Tarin’s Last Minute 2016 California Ballot Measure Cheat Sheet
For local San Francisco ballot measures, see this page. For greater detail on these propositions, see the guides from the League of Pissed off Voters, Sasha Magee’s CA/SF Slate, and the SF Bay Guardian.
Prop 51 — Nope — There are no provisions to fund low-income schools and this mostly benefits developers by having the state fund construction projects put forward by (mostly richer) school districts.
Prop 52 — No — Enshrines current, just okay policy in the CA constitution, which would make it difficult to change later on.
Prop 53 — NO — Revenue bonds pay for themselves. This is about one guy who doesn’t want a tunnel going through his land and paid $4M to get this on the ballot.
Prop 54 — No — A few good sunshine provisions in here, but this would slow down the process of adding amendments, and a major drawback is that it allows recordings made in the legislature to be used in attack ads.
Prop 55 — Yes — Extension of Prop 30 Income Tax Increase. Extends by 12 years. Allocates to schools. Some to healthcare.
Prop 56 — No — $2 Cigarette Tax — This is a highly regressive tax on poor people. On the other hand it begins to regulate vaping, so I understand why you’d vote yes.
Prop 57 — YES — Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements.
Prop 58 — YES — Non-English Languages Allowed in Public Education. Basically repeals Prop 227.
Prop 59 — No — Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question. This is a proclamation. It shouldn’t be on the ballot.
Prop 60 — NO NO NO — Condoms in Pornographic Films. Empowers all Californians to sue producers and distributors for damages. Opposed by Association of Adult Film Actors. Put on ballot by a pharmacy company.
Prop 61 — No — Drug Price Standards. A well-meaning attempt to lower drug prices, but this should not have been put on the ballot. Voters should not be voting on this. It’s confusing and it has no clear outcome.
Prop 62 — YES YES YES — Ends Death Penalty.
Prop 63 — No — Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban. In general I’m an advocate for gun regulation but I’m afraid this is just a prescription for expensive lawsuits by the gun lobby, and I’m not sure why you’d need a background check if you were already a registered gun owner. Not quite the right law.
Prop 64 — No — Marijuana Legalization. Creates a new class of criminal that didn’t exist — people under 21 who use. Penalties for sharing marijuana. Neighborhood groups concerned about increase in vending. Impact on how Medical Marijuana users are allowed to grow. This is not yet the right law.
Prop 65 — NO — Dedication of Revenue from Disposable Bag Sales to Wildlife Conservation Fund. This is a smokescreen; This is a smokescreen; it would make plastic bags legal again. Did you know there was a plastic bag lobby?
Prop 67 — YES Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum — Would Confirm Bag Ban
Prop 66 — NO — Speeds Up Death Penalty — “You crooks can’t appeal so much, we just kill you in 5 years.”
