What you need to know about California’s 17 ballot measures
The Nov. 8 election is upon us, and Californians are already voting in record numbers. They face 17 ballot measures – tax increases, condom requirements, ammunition controls and marijuana legalization among them.
What to do?
Our complete voter guide is available here. But below you can find direct links to a brief rundown of what each measure does, what it costs and who’s taken a position on it and why. We’ve also included links to some of The Sacramento Bee’s coverage of each measure. Want to go deeper into who’s writing checks for and against each measure? Check out the Money Trail for up-to-date campaign finance information. If you’re interested in what The Bee’s Editorial Board has recommended on all of the measures, look here.
Proposition 51 – School construction bonds
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
State’s role in building schools at issue in battle over Prop. 51
Proposition 52 – Hospital fees
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Ad by hospital fee proponents is truthful
Proposition 53 – Revenue bond restrictions
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
This wealthy farmer is taking on Sacramento: ‘God help you if you disagree with him’
Anti-Prop. 53 campaign overplays disaster card in TV ad
Proposition 54 – Legislative transparency
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Proposition 55 – Extend income tax on high earners
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Proposition 55 would extend ‘temporary’ tax for 12 years
Proposition 56 – Tobacco taxes
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Medi-Cal funding draws broad coalition to tobacco tax measure
Tobacco companies mislead voters in Prop. 56 ads on school funding
Pro-tobacco tax ad mostly rings true
Proposition 57 – Criminal justice
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Gov. Jerry Brown contemplates second chances in backing prison-reform measure
Marc Klaas: Victims ‘kneecapped’ by Jerry Brown
Proposition 58 – Bilingual education
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Bilingual education back on ballot 18 years after voters rejected it
Proposition 59 – Citizens United campaign finance
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Proposition 60 – Requires condoms in porn
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Spending big on sex and drug initiatives, AIDS activist Michael Weinstein says he ‘can’t lose’
Proposition 61 – State drug price cap
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Spending big on sex and drug initiatives, AIDS activist Michael Weinstein says he ‘can’t lose’
Proposition 62 – Death penalty repeal
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Sentenced to die? Depends on the county in California
Death penalty opponents exaggerate cost of executions in new ad
Proposition 63 – Gun, ammunition control
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
California’s gun control initiative would toughen already-strict laws
Proposition 64 – Marijuana legalization
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
What stoned driving looks like and how California might regulate it
When pot is legal, how do you convince teens to abstain?
Ad against marijuana legalization makes accurate claims
Ad for legalizing marijuana sticks to the facts
Proposition 65 – Plastic bags sale profits
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Environmental nuisance or grocery-store necessity? California voters to decide fate of plastic bags
Proposition 66 – Death penalty procedures
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Sentenced to die? Depends on the county in California
Proposition 67 – Plastic bag ban referendum
What it does, who’s pushing it and who’s fighting it
Environmental nuisance or grocery-store necessity? California voters to decide fate of plastic bags
Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau: 916-321-1199, @CapitolAlert
This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 2:36 PM.