Photo: Getty Images
As the 2022 General Election rapidly approaches, voters around Southern California are beginning to research the issues and candidates as they prepare to cast their ballot. But before you fill in your ballot, there are a few things you need to know about voting this year.
The last day to register to vote in the November 8th, 2022 General Election is October 24, 2022.
County election offices will begin mailing ballots no later than October 10, 2022.
If you vote by mail, your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county election's office no later than November 15th, 2022.
You can sign up to track the status of your ballot here.
Important Dates to remember:
The deadline to register online or by mail is October 24, 2022.
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th.
- Voters can begin voting at selected Voting Centers across Los Angeles up to 10 days prior to Election Day.
- Starting 28 days before Election Day, there will be at least one drop-off location for every 15,000 registered voters.
- From Oct. 10 to Nov. 7, 2022, early voting sites will be open.
- Voter Centers/polling stations open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8.
- Last day to receive vote-by-mail ballot postmarked no later than Nov. 15, 2022.
Quick Links:
Photo: Getty Images
Major Races, Campaigns and Ballot Propositions
Running for Governor of California
Governor Gavin Newsom vs. Senator/Farmer Brian Dahle
Learn more about the candidates and their stances on the issues here:
Running for LA County Sheriff
Incumbent LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva vs. retired Long Beach police chief Robert Luna
Learn more about the candidates and their stances on the issues here:
LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva
Retired Long Beach police chief Robert Luna
California Statewide Ballot Measures
PROPOSITION 1 – Guarantee Abortion Rights in State Constitution
What: This ballot measure would amend the current California Constitution in order enshrine a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. This amendment would protect the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives.
Why It Matters: While a right to privacy is already guaranteed in the California Constitution, it is not explicitly defined. The overturning of Roe V. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June has raised fears that there could be a change in legal interpretation or partisan control, which could undermine those protections for Californians in the future.
Fiscal Impact: Since these rights already exist in the California Constitution, there is no direct fiscal impact. However, whether a court might interpret the proposition to expand reproductive rights beyond existing law is unclear. If a court finds that the proposition expands these rights it could mean that it also expands the government’s obligation to pay for contraception and abortion procedures. In California, contraception and abortion procedures are already covered for low-income residents.
PROPOSITION 26 – Sports Betting at Tribal Casino
What: This proposition would allow tribal casinos and the state’s four horse tracks to offer in-person sports betting. It would also allow tribal casinos to begin offering roulette and dice games, including craps.
At race tracks, sports betting could only be offered to people 21 or older. Age restrictions on sports betting at tribal casinos would be negotiated by California’s governor and each tribe and would be written into each tribe’s compact with the state.
It taxes sports bets placed at horse tracks; however, it doesn’t tax tribes as they are sovereign nation. It does require tribes to reimburse the state for the cost of regulating sports.
The proposition also creates a new way of enforcing some gaming laws by allowing anyone to bring a lawsuit if they believe the laws are being violated and the state Justice Department declines to act. Any penalty and settlement money that results would go to the state.
Why It Matters: While tribes have long had the exclusive right to offer certain forms of gambling in the state of California, sports betting -besides horse racing – isn’t currently legal in California. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports betting in 2018 and it has proven both popular andlucrative in the 35 states plus Washington D.C. that have allowed it.
Fiscal Impact: According to state analysts, the proposition could generate as much as tens of millions annually for the state but it is difficult to properly estimate. Any revenue generated from this proposition would first be spent on education commitments and regulatory costs. Any money left over would then go to the state’s discretionary fund as well as to gaming/mental health research and the enforcement of gaming rules.
PROPOSITION 27 – Allow Online Sports Betting
What: Proposition 27 would allow licensed tribes and gaming companies to offer both mobile and online sports betting for adults 21 and older outside Native American tribal lands. This measure would create extremely high thresholds for gaming companies to do business in California, essentially making it impossible for smaller gaming companies to compete.
Why It Matters: Prop. 27 would create a new division within the state’s Justice Department to regulate online sports wagering. As such, the division would also be able to decide whether to approve new forms of gambling, such as betting on award shows and video games. The Justice Department would also be given additional powers to address illegal sports betting.
Fiscal Impact: State analysts estimate that, due to tribes and gaming companies being required to pay fees and taxes to the state, this proposition could generate several hundred million dollars a year. The actual amount is unknown. The money generated would towards covering the state’s regulatory costs, address homelessness, and support gambling addiction programs. Fifteen percent of the money generated would go to Native American tribes that aren’t involved in sports betting.
PROPOSITION 28 – Arts and Music Education Funding
What: This measure guarantees that the state of California allocates at least 1% of Proposition 98 funding (money guaranteed for public schools and community colleges in the state budget) would go towards music and arts education. Schools with high proportions of students from low-income households would receive more funding. School districts will be required to spend 80% of the new funding on hiring arts and music instructors while also publishing annual reports detailing how they spent that money.
Why It Matters: In most cases, when school district budgets are cut during economic downturns, arts and music programs often are the first to be downsized. The hopes of Prop. 28 is to turn the arts into a core subject along with math, science and reading.
Fiscal Impact: It is estimated that $1 billion annually will be set aside.
PROPOSITION 29 – Impose New Rules on Dialysis Clinics
What: This measure would require multiple things starting with implanting that kidney dialysis clinics must have at least one physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with six months of relevant experience available on some site or via telehealth. Also, clinics would be required to report infection data to the state and publicly list physicians who have ownership interest of 5% or more in a clinic. Proposition 29 would also prohibit clinics from closing or reducing services without state approval and would prohibit clinics from refusing treatment to people base on their insurance type.
Why It Matters: This proposition will be the third effort by the union, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, to approach dialysis clinics through the ballot process. According to the union, it hopes this proposition will encourage reform to the booming industry and increase transparency. However, dialysis companies say the union’s effort is an attempt to pressure clinics and organize dialysis workers.
Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact of this measure means it could increase costs for state and local governments in the estimate of tens of millions of dollars annually to account for healthcare and health insurance costs.
PROPOSITION 30 – Tax Millionaires for Electric Vehicle, Wildfire Prevention Programs
What: This measure would impose a 1.75% personal income tax increase on Californians making more than $2 million per year to fund numerous climate programs. The goal of Proposition 30 is to clean up the state’s polluted air and help meet greenhouse gas reduction targets. It would create
Why It Matters: To address climate change concerns, California has committed to cutting emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The state plans to ban all new sales of gas-powered cars by 2035. California’s effort to address climate change is met with some criticism and skepticism when considering the affordability and efficiency of electric vehicles.
Fiscal Impact: The measure would create a new revenue stream that would subsidize zero-emission vehicles and fund wildfire response and prevention. This is valued between $3.5 billion and $5 billion annually with the ability to grow over time, according to state analysts.
PROPOSITION 31 – Uphold Flavored Tobacco Ban
What: Proposition 31 will decide whether to overturn a 2020 law that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products.
Why It Matters: In 2020, Gov. Newsom signed a law to ban the sale of certain flavored tobacco products (including those tasting like cotton candy, honey, and mango, or even menthol). The law was intended to keep flavored tobacco away from kids and teens. This law has not yet gone into effect yet, but at least 60 cities and counties across California have already banned the sale of some flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes.
Fiscal Impact: If upheld, Prop. 31 would impact the state’s budget costing as much as $100 million in annual tobacco tax revenue from the sale of flavored tobacco.