I grew up in Pennsylvania, a state without voter propositions. Upon arriving in California some years ago, I found the "prop" system to be complicated and kind of a big pain. Over the years I’ve taken to making myself a chart of what the various useful (to me) sources are saying about the propositions. This time I am sharing it here as I hope it will be useful to others. Any mistakes are probably the result of transcription error on my part. I’ll be happy to correct them. In compiling this, I picked my region’s two largest papers, plus the LA Times. You’ll also find the recommendation of the California League of Women Voters and the "party lines" of the two major parties. Whatever you do: go out and vote!
Useful Links:
- http://www.smartvoter.org
- http://www.kqed.org/news/election/propositions.jsp (includes KQED’s Forum and California Report audio programs on the props).
- LA Times Endorsements (provides links to articles, I didn’t have time to fill them all in in below)
- Green Party positions on the props
Prop | Pro / Con / BallotPedia | CA LWV | SF Chron | SJ Merc | LA Times | CA Dem | Ca GOP |
1A High Speed Rail | www.californiahighspeedtrains.com www.derailhsr.com ballotpedia:Proposition_1A |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
2 Standards for Confining Farm Animals |
yesonprop2.com www.safecaliforniafood.org ballotpedia:Proposition_2 |
No Stance | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
3 Children’s Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. | www.imaginewithus.org ?? ballotpedia:Proposition_3 |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
4 Abortion Waiting Period/Parental Notification | www.yeson4.net http://www.noonprop4.org/ ballotpedia:Proposition_4 |
No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
5 Nonviolent Drug Offenses. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. | www.prop5yes.com http://www.noonproposition5.com/ ballotpedia:Proposition_5 |
Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
6 Police and Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws. (“Runner Initiative”) | www.safeneighborhoodsact.com www.votenoprop6.com ballotpedia:Proposition_6 |
No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
7 Renewable Energy Generation | www.yeson7.net www.noprop7.com ballotpedia:Proposition_7 |
No | No | No |
No | No | No |
8 Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry | www.protectmarriage.com www.noonprop8.com ballotpedia:Proposition_8 |
No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
9 Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole. | www.friendsofmarsyslaw.org www.votenoprop9.com ballotpedia:Proposition_9 |
No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
10 Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Bonds. | www.prop10yes.com www.noonproposition10.org ballotpedia:Proposition_10 |
No | No | No | No | Neutral | No |
11 Redistricting Reform: California Voters FIRST Act | yesprop11.org www.noonprop11.org ballotpedia:Proposition_11 |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Neutral |
12 Veterans’ Bond Act of 2008 | ??? ??? ballotpedia:Proposition_12 |
No Stance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |