The 10 Propositions on the November 5th Ballot

Proposition 2

Authorizes Bonds for Public School and Community College Facilities. Legislative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: The state could borrow $10 billion to build new or renovate existing public school and community college facilities.

A NO vote on this measure means: The state could not borrow $10 billion to build new or renovate existing public school and community college facilities.

Provides $8.5 Billion for repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K–12 public schools (including charter schools) and $1.5 Billion to community colleges, creating transitional kindergarten classrooms, career technical education programs, including for improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades. The money would be distributed through matching grants, with the state paying a bigger share of costs for less affluent districts and those with higher numbers of English learners and foster youth. Some of the money would be set aside for removing lead from water.

Opponents say the bill would result in higher property tax

Proposition 3

Constitutional Right to Marriage. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

A YES vote on this measure means: Language in the California Constitution would be updated to match who currently can marry. There would be no change in who can marry.

A NO vote on this measure means: Language in the California Constitution would not be changed. There would be no change in who can marry.

Amends California Constitution to recognize fundamental right to marry, regardless of sex or race. Removes language in California Constitution stating that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

Proposition 4

Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands From Climate Risks. Legislative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: The state could borrow $10 billion to fund various activities aimed at conserving natural resources, as well as responding to the causes and effects of climate change.

A NO vote on this measure means: The state could not borrow $10 billion to fund various activities aimed at conserving natural resources, as well as responding to the causes and effects of climate change.

Authorizes $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects like wildfire prevention, protection of communities and land, with the biggest chunk, $1.9 billion, for drinking water improvements. The bond prioritizes lower-income communities, and those most vulnerable to climate change, and requires annual audits.

Proposition 5

Allows Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure With 55% Voter Approval. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

A YES vote on this measure means: Certain local bonds and related property taxes could be approved with a 55 percent vote of the local electorate, rather than the current two-thirds approval requirement. These bonds would have to fund affordable housing, supportive housing, or public infrastructure.

A NO vote on this measure means: Certain local bonds and related property taxes would continue to need approval by a two-thirds vote of the local electorate.

It changes the required two-third vote to 55% to allow approval for borrowing to fund local infrastructure projects like hospitals, parks, police stations, broadband networks and the construction of affordable housing, down payment assistance programs.

Proposition 6

Eliminates Constitutional Provision Allowing Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Persons. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.

A YES vote on this measure means: Involuntary servitude would not be allowed as punishment for crime. State prisons would not be allowed to discipline people in prison who refuse to work.

A NO vote on this measure means: Involuntary servitude would continue to be allowed as punishment for crime.

Amends the California Constitution to remove current provision that allows jails and prisons to force incarcerated persons to work to punish crime.

Proposition 32

Raises Minimum Wage. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: The state minimum wage would be $18 per hour in 2026. After that, it would go up each year based on how fast prices are going up.

A NO vote on this measure means: The state minimum wage likely would be about $17 per hour in 2026. After that, it would go up each year based on how fast prices are going up.

Raises minimum wage as follows: For employers with 26 or more employees, to $17 immediately, $18 on January 1, 2025. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, to $17 on January 1, 2025, $18 on January 1, 2026.

Starting in 2027, the wage would be adjusted based on inflation, as the state already does. The hike would apply statewide, but it would have a bigger effect in some areas than in others. Nearly 40 California cities have local minimum wages that are higher than the state’s, including six that already require at least $18 and several already are just a small inflationary adjustment away from it.

Proposition 33

Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: State law would not limit the kinds of rent control laws cities and counties could have.

A NO vote on this measure means: State law would continue to limit the kinds of rent control laws cities and counties could have.

Repeals Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which currently prohibits cities from setting rent control and allowing landlords to stablish their own rental rates for new tenants or rent increases for existing tenants in certain residential properties.

Proposition 34

Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues by Certain Health Care Providers. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: Certain health care entities would have to follow new rules about how they spend revenue they earn from a federal drug discount program. Breaking these rules would result in penalties (such as not being able to operate as a health care entity), generally for a ten-year period.

A NO vote on this measure means: These new rules would not go into effect.

Health care providers who serve low income and at risk patients have been getting a discount on pharmaceuticals which in turn they sell at retail prices. The profits made from the sale of the  pharmaceuticals can be used to expand their health care services. Prop 34 Requires certain providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care. Authorizes statewide negotiation of Medi-Cal drug prices.

Proposition 35

Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: An existing state tax on health plans that provides funding for certain health programs would become permanent. New rules would direct how the state must use the revenue.

A NO vote on this measure means: An existing state tax on health plans would end in 2027, unless the Legislature continues it. The new rules would not become law.

Makes permanent the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, which, if approved by the federal government, provides revenues to pay for Medi-Cal health care services like primary and specialty care, emergency services, family planning, mental health and prescription drugs.

Proposition 36

Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote on this measure means: People convicted of certain drug or theft crimes could receive increased punishment, such as longer prison sentences. In certain cases, people who possess illegal drugs would be required to complete treatment or serve up to three years in prison.

A NO vote on this measure means: Punishment for drug and theft crimes would remain the same.

It reclassifies a misdemeanor to a  felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions.

Prop 36 would allow people who don’t contest their drug charges to complete drug treatment instead of going to jail. Not finishing the treatment could land them in jail for up to three years.