List of California ballot propositions: 2010–2019

Last updated

This is a list of California ballot propositions from 2010-2019.

Contents

Elections

June 8, 2010 primary

№ResultDescription
13 PassedLimits on property tax assessment. Seismic retrofitting of existing buildings. Legislative constitutional amendment.
14 PassedElections. Open primaries/"Top Two primary Act".
15 FailedCalifornia Fair Elections Act.
16 FailedImposes new two-thirds voter approval requirement for local public electricity providers. Initiative constitutional amendment.
17 FailedAllows auto insurance companies to base their prices in part on a driver's history of insurance coverage. Initiative statute.

November 2, 2010 general election

№ResultDescription
18DeferredSafe, Clean, and Reliable Water Supply Act of 2010 — pushed back to November 2012 [1]
19 FailedChanges California law to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
20 PassedRedistricting of congressional districts.
21 FailedEstablishes $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles.
22 PassedProhibits the state from taking funds used for transportation or local government projects and services.
23 FailedRepeals AB 32 until unemployment is below 5.5% for four consecutive quarters.
24 FailedRepeals recent legislation (tax breaks) that would allow businesses to carry back losses, share tax credits, and use a sales-based income calculation to lower taxable income.
25 PassedChanges legislative vote requirement to pass a budget from two-thirds to a simple majority. The two-thirds majority for passing taxes would not change.
26 PassedIncreases legislative vote requirement to two-thirds for state levies and charges. Imposes additional requirement for voters to approve local levies and charges with limited exceptions.
27 FailedRepeals state legislature redistricting law

June 5, 2012 primary

In October 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill which requires all future ballot initiatives to be listed only in general elections (held in November), rather than during any statewide election. The two initiative propositions below qualified for the next statewide election (which was the June 2012 presidential primaries) prior to the signing of the law. [2]

№ResultDescription
28 PassedLimits on legislators' terms in office: state legislature from 14 to 12 years, 12 years total state Assembly and Senate term limits. [3]
29 FailedImposes additional tax on cigarettes for cancer research. $1.00 per pack, equivalent tax increase on other tobacco products. [4]

November 6, 2012 general election

№ResultDescription
30 PassedIncreases income and sales taxes temporarily for education and public safety funding. Initiative constitutional amendment. [5]
31 FailedConstitutional amendment changing responsibilities of local governments, the Legislature and the Governor in regards to the state budget. Initiative constitutional amendment and statute. [6]
32 FailedProhibits Union and Corporate using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes, as well as to politicians or their political action committees. Initiative statute. [7]
33 FailedChanges current law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company. Initiative statute. [8]
34 FailedRepeals the death penalty. Initiative statute. [9]
35 PassedImposes higher penalties on human trafficking. Initiative statute. [10]
36 PassedRevises three strikes law to impose life sentence only when new felony conviction is serious or violent. Initiative statute. [11]
37 FailedRequires labeling on raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways. Initiative statute. [12]
38 FailedIncreases income taxes for education and early childhood programs. Initiative statute. [13]
39 PassedRequires multistate businesses to calculate their California income tax liability based on the percentage of their sales in California and allocates potential revenue to create energy efficient and clean jobs. Initiative statute. [14]
40 PassedRedistricting of State Senate districts. Referendum. [15]

June 3, 2014 primary

As per the aforementioned 2011 law, only mandatory propositions sent from the state legislature may appear on the June primary ballot.

№ResultDescription
41 PassedVeterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act Of 2014. [16]
42 PassedRequires local governments to comply with laws that provide public access to their body meetings and records of government officials. Also eliminates the reimbursement for the costs of such compliance. Legislative constitutional amendment. [17]

November 4, 2014 general election

№ResultDescription
43 PassedWater Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. (pushed from November 2010 to a revised version for November 2014). [1]
44 PassedState Budget. Budget Stabilization Account. Legislative Constitutional Amendment. [18]
45 FailedHealthcare Insurance. Rate Changes. Initiative Statute. [18]
46 FailedDrug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. Medical Negligence Lawsuits. Initiative Statute. [18] [19]
47 PassedCriminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. Initiative Statute. [18]
48 FailedIndian Gaming Compacts. Referendum. [18]
49 DeferredPulled from the November 2014 ballot by the California Supreme Court for further state constitutional review. [20] The proposition eventually appeared on the November 2016 ballot as Proposition 59

June 7, 2016 primary election

As per the aforementioned 2011 law, only mandatory propositions sent from the state legislature may appear on the June primary ballot.

