California General Election Ballot, Tuesday November 8, 2016 - Candidate & Ballot Measure Voter Guide

Authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for new construction and modernization of K-12 public school facilities; charter schools and vocational education facilities; and California Community Colleges facilities.

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Prop. 52 — Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal

Passing9,427,714 votes yes (70.1%)4,026,710 votes no (29.9%)

This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It extends indefinitely an existing statute that imposes fees on hospitals to fund Medi-Cal health care services, care for uninsured patients, and children’s health coverage.

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Prop. 53 — Public Vote on Revenue Bonds

Failing6,508,909 votes yes (49.4%)6,660,555 votes no (50.6%)

Requires statewide voter approval before any revenue bonds can be issued or sold by the state for certain projects if the bond amount exceeds $2 billion.

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Prop. 54 — Changes to the Legislative Process

Passing8,607,266 votes yes (65.4%)4,559,903 votes no (34.6%)

This proposition prohibits the Legislature from passing any bill unless published on the Internet for 72 hours before a vote; requires the Legislature to record its proceedings and post them on the Internet; and it authorizes the use of recordings.

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Prop. 55 — Extend Tax on High Income

Passing8,594,273 votes yes (63.3%)4,988,329 votes no (36.7%)

Extends by twelve years the temporary personal income tax increases enacted in 2012 on earnings over $250,000, with revenues allocated to K-12 schools, California Community Colleges, and, in certain years, healthcare.

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Prop. 56 — Tobacco Tax

Passing8,980,448 votes yes (64.4%)4,957,994 votes no (35.6%)

This proposition increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine.

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Prop. 57 — Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures

Passing8,790,723 votes yes (64.5%)4,847,354 votes no (35.5%)

This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It allows parole consideration for nonviolent felons; authorizes sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior, and education; and provides that a juvenile court judge decides whether a juvenile will be prosecuted as adult.

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Prop. 58 — English Language Education

Passing9,994,454 votes yes (73.5%)3,598,855 votes no (26.5%)

Preserves requirement that public schools ensure students obtain English language proficiency. Requires school districts to solicit parent/community input in developing language acquisition programs. Requires instruction to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and effectively as possible. Authorizes...

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Prop. 59 — Political Spending Advisory Question

Passing6,845,943 votes yes (53.2%)6,027,084 votes no (46.8%)

Asks whether California’s elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political...

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Prop. 60 — Condoms in Adult Films

Failing6,168,388 votes yes (46.3%)7,146,039 votes no (53.7%)

Requires adult film performers to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse. Requires producers to pay for performer vaccinations, testing, and medical examinations. Requires producers to post condom requirement at film sites.

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Prop. 61 — Prescription Drug Costs

Failing6,254,342 votes yes (46.8%)7,109,642 votes no (53.2%)

Prohibits state from buying any prescription drug from a drug manufacturer at price over lowest price paid for the drug by United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Exempts managed care programs funded through Medi-Cal.

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Prop. 62 — Repealing the Death Penalty

Failing6,361,788 votes yes (46.8%)7,218,625 votes no (53.2%)

Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to existing death sentences. Increases the portion of life inmates’ wages that may be applied to victim restitution.

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Prop. 63 — Gun and Ammunition Sales

Passing8,663,159 votes yes (63.1%)5,070,772 votes no (36.9%)

Requires background check and Department of Justice authorization to purchase ammunition. Prohibits possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. Establishes procedures for enforcing laws prohibiting firearm possession by specified persons. Requires Department of Justice’s participation in federal...

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Prop. 64 — Making Recreational Marijuana Legal

Passing7,979,041 votes yes (57.1%)5,987,020 votes no (42.9%)

Legalizes marijuana under state law, for use by adults 21 or older. Imposes state taxes on sales and cultivation. Provides for industry licensing and establishes standards for marijuana products. Allows local regulation and taxation.

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Prop. 65 — Money from Carry-Out Bags

Failing6,222,547 votes yes (46.1%)7,276,478 votes no (53.9%)

Redirects money collected by grocery and certain other retail stores through mandated sale of carryout bags. Requires stores to deposit bag sale proceeds into a special fund to support specified environmental projects.

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Prop. 66 — Death Penalty Court Procedures

Passing6,626,159 votes yes (51.1%)6,333,731 votes no (48.9%)

Changes procedures governing state court challenges to death sentences. Designates superior court for initial petitions and limits successive petitions. Requires appointed attorneys who take noncapital appeals to accept death penalty appeals. Exempts prison officials from existing regulation process...

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Prop. 67 — Plastic Bag Ban

Passing7,228,900 votes yes (53.3%)6,340,322 votes no (46.7%)

A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers single-use plastic or paper carryout bags but permits sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags.

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Measure D

Passing83,816 votes yes (67.78%)39,839 votes no (32.22%)

Safety, Pothole Repair, Traffic Relief, Transit Improvement Measure. In order to: improve children's safety around schools; repair potholes; repave streets; improve traffic flow on Highway 1; maintain senior/disabled transit; reduce global warming pollution by providing transportation options like sidewalks,...

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Measure E

Passing95,016 votes yes (80.41%)23,143 votes no (19.59%)

To protect the quality of life in Santa Cruz County and to fund essential County services such as police, fire, emergency response, health services, youth and senior programs, job creation, housing, environmental protection, and animal shelter/adoption, shall Measure K be amended to revise the definition...

