California voters appear to have delivered a mixed verdict on this year’s crowded statewide ballot, weighing in on everything from a first-in-the-nation billionaire wealth tax to changes in recall elections and voter ID rules. Combined spending on the 14 measures topped nearly $1 billion, making this the most expensive ballot measure cycle in state history, according to Ballotpedia.
Results were still coming into focus Tuesday night, but early returns show clear trends on several of the most closely watched measures.
Proposition 1, which authorizes the state to borrow up to $11.25 billion for housing construction and renovation — with a chunk earmarked for affordable and homeless housing — was passing comfortably, with 59% support as of 11 p.m.
Proposition 2, which would let California set aside more money in its rainy day fund during flush years, was also headed toward approval, backed by 60% of voters as of 10 p.m. Supporters argue the change would help cushion the state’s tax revenue, which rises and falls sharply with the fortunes of its highest earners.
Proposition 3, which would make permanent a temporary income tax surcharge on individuals earning more than $360,000 a year to fund K-12 schools, was on track to pass with nearly 60% support. The tax was first approved by voters in 2012.
Proposition 4, which would have allowed state and local governments to offer public financing for political campaigns in hopes of curbing big-money influence, appeared headed for defeat, with about 52% of voters opposed.
Proposition 5, which would change how recall elections work — separating the question of removing an official from the question of who replaces them — held a narrow lead, with yes votes slightly ahead as of 10 p.m.
Proposition 37, which would create a state loan fund to help middle-class residents buy homes, was passing with strong support, more than 61% in favor.
Proposition 38, which would direct $8.4 billion in state funding toward immunology research — with about half going to a single three-person nonprofit co-founded by the measure’s sponsor, Gary K. Michelson — was leading with 57% support.
Proposition 39, a voter ID measure backed heavily by Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein that would require proof of citizenship at polling places or identification numbers on mail ballots, appeared to be failing decisively, with more than 60% of voters opposed.
The billionaire tax fight produced some of the night’s most dramatic numbers. Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ net worth to raise an estimated $100 billion over five years for health care programs, was trailing, with 56% opposed. The measure, backed by a health care workers’ union, drew fierce opposition from business groups who warned it could push wealthy residents out of the state.
Two competing measures crafted by opponents of the wealth tax produced split results. Proposition 41, which sought to tighten rules on new state taxes and effectively nullify Proposition 40, was failing with about 53% opposed. But Proposition 42, a similar effort targeting taxes on wealth and investment holdings, was leading with roughly 54% support. Under state election rules, if both Proposition 40 and Proposition 42 pass, whichever receives more votes would prevail.
Proposition 43, which would raise the threshold for passing local citizen-driven tax measures from a simple majority to two-thirds, was trailing, with 54% of voters opposed.
Proposition 44, backed by the same health care workers’ union behind the billionaire tax, would have required clinics to spend at least 90% of their revenue directly on patient care. It was failing badly, with more than 81% of voters against it.
Finally, Proposition 45 — which sought to scale back the California Environmental Quality Act, the 1970 law requiring environmental review before construction — was trailing, with 54% opposed. Supporters had argued the law often slows affordable housing and infrastructure projects, while opponents warned of weakening long-standing environmental protections.
Vote counts were expected to continue shifting as more ballots are tallied in the coming days. This story will be updated as additional results are reported.
Original source: CalMatters
