After a long and wild election night here in California voters have made their voices heard on a number of propositions on the ballot this year. With around 73% of precincts reporting (as of 9 a.m. Wednesday morning), we are getting a better idea of where things stand for the various ballot measures in the state.
Here are some of the results we've been following (Note: These could change as more votes come in).
Proposition 14: Support Bonds for Stem Cell Research
In one of the closer ballot measures of the night, Proposition 14 appears poised to pass with around 51% of the vote. Prop. 14 authorizes another $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund grants from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to educational, non-profit, and private entities for:
(1) stem cell and other medical research, therapy development, and therapy delivery;
(2) medical training; and
(3) construction of research facilities.
Of the $5.5 billion around $1.5 billion will be dedicated to funding research and therapy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central nervous system diseases and conditions. Bonds will be paid back from the General Fund, but the first payments are postponed for five years.
Because this ballot measure is closer than others, Prop. 14's victory is not set in stone yet.
Proposition 15 - Changing Commercial Property Taxes to fund education
It looks like voters in California have rejected a measure that would have increased funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and local governments by requiring commercial and industrial properties be taxed based on current market value.
Proposition 16 - Repealing a ban on Affirmative Action
Voters also rejected a proposed ban on affirmative action that was added to the California Constitution by Prop 209 in 1996. Proposition 209 generally prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, individuals or groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, education, or contracting.
Proposition 17 - Giving the vote to Felons who are on parole
In what could be a surprise for many, given the results for other issues on the ballot, voters approved an amendment to California's state constitution that would restore voting rights for felons who have been disqualified from voting as soon as they complete their prison term.
Proposition 18 - Allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries
Sorry 17-year-olds, you won't be allowed to vote in any of California's primaries after voters rejected Prop. 18 last night. This was an interesting ballot measures that was aimed at a small slice of the electorate. Prop 18 would have allowed any 17-year-old who would be 18 at the time of the next general election to vote in primary and special elections, however, it looks like voters have rejected the measure.
Proposition 19 - Changing rules for property tax assessments
With wildfire season growing longer every year, Prop. 19 was placed on the ballot this year to assist homeowners who are 55, severely disabled, or whose homes were destroyed by wildfire or disaster, to transfer their primary residence’s property tax base value to a replacement residence of any value, anywhere in the state. Prop. 19 appears to have garnered enough support to pass.
Proposition 20 - Reclassify some misdemeanors as felonies
One criminal justice reform measure on the ballot this year that would have reclassified some misdemeanors as felonies and eliminate eligibility for certain offenses. It would also change the standards and requirements governing parole decisions under this program. The bill would have also required any persons convicted of specified misdemeanors to submit to collection of DNA samples for state database. However, voters in California rejected the measure by a wide margin.
Proposition 21 - Expanding rent control by local governments
With a housing crisis that continues to worsen every year, Prop. 21 was intended to help bring stability to many rental properties over 15-years-old across California by allowing local governments to pass limits on how much rent could increase in the area. However, voters rejected the measure, which means the status quo will continue.
Proposition 22 - Defining App-based drivers as independent contractors
After a pitched battle between Uber, Lyft and the California legislature, voters have spoken, approving the measure that would reclassify app-based drivers as "independent contractors" and not "employees." This overturns AB5 passed by the legislature last year, which sought to expand app-based workers' rights.
Proposition 23 - Adding new requirements for dialysis clinics
Playing the same song all over again - voters have once again rejected a proposition that would have added new requirements for dialysis clinics in the state of California.
Proposition 24 - Expanding Consumer data privacy
Voters in California also approved Prop. 24, which expands residents' rights on what companies can do with their personal information they give up online. The measure allows consumers to:
(1) prevent businesses from sharing personal information;
(2) correct inaccurate personal information; and
(3) limit businesses’ use of “sensitive personal information”—including precise geolocation; race; ethnicity; religion; genetic data; private communications; sexual orientation; and specified health information.
The legislation also establishes the California Privacy Protection Agency to additionally enforce and implement consumer privacy laws and impose fines.
Proposition 25 - Ending Cash Bail
Voters overwhelming rejected Prop. 25, which would have reformed the cash bail system in California with a "risk-assessment model" that would determine a defendant's risk to public safety and whether they would flee.
Measure RR
It appears that voters will approve Measure RR, a $7 billion bond measure that would go toward building, repairing and modernizing local public schools. The measure, which needed a 55% margin of votes cast within LAUSD area, appears headed for victory in the unofficial results released Wednesday morning. So far, it is passing with 71% of votes cast, well-above what is required.
Measure J
County voters appeared today to have passed a charter amendment requiring that a minimum of 10% of the county's unrestricted general funds be spent on housing, mental health treatment, jail diversion programs and other alternatives to incarceration.
With initial vote-counting from Tuesday's election complete, Measure J had the support of 57% of voters. An unknown number of ballots still remain to be tallied, and mail-in ballots can still be counted if they're received as late as Nov. 20, as long as they were postmarked by Election Day.
For a full breakdown of the propositions that were on this year's ballot, check out Kris Ankarlo's podcast, Propositioned.
Photos: Getty Images