Our friends over at KCET have made this quick guide to all 17 ballot measures. Click on the artwork or the titles below to learn more and to watch a 60 second video explaining each proposition.
| Proposition | Short title | Yes vote: | No Vote: |
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School Construction Bonds | would authorize the state to issue $9 billion in bonds for building and fixing schools | the state would not have the authority to sell new bonds |
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Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal | imposes fees on hospitals indefinitely to fund Medi-Cal, and the funds could only be reallocated with voter approval | the existing hospital fee for Medi-Cal would end Jan. 1, 2018 unless the legislature extends it |
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Revenue Bonds | requires statewide voter approval for revenue bonds over $2 billion | no change to current revenue bond system |
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Publishing Legislative Bills | requires legislature to post bills on the internet 3 days before voting, and requires audio and video recordings to be posted online | no change to current system |
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Tax Extension for Education | would extend personal income taxes on high-income households to fund education and healthcare | the extra personal income tax would end Dec. 31, 2018 |
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Cigarette Tax | increases cigarette tax by $2 tax a pack and a similar increases on most other tobacco products and e-cigarettes | no new taxes on tobacco products |
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Criminal Sentencing | certain non-violent offenders could get out on parole earlier, plus judges would decide if juveniles are tried as adults. | parole criteria stay the same; minors can be tried as adults without a hearing in juvenile court |
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English Proficiency | would make it easier for public schools to decide how to teach students learning English in bilingual or English-immersion classes | things stay as they are, requiring English-only programs for most English learners |
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Corporate Political Spending | would ask California’s elected officials to use their authority to increase regulation of campaign spending and contributions (undo Citizens United) | elected officials would not be asked to try to change campaign spending regulations |
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Adult Film Regulation | the state should regulate and license the porn industry and be sure condoms are used. | there would be no change to current adult film regulations |
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State Prescription Drug Prices | state agencies can’t pay more for any prescription drug than the lowest price paid by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs | state agencies continue to negotiate drug prices on their own |
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Abolish Death Penalty | repeals California’s death penalty and replaces it with life in prison without parole | would keep the death penalty as part of California’s criminal sentencing laws** |
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Ammunition Sales & Background Checks | new restrictions for buying and selling ammunition including background checks | no new firearm or ammunition requirements |
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Legalize Marijuana | adults could legally grow, possess and use marijuana | only medical marijuana would be legal |
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Sale of Reusable Bags | would divert the money from the sale of reusable bags into a state environmental fund | money from the sale of reusable bags could go to any purpose* |
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Death Penalty Reform | changes procedures for death penalty appeals to speed up the process | no changes to current law** |
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Ban Plastic Bags | a state-wide ban on plastic bags would take effect, stores would keep the money from selling reusable bags | grocery stores would continue to provide free plastic bags unless local laws prohibit it* |
* If both plastic bag measures (Props 65 and 67) pass, the one with the most votes becomes law
**If both death penalty measures (Props 62 and 66) pass, the one with the most votes becomes law
(Proposition artwork by Henry Cram, Header image via Simplerich/Flickr)