness. In 2017, voters approved Measure H, a quarter-cent sales tax to fund homeless services. If not renewed, the tax will expire in 2027. The new Measure qualified for the ballot by citizen initiative, making it exempt from the two-thirds majority required of government-initiated taxes. It requires a simple majority for passage.
Measure E, Fire Protection District Tax Measure
A "yes" vote supports authorizing an annual parcel tax of $0.06 per square foot of certain parcel improvements, generating an estimated $152 million per year, with revenue going to firefighters and paramedics.
Measure G, Ethics Commission Amendment
A "yes" vote supports amending the County charter to expand the Board of Supervisors from 5 to 9 electeds, to create an elected County Executive as well as an Ethics Commission, to establish a Legislative Analyst to review proposed policies, and to require County departments to present annual budgets in public meetings.
LAUSD, Measure US, Bond Measure
A "yes" vote supports authorizing the district to issue up to $9 billion in bonds, with revenue going to fund improving schools, and requiring an estimated property tax levy of $25 per $100,000 in assessed value.
