California Ballot Propositions

Click on propositions for more info.

  • Authorizes Bonds Continuing Stem Cell Research.

    • Authorizes $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund grants from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to educational, non-profit, and private entities for: stem cell and other medical research, including training; stem cell therapy development and delivery; research facility construction; and associated administrative expenses.
    • Dedicates $1.5 billion to research and therapy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central nervous system diseases and conditions.
    • Appropriates General Fund moneys to pay bond debt service.
    • Expands programs promoting stem cell and other medical research, therapy development and delivery, and student and physician training and fellowships.
    • Increased state costs to repay bonds estimated at about $260 million per year over the next roughly 30 years.

    Read more about Prop 14: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Increases Funding for Public Schools, Community Colleges, and Local Government Services by Changing Tax Assessment of Commercial and Industrial Property.

    • Increases funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and local governments by requiring that commercial and industrial real property be taxed based on current market value, instead of purchase price.
    • Exempts from taxation changes: residential properties; agricultural land; and owners of commercial and industrial properties with combined value of $3 million or less.
    • Any additional educational funding will supplement existing school funding guarantees.
    • Exempts small businesses from personal property tax; for other businesses, provides $500,000 exemption

    Read about Prop 15: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Allow Diversity as a Factor in Public Employment, Education, and Contracting Decisions.

    • Permits government decision-making policies to consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to address diversity by repealing article I, section 31, of the California Constitution, which was added by Proposition 209 in 1996.
    • Proposition 209 generally prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, individuals or groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, education, or contracting.
    • Does not alter other state and federal laws guaranteeing equal protection and prohibiting unlawful discrimination.

    Read more about Prop 16: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Restores Right to Vote After Completion of Prison Term.

    • Amends state constitution to restore voting rights to persons who have been disqualified from voting while serving a prison term as soon as they complete their prison term.

    Read about Prop 17: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Amends California Constitution to Permit 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Primary and Special Elections if They Will Turn 18 by the Next General Election and be Otherwise Eligible to Vote.

    • The California Constitution currently permits individuals who are at least 18 years old on the date of an election to vote in that election.
    • Amends constitution to permit 17-year-olds who will be at least 18 years old and otherwise eligible to vote at the time of the next general election to vote in any primary or special election that occurs before the next general election.

    Read about Prop 18: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Changes Certain Property Tax Rules.

    • Permits homeowners who are over 55, severely disabled, or whose homes were destroyed by wildfire or disaster, to transfer their primary residence’s property tax base value to a replacement residence of any value, anywhere in the state.
    • Limits tax benefits for certain transfers of real property between family members.
    • Expands tax benefits for transfers of family farms.
    • Allocates most resulting state revenues and savings (if any) to fire protection services and reimbursing local governments for taxation-related changes.

    Read about Prop 19: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Restricts Parole for Non-Violent Offenders. Authorizes Felony Sentences for Certain Offenses Currently Treated Only as Misdemeanors.

    • Limits access to parole programs established for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term of their primary offense by eliminating eligibility for certain offenses.
    • Changes standards and requirements governing parole decisions under this program.
    • Authorizes felony charges for specified theft crimes currently chargeable only as misdemeanors, including some theft crimes where the value is between $250 and $950.
    • Requires persons convicted of specified misdemeanors to submit to collection of DNA samples for state database.

    Read about Prop 20: BallotPedia · CalMatters

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

    • Amends state law to allow local governments to establish rent control on residential properties over 15 years old. Allows local limits on annual rent increases to differ from current statewide limit.
    • Allows rent increases in rent-controlled properties of up to 15 percent over three years at start of new tenancy (above any increase allowed by local ordinance).
    • Exempts individuals who own no more than two homes from new rent-control policies.
    • In accordance with California law, prohibits rent control from violating landlords’ right to fair financial return.

    Read about Prop 21: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Exempts App-Based Transportation and Delivery Companies from Providing Employee Benefits to Certain Drivers.

    • Classifies drivers for app-based transportation (rideshare) and delivery companies as “independent contractors,” not “employees,” unless company: sets drivers’ hours, requires acceptance of specific ride and delivery requests, or restricts working for other companies.
    • Independent contractors are not covered by various state employment laws—including minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.
    • Instead, independent-contractor drivers would be entitled to other compensation—including minimum earnings, healthcare subsidies, and vehicle insurance.
    • Restricts certain local regulation of app-based drivers.
    • Criminalizes impersonation of drivers.

    Read about Prop 22: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Establishes State Requirements for Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Requires On-Site Medical Professional.

    • Requires at least one licensed physician on site during treatment at outpatient kidney dialysis clinics; authorizes California Department of Public Health to exempt clinics from this requirement if there is a shortage of qualified licensed physicians and the clinic has at least one nurse practitioner or physician assistant on site.
    • Requires clinics to report dialysis-related infection data to state and federal governments.
    • Prohibits clinics from closing or reducing services without state approval.
    • Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on the source of payment for care.

    Read about Prop 23: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Amends Consumer Privacy Laws.

    • Permits consumers to: (1) prevent businesses from sharing personal information; (2) correct inaccurate personal information; and (3) limit businesses’ use of “sensitive personal information”—including precise geolocation; race; ethnicity; religion; genetic data; private communications; sexual orientation; and specified health information.
    • Establishes California Privacy Protection Agency to additionally enforce and implement consumer privacy laws and impose fines.
    • Changes criteria for which businesses must comply with laws.
    • Prohibits businesses’ retention of personal information for longer than reasonably necessary.
    • Triples maximum penalties for violations concerning consumers under age 16.
    • Authorizes civil penalties for theft of consumer login information, as specified.

    Read about Prop 24: BallotPedia · CalMatters

  • Referendum on Law that Replaced Money Bail with System Based on Public Safety and Flight Risk.

    A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, a 2018 law that:

    • Replaced the money bail system (for obtaining release from jail before trial) with a system based on a determination of public safety and flight risk.
    • Limits detention of a person in jail before trial for most misdemeanors.

    Read about Prop 25: BallotPedia · CalMatters

Print & Share

See in other formats (with recommendations from more organizations) suitable for printing or sharing:

PDF ・Image