California voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure Tuesday to reverse course on progressive criminal justice reform, cracking down on robbery crimes and the use of the deadly drug fentanyl.
Proposition 36 reforms a law passed a decade ago that reduced some felonies to misdemeanors and was seen as a milestone in California's attempt to end the harsh crime-fighting policies of the past.
Support for Proposition 36 comes amid growing concerns about crime, homelessness and drug use in the state, an issue that was seized upon by Republicans and some Democratic mayors of big cities during the 2024 elections.
“For more than a decade, California voters have urged state leaders to reduce overincarceration and overspending on prisons and expand investments in programs proven to prevent crime in the first place and stop cycles of crime by rehabilitation,” said Anthony York, spokesman for the No on 36 campaign. “The broad coalition of organizations that opposed Prop 36 will continue to advocate for smart, effective criminal justice reform and new safety solutions that work for everyone. communities”.
Californians also voted Tuesday to approve Proposition 3, shedding the last vestiges of Proposition 8, the measure passed by voters in 2008 that banned same-sex marriage and was later declared unconstitutional.
The measure repeals the outdated clause and enshrines marriage as a “fundamental right” for everyone, a precaution that supporters, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, said was necessary in the event of potential Supreme Court rulings by a conservative majority. of judges appointed by former President Trump.
Proposition 32, a statewide ballot initiative to raise California's current $16 minimum wage by $2 for all employees by 2026, appeared to be in a tighter race but was headed toward failure.
The measure was supported by unions and anti-poverty advocates, but was opposed by influential business interests.
Proposition 36 was by far the highest-profile measure, with millions raised on both sides and so politically complicated that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, the former attorney general of California, refused to say whether she supported it. .
Pre-election opinion polls on Tuesday showed strong voter support for Proposition 36 despite warnings from Newsom and the Democratic leadership of the California Legislature, who urged voters to take a cautious approach to the ballot measure, saying it would eliminate state savings that are allocated to anti-recidivism programs and dramatically increase the prison population.
Support for Proposition 36 alarmed criminal justice advocates, who argued that Proposition 47 helped reduce incarceration and promoted reform, while critics claim it contributed to rising crime rates in the state.
Proponents of the measure said Tuesday's results “reflect Californians' strong desire for safer communities.”
California voters also weighed in on proposals that would affect the state's response to climate change, rent and more. This story will be updated as updated vote counts become available.
Proposition 2
This bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion to modernize K-12 schools and community colleges. The funds will be used to repair outdated school buildings and upgrade libraries, heating and cooling systems and broadband Internet.
Money from the last successful school bond, approved by voters in 2016, has been spent and school districts report aging buildings, dangerous mold and leaking roofs.
Early poll results on Tuesday showed that a majority of voters support this measure.
Proposition 4
This bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion to help fund response to climate-related disasters such as droughts, floods and extreme heat. It would also help ensure drinking water. It is the largest investment to combat climate change in California history.
The bond would also be allocated to guarantee drinking water and protection against forest fires. California taxpayers would pay the bond with interest, and the cost would be estimated at 400 million dollars a year over the next 40 years, or $16 billion, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office in Sacramento.
The first results of the polls showed that the majority of voters support this measure.
Proposition 5
This measure would make it easier for local governments to approve bonds and tax measures that finance affordable housing and some public infrastructure. Proposition 5 reduces the voting threshold required to pass those measures from a two-thirds supermajority to 55%.
The new threshold would apply to local measures affecting low-income housing, road and transportation expansions, parks and wildfire resiliency.
Early poll results showed that the majority of voters opposed this measure.
Proposition 6
This measure would ban involuntary servitude and end mandatory work requirements for state prisoners. The proposed constitutional amendment is part of a reparations package for descendants of enslaved African Americans in the US.
California is one of eight states that still allows involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment. Proposition 6 would end work mandates for state prisoners and instead create volunteer work programs.
Early poll results showed that the majority of voters opposed this measure.
Proposition 33
California voters rejected this measure, which would have allowed cities and counties to enact rent control. Proposition 33 would have repealed a 1995 law called the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which generally prohibits local governments from capping rental rates issued by landlords.
The measure would have given local jurisdictions more power to regulate rents and allow them to impose price caps.
Proposition 34
This measure would require health care providers to spend most of the revenue they earn from federal prescription drug discount programs on direct patient care.
It applies only to a very specific subset of doctors who have spent more than $100 million over a decade on “anything other than direct patient care.”
Early survey results showed this measure had a modest lead. .
Proposition 35
California voters approved a measure to provide permanent funding for Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid.
Right now, a tax on managed health insurance plans that fund the program is set to expire in 2026.