№ResultDescription
50 PassedAmends the state constitution to require a two-thirds vote in the respective chamber of the state legislature to suspend a state senator or assembly member. The proposal would also withhold the salaries and benefits of the suspended legislator. [21] [22]

November 8, 2016 general election

The number of propositions in this election was significantly larger than previous elections. The increase has been attributed to the relatively low number of signatures required for ballot placement for this election. The number of signatures required for ballot placement is a percentage of the turnout in the previous election. Since the turnout in the November 2014 elections was low, the number of signatures required for ballot placement in 2016 was 365,880, whereas the typical requirement is well over half a million signatures. [23]

№ResultDescription
51 PassedSchool Bonds. Funding for K-12 School and Community College Facilities. Initiative Statutory Amendment. This initiative statutory amendment would authorize $9 billion in bonds for school construction and modernization. [24] [25]
52 PassedState Fees on Hospitals. Federal Medi-Cal Matching Funds. Initiative Statutory and Constitutional Amendment. Among others, this proposed initiative statutory and constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds vote in the state legislature to change laws that impose fees on hospitals for purpose of obtaining federal Medi-Cal matching funds. [24] [26]
53 FailedRevenue Bonds. Statewide Voter Approval. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. This initiative constitutional amendment requires statewide voter approval for revenue bonds exceeding $2 billion for projects financed, owned, operated, or managed by the state or any joint agency created by or including the state. [24] [27]
54 PassedLegislature. Legislation and Proceedings. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Among other requirements, prohibits the legislature from passing any bill unless it has been published on the internet and in print for at least 72 hours prior to the vote. [28]
55 PassedTax Extension to Fund Education and Healthcare. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Extends income tax increases from 2012 and allocates the revenue from them for K-12 schools, community colleges, and healthcare programs. [24] [29]
56 PassedCigarette Tax to Fund Healthcare, Tobacco Use Prevention, Research, and Law Enforcement. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Increases cigarette tax by $2.00 a pack and allocates revenues to healthcare programs and tobacco research. [24] [30]
57 PassedCriminal Sentences. Juvenile Criminal Proceedings and Sentencing. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Increases access to parole for people convicted of nonviolent felonies and modifies how juvenile defendants can be tried as adults. [24] [31]
58 PassedSenate Bill 1174: This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and Governor on September 2, 2014, would repeal most of 1998's California Proposition 227, and thus allow multi-language education in public schools. [24] [32]
59 PassedSenate Bill 254: This mandatory proposition asks voters if they want California to work towards overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, in a similar manner to Proposition 49 from 2014 (which was removed from the ballot by the state supreme court). [24] [33]
60 FailedAdult Films. Condoms. Health Requirements. Among other requirements, this initiative statute would mandate the use of condoms in adult films and require that producers of said films pay for STI testing and vaccinations for their performers. [24] [34]
61 FailedState Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Standards. This initiative statute prohibits California state agencies from paying more for prescriptions drugs than the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pays. [24] [35]
62 FailedDeath Penalty. Initiative Statute. Repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as the maximum punishment for murder. [24] [36]
63 PassedFirearms. Ammunition Sales. Initiative Statute. [24] [37]
64 PassedMarijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute. Legalizes marijuana and hemp while imposing cultivation taxes and distribution standards. [24] [38]
65 FailedCarry-Out Bags. Charges. Initiative Statute. Redirects revenues from the sale of carry-out bags at grocery stores to environmental projects under the Wildlife Conservation Board. [24] [39]
66 PassedDeath Penalty. Procedures. Initiative Statute. Limits death penalty appeals and length of time for death penalty review. Invalidates Proposition 62 if passed by a larger proportion of the popular vote. [24] [40]
67 PassedReferendum to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags. This is a referendum on a law signed by the Governor on September 30, 2014, that would impose a statewide ban on the distribution of single-use plastic bags at grocery stores. [24] [41]