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Measure F

Passing4,081 votes yes (81.08%)952 votes no (18.92%)

Without increasing taxes, shall the City of Capitola extend the 2017 sunset date of its current one-quarter percent sales tax for an additional ten years to protect essential city services and facilities, such as police and emergency safety programs, protect the wharf and beach from storms and rising...

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Measure G — amendment to Charter of City of Santa Cruz Section 604

Passing18,423 votes yes (81.77%)4,106 votes no (18.23%)

Shall an amendment to the Charter of the City of Santa Cruz Section 604 be adopted?

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Measure H — amendment to Water System Charter

Passing18,077 votes yes (80.65%)4,336 votes no (19.35%)

Shall an amendment to the Charter of the City of Santa Cruz Section 1429 be adopted?

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Measure I

Passing22,637 votes yes (84.08%)4,287 votes no (15.92%)

To protect the quality of life in the City of Santa Cruz and to fund essential city services such as police, fire, emergency response, youth and senior programs, job creation, housing, and environmental protection, shall Measure L be amended to clarify minor administrative procedures, revise the cannabis...

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Measure J

Passing9,628 votes yes (75.24%)3,169 votes no (24.76%)

To protect the quality of life in Watsonville by limiting further cuts to police, fire, emergency services, parks and recreation, economic development, job creation, and essential city services; shall the City of Watsonville be authorized to levy an additional one percent of Transient Occupancy Tax on...

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Measure K

Passing9,057 votes yes (72.54%)3,429 votes no (27.46%)

Shall the Utility Users Tax Ordinance be amended reducing the tax on telecommunications and video from 6% to 5.5%, exempt low income persons/seniors/disabled from energy taxes, adding wireless and modernizing ordinance to treat taxpayers the same regardless of technology; to generate approximately four...

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Measure L

Passing9,136 votes yes (74.2%)3,176 votes no (25.8%)

To protect and preserve the quality of life in the City of Watsonville and to fund essential City services, shall an ordinance be adopted to impose a tax on cannabis cultivation of not more than $20 per square foot per year of canopy area, not more than 2.5% on gross receipts from manufactured cannabis...

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Measure M

Passing8,949 votes yes (74.19%)3,113 votes no (25.81%)

If Measure L is approved by the voters, shall (i) 20% of its proceeds be used only to pay for law enforcement and crime prevention services, (ii) 15% used only to pay for fire services, (iii) 20% used only to pay for community development, (iv) 25% used only to pay for parks and community services, (v)...

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Measure A — Upgrade local middle and high school classrooms, science labs, career training facilities, and more

Passing45,033 votes yes (75.8%)14,377 votes no (24.2%)

To upgrade local middle and high school classrooms, science labs, career training facilities, and technology infrastructure to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, English, social studies, visual/performing arts, technology, and skilled trades; acquire, renovate, construct/equip...

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Measure B — To repair/upgrade neighborhood elementary school classrooms and facilities

Passing24,522 votes yes (79.5%)6,324 votes no (20.5%)

To repair/upgrade neighborhood elementary school classrooms and facilities, including deteriorated roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems; remove hazardous materials; renovate, construct/equip, acquire classrooms, facilities and technology infrastructure to support programs in reading, math, science,...

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Measure C — To improve quality of education with funding

Passing10,064 votes yes (71.56%)4,000 votes no (28.44%)

To improve the quality of education with funding that cannot be taken by the State; repair/replace leaky roofs; make health, safety and security improvements; replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems; improve student access to computers and modern technology; modernize/construct classrooms, restrooms...

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Measure N — fire protection and emergency medical services

Passing4,457 votes yes (83.84%)859 votes no (16.16%)

To provide local fire protection and emergency medical services and to ensure prompt response times for 9-1-1 emergency calls, shall an ordinance establishing an annual parcel tax of $35 per parcel for thirty years be established with all money going to protect local fire and emergency medical services,...

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Measure O — Funding for emergency calls, vehicles, equipment, training

Passing1,565 votes yes (80.13%)388 votes no (19.87%)

To provide for immediate response to emergency calls, and continue to fund emergency vehicles, equipment and training for the volunteer fire district. Shall the Zayante Fire Protection District impose a $68 parcel tax to replace the $35 parcel tax from 1992? The general obligation bond would also retire...

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Measure S — Special Parcel Tax to Finance Paramedic Services within the District

Failing670 votes yes (45.8%)793 votes no (54.2%)

Shall the Ordinance that imposes a special tax in an amount not-to-exceed $230 dollars per developed parcel per year, and generating estimated revenues of between $410,000 and $487,500 dollars annually, with no termination date, be adopted to fund engine-company based paramedic services within the District?

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Measure C1

Passing384,465 votes yes (82.1%)83,766 votes no (17.9%)

To preserve essential local public transportation services, including those for youth, commuters, seniors, and people with disabilities, while keeping fares reasonable, shall the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District extend its existing 8 dollars per month parcel tax at current levels for 20 years with...

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Polling Location & Hours

Open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday November 8, 2016.

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Voting Information

All registered voters will get a ballot in the mail. You have 3 ways to vote:

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