CAL MATTERS VOTER’S GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA VOTING PROPOSALS

CalMatters is a public interest journalism enterprise dedicated to explaining how the California State Capitol works and why it matters.

November 1, 2024 (Sacramento) — California voters decided on just one proposal on the March primary ballot—narrowly approving Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health measure, Proposition 1. In November, voters will decide the fate of 10 proposals—including whether borrow a total of $20 billion for climate programs and school construction, whether to pass three amendments to the state constitution and what direction to take on crime, health care and taxes.

The 2024 vote continues to be more crowded than 2022, when only seven measures passed, the fewest in more than a century.

Jump to a section or scroll down to view an analysis of all initiatives.

Sentence 2

Borrow $10 billion to build schools and colleges

This bond issue will allow the state to borrow $8.5 billion for K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges for construction and upgrades.

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Sentence 3

Affirm the right of same-sex couples to marry

This constitutional amendment would remove outdated language from Proposition 8, passed by voters in 2008, which characterizes marriage as only between a man and a woman.

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Sentence 4

Borrow $10 billion to fight climate change

This bond issue will allow the state to borrow $3.8 billion for drinking water and groundwater programs, $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest control programs and $1.2 billion for sea level rise. This money will partially offset some budget cuts.

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Sentence 5

Reduced voter approval requirements for local housing and infrastructure

The constitutional amendment would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for affordable housing and some other public infrastructure projects by lowering the voter approval requirement from two-thirds to 55%.

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Proposition 6

Limit forced labor in state prisons

This constitutional amendment would end involuntary servitude in state prisons, considered one of the last vestiges of slavery. The California Legislative Black Caucus included the proposal in its reparations program.

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Proposition 32

Raise the state minimum wage to $18.

The initiative would raise the overall minimum wage from $16 an hour and adjust it for inflation. Fast food workers will receive a minimum of $20 an hour on April 1, and health care workers will eventually receive $25, but not until October 15.

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Proposition 33

Allow local governments to implement rent controls

It’s the latest effort to overturn a state law that generally prohibits cities and counties from capping rents on properties first occupied after Feb. 1, 1995.

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Proposition 34

Require certain providers to use prescription drug revenues for patients

The measure, sponsored by a trade group of California landlords, is directly aimed at hitting the AIDS Healthcare Fund, which heavily funded the ballot measure (see Proposition 33).

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Proposition 35

Make permanent the managed care plan tax.

The initiative is sponsored by California’s health care industry to raise more money for Medi-Cal and prevent lawmakers from using the money to avoid cuts to other programs. The tax expires in 2026.

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Proposition 36

Increase fines for theft and drug trafficking

The measure, backed by Republicans and law enforcement but opposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and most Democrats, could prove to be the most controversial on the ballot. It would partially repeal Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014, which turned some felonies into misdemeanors.

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1 minute videos

Find out where you stand on these proposals before Election Day.

https://youtu.be/ixluATQ_YQg

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