June 5, 2018 primary

As per the aforementioned 2011 law, only mandatory propositions sent from the state legislature may appear on the June primary ballot. [42]

№ResultDescription
68 PassedCalifornia Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018. Authorizes $4 billion in bonds to fund various water, parks and coastal protection projects.
69 PassedSB1 Gas Tax appropriations mandate and exempt from expenditures limit. This state constitution amendment ensures that revenues from SB1 Gas Taxes established by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 can only be used for transportation-related purposes.
70 FailedGreenhouse Gas Reduction Reserve Fund. This state constitution amendment would have created a special fund, effective on January 1, 2024, that will collect the revenue from the California Air Resources Board's cap and trade programs, that were previously established by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. A one-time, two-thirds vote in each chamber of the state legislature would then had been required for them to spend the money collected by this fund on greenhouse gas reduction projects.
71 PassedBallot measures-effective date. This state constitution amendment moves the effective date of passed ballot measures from the day after the election to the fifth day after the secretary of state certifies the results.
72 PassedProperty tax: new construction exclusion: rain water capture system. This state constitution amendment excludes rainwater capture systems, completed on or after January 1, 2019, from property tax assessments.

November 6, 2018 general election

The filing fee for submitting a proposition to the ballot has been raised by a factor of 10, from $200 to $2,000, following the signing of a law in September 2015. Originally lawmakers wanted to raise the fee to $8,000 but compromised on $2,000. The fee is refunded if the proposition makes it to the ballot. The fee increase was in response to a proposition calling for "the execution of gays and lesbians" that was circulated for the 2016 election but did not make the ballot. During debate lawmakers were concerned that the fee increase may "discourage legitimate initiatives by average citizens". [43] [44]

№ResultDescription
1 PassedVeterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will authorize $4 billion in bonds to fund various veterans' home loans and affordable housing programs. [45] [46]
2 PassedNo Place Like Home Act of 2018. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will allow revenue generated by 2004's Proposition 63, the 1 percent tax on incomes above $1 million, be used for $2 billion in bonds for homelessness prevention housing. [46]
3 FailedAuthorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute. Authorizes $8.877 billion in bonds to fund such infrastructure projects. [46]
4 PassedAuthorizes $1.5 billion in bonds to funding construction at various hospitals providing children’s health care. Initiative Statute. Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds to fund grants for construction and improvements at various children's hospitals. [46]
5 FailedChanges Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer Their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Will amend 1978's Proposition 13 by allowing homeowners who are over 55 years old or severely disabled to transfer their property tax base from their old home to their new one, regardless of the new residence's property value, location, or their previous transfers. [46]
6 FailedEliminates Recently Enacted Road Repair and Transportation Funding by Repealing Revenues Dedicated for those Purposes. Requires any Measure to Enact Certain Vehicle Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Fees be Submitted to and Approved by the Electorate. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Repeals the fuel tax increases and vehicle fees under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Any future increases would then require a mandatory proposition placed on the ballot. [46]
7 PassedDaylight Savings Time. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will repeal 1949's Proposition 12, allowing the state legislature to enact permanent daylight saving time, subject to approval by the U.S. Congress. [46]
8 FailedAuthorizes State Regulation of Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Limits Charges for Patient Care. Initiative Statute. Among other requirements, mandates that kidney dialysis clinics issue refunds to their patients if their revenue exceeds 115 percent of their costs of direct patient care and health care quality improvements. [46]
9 PulledDivision of California into Three States. Initiative Statute. Also known as the Cal 3 measure, would have divided California into three U.S. states, subject to approval by the U.S. Congress. [46] Removed from the ballot by order of the California Supreme Court on July 18, 2018, for further legal review. [47]
10 FailedExpands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute. Repeals the Costa–Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, lifting its limits on municipal rent control ordinances. [46]
11 PassedRequires Private-Sector Emergency Ambulance Employees to Remain on Call During Work Breaks. Changes Other Conditions of Employment. Initiative Statute. Among other requirements, would require private-sector emergency ambulance employees to remain on call during breaks, be trained in certain emergency situations, and receive paid mental health services from their employers. [46]
12 PassedEstablishes New Standards for Confinement of Certain Farm Animals; Bans Sale of Certain Non-Complying Products. Initiative Statute. Requires meats and eggs be produced from farm animals that are confined in areas greater than a specific amount of space. [46]

