California General Election Ballot, November 8, 2016 - Candidate & Ballot Measure Voter Guide

Authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for new construction and modernization of K-12 public school facilities; charter schools and vocational education facilities; and California Community Colleges facilities.

Learn More

Prop. 52 — Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal

Passed9,427,714 votes yes (70.1%)4,026,710 votes no (29.9%)

This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It extends indefinitely an existing statute that imposes fees on hospitals to fund Medi-Cal health care services, care for uninsured patients, and children’s health coverage.

Learn More

Prop. 53 — Public Vote on Revenue Bonds

Failed6,508,909 votes yes (49.4%)6,660,555 votes no (50.6%)

Requires statewide voter approval before any revenue bonds can be issued or sold by the state for certain projects if the bond amount exceeds $2 billion.

Learn More

Prop. 54 — Changes to the Legislative Process

Passed8,607,266 votes yes (65.4%)4,559,903 votes no (34.6%)

This proposition prohibits the Legislature from passing any bill unless published on the Internet for 72 hours before a vote; requires the Legislature to record its proceedings and post them on the Internet; and it authorizes the use of recordings.

Learn More

Prop. 55 — Extend Tax on High Income

Passed8,594,273 votes yes (63.3%)4,988,329 votes no (36.7%)

Extends by twelve years the temporary personal income tax increases enacted in 2012 on earnings over $250,000, with revenues allocated to K-12 schools, California Community Colleges, and, in certain years, healthcare.

Learn More

Prop. 56 — Tobacco Tax

Passed8,980,448 votes yes (64.4%)4,957,994 votes no (35.6%)

This proposition increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine.

Learn More

Prop. 57 — Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures

Passed8,790,723 votes yes (64.5%)4,847,354 votes no (35.5%)

This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It allows parole consideration for nonviolent felons; authorizes sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior, and education; and provides that a juvenile court judge decides whether a juvenile will be prosecuted as adult.

Learn More

Prop. 58 — English Language Education

Passed9,994,454 votes yes (73.5%)3,598,855 votes no (26.5%)

Preserves requirement that public schools ensure students obtain English language proficiency. Requires school districts to solicit parent/community input in developing language acquisition programs. Requires instruction to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and effectively as possible. Authorizes...

Learn More

Prop. 59 — Political Spending Advisory Question

Passed6,845,943 votes yes (53.2%)6,027,084 votes no (46.8%)

Asks whether California’s elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political...

Learn More

Prop. 60 — Condoms in Adult Films

Failed6,168,388 votes yes (46.3%)7,146,039 votes no (53.7%)

Requires adult film performers to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse. Requires producers to pay for performer vaccinations, testing, and medical examinations. Requires producers to post condom requirement at film sites.

Learn More

Prop. 61 — Prescription Drug Costs

Failed6,254,342 votes yes (46.8%)7,109,642 votes no (53.2%)

Prohibits state from buying any prescription drug from a drug manufacturer at price over lowest price paid for the drug by United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Exempts managed care programs funded through Medi-Cal.

Learn More

Prop. 62 — Repealing the Death Penalty

Failed6,361,788 votes yes (46.8%)7,218,625 votes no (53.2%)

Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to existing death sentences. Increases the portion of life inmates’ wages that may be applied to victim restitution.

Learn More

Prop. 63 — Gun and Ammunition Sales

Passed8,663,159 votes yes (63.1%)5,070,772 votes no (36.9%)

Requires background check and Department of Justice authorization to purchase ammunition. Prohibits possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. Establishes procedures for enforcing laws prohibiting firearm possession by specified persons. Requires Department of Justice’s participation in federal...

Learn More

Prop. 64 — Making Recreational Marijuana Legal

Passed7,979,041 votes yes (57.1%)5,987,020 votes no (42.9%)

Legalizes marijuana under state law, for use by adults 21 or older. Imposes state taxes on sales and cultivation. Provides for industry licensing and establishes standards for marijuana products. Allows local regulation and taxation.

Learn More

Prop. 65 — Money from Carry-Out Bags

Failed6,222,547 votes yes (46.1%)7,276,478 votes no (53.9%)

Redirects money collected by grocery and certain other retail stores through mandated sale of carryout bags. Requires stores to deposit bag sale proceeds into a special fund to support specified environmental projects.