References

  1. 1 2 Cavanaugh, Tim (2010-08-10). "Another Schwarzenegger Idea Runs Dry". Reason Magazine . Retrieved 2011-03-06. Prop. 18 supporters have opted to remove the initiative from the ballot and bring it back in 2012
  2. ↑ Siders, David (October 8, 2011). "Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill restricting ballot initiative to November elections". Sacramento Bee . Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Request to Prepare Title and Summary" (PDF). 8 October 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
  4. ↑ "Request to Prepare Title and Summary - CALIFORNIA CANCER RESEARCH ACT" (PDF). 7 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
  5. ↑ "Proposition 30 - Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  6. ↑ "Proposition 31 - State Budget. State and Local Goverment. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  7. ↑ "Proposition 32 - Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  8. ↑ "Proposition 33 - Auto Insurance Companies. Prices Based on Driver's History of Insurance Coverage. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  9. ↑ "Proposition 34 - Death Penalty. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  10. ↑ "Proposition 35 - Human Trafficking. Penalties. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  11. ↑ "Proposition 36 - Three Strikes Law. Repeat Felony Offenders. Penalties. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  12. ↑ "Proposition 37 - Genetically Engineered Foods. Labeling. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  13. ↑ "Proposition 38 - Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  14. ↑ "Proposition 39 - Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  15. ↑ "Proposition 40 - Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  16. ↑ "Proposition 41 - Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  17. ↑ "Proposition 42 - Public Records. Open Meetings. State Reimbursement to Local Agencies. Legislative Constitutional Amendment" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". Secretary of State of California. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Proposition 46 - Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. Medical Negligence Lawsuits. Initiative Statute" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  20. ↑ "'Citizens United' Measure Removed From California's Fall Ballot". KQED. August 11, 2014. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  22. ↑ "California Legislator Suspension Amendment, Proposition 50 (June 2016)". Ballotpedia . Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  23. ↑ Myers, John (November 8, 2015). "California's ballot could be a blockbuster next November". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2018-04-03.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Proposition 51: K-12 and Community College Facilities". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Proposition 52: Medi-Cal Hospital Fee Program". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Proposition 53: Voter Approval of Revenue Bonds". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Proposition 54: Legislative Procedure Requirements". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Proposition 55: Tax Extension for Education and Healthcare". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Proposition 56: Cigarette Tax". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Proposition 57: Criminal Sentences & Juvenile Crime Proceedings". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Proposition 58: English Proficiency. Multilingual Education". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Proposition 59: Corporate Political Spending Advisory Question". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Proposition 60: Adult Film Condom Requirements". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Proposition 61: State Prescription Drug Purchase Standards". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Proposition 62: Repeal of Death Penalty". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Proposition 63: Firearms and Ammunition Sales". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Proposition 64: Marijuana Legalization". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Proposition 65: Carryout Bag Charges". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Proposition 66: Death Penalty Procedure Time Limits". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Proposition 67: Ban on Single-use Plastic Bags". Secretary of State of California. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". Secretary of State of California . Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  43. ↑ McGreevy, Patrick (August 17, 2015). "California lawmakers vote to raise initiative fee from $200 to $2,000". Los Angeles Times .
  44. ↑ Fimrite, Peter (September 1, 2015). "State ballot initiative fee raised to $2,000 to prevent mischief". San Francisco Chronicle.
  45. ↑ "California lawmakers reach deal on affordable housing bond". Los Angeles Times. August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  47. ↑ Egelko, Bob (July 18, 2018). "Splitting up California: State Supreme Court takes initiative off ballot". San Francisco Chronicle.
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