Learn More

Prop. 66 — Death Penalty Court Procedures

Passed6,626,159 votes yes (51.1%)6,333,731 votes no (48.9%)

Changes procedures governing state court challenges to death sentences. Designates superior court for initial petitions and limits successive petitions. Requires appointed attorneys who take noncapital appeals to accept death penalty appeals. Exempts prison officials from existing regulation process...

Learn More

Prop. 67 — Plastic Bag Ban

Passed7,228,900 votes yes (53.3%)6,340,322 votes no (46.7%)

A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers single-use plastic or paper carryout bags but permits sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags.

Learn More

City of California City

Measure T

Failed1,463 votes yes (39.13%)2,276 votes no (60.87%)

Shall an ordinance increasing the rate of the City of California City's Transient Occupancy (Hotel Guest) Tax, from 6% to 10%, raising an estimated $40,000 annually in additional general fund revenues until the tax is reduced or repealed by the voters, be adopted?

Learn More

City of Delano

Measure U

Passed3,685 votes yes (50.42%)3,624 votes no (49.58%)

To maintain the City of Delano's current level of essential general services, including, but not limited to, police and fire services, street improvements, parks and recreation, and other General Fund services, shall the City of Delano continue collecting its existing voter-approved one percent (1%)...

Learn More

City of Ridgecrest

Measure V

Passed6,858 votes yes (64.18%)3,828 votes no (35.82%)

Ridgecrest Public Safety and Essential City Services Measure. To help prevent cuts and maintain City of Ridgecrest services, including: city streets and pothole repair; police officers and neighborhood police patrols; 9-1-1 emergency response times; crime prevention and investigation; and other city...

Learn More

City of Taft

Measure W

Failed762 votes yes (37.69%)1,260 votes no (62.31%)

Shall the office of City Clerk be appointed?

Learn More

City of Wasco

Measure X

Passed2,338 votes yes (65.18%)1,249 votes no (34.82%)

To provide funding for basic services such as: Sheriffs deputy response to violent crimes, burglaries/ gangs; 9-1-1 emergency medical/ fire response; Gang prevention programs; Pothole, lighting/ street repairs; Park safety/ maintenance, senior/ disabled transit services; and Water conservation; shall...

Learn More

Antelope Valley Community College District

Measure AV

Passed83,189 votes yes (70.58%)34,683 votes no (29.42%)

To upgrade math, engineering, aerospace/advanced manufacturing classrooms/labs, improve class availability and safety, update technology, repair, construct, acquire facilities, sites/equipment to maintain quality, affordable education for local students/returning veterans, and prepare students for jobs...

Learn More

Kern Community College District Facilities Improvement District 1

Measure J

Passed368,890 votes yes (55.3%)298,354 votes no (44.7%)

To upgrade classrooms to prepare students/veterans for good-paying jobs/ university transfer by updating labs/classrooms for nursing, welding, construction/ high-tech job training, repairing deteriorating gas, electrical/ sewer lines, leaky roofs, improving water conservation, ensuring access for disabled,...

Learn More

Kern High School District

Measure K

Passed113,865 votes yes (66.34%)57,775 votes no (33.66%)

To repair leaky roofs, aging plumbing, and fire/earthquake safety systems; construct and equip new classrooms and schools; expand and build career training centers for vocational education, agriculture, and biotech; and qualify for State matching funds, shall Kern High School District issue $280 million...

Learn More

McFarland Unified School District

Measure L

Failed1,024 votes yes (47.39%)1,137 votes no (52.61%)

To build, renovate or expand new or existing school facilities and provide 21st century learning environments, reduce student overcrowding, increase classroom technology infrastructure, and upgrade vocational education facilities to prepare students for college and high-paying jobs after graduation,...

Learn More

Muroc Joint Unified School District

Measure M

Passed959 votes yes (78.6%)261 votes no (21.4%)

To repair and upgrade facilities at Boron Schools, improve the quality of education with funding that cannot be taken by the State, replace leaky roofs, modernize/construct/renovate outdated classrooms, restrooms, and other school facilities, replace heating/air conditioning systems, make health and...

Learn More

Bakersfield City School District

Measure N

Passed31,411 votes yes (72.37%)11,991 votes no (27.63%)

To repair and upgrade Bakersfield K-8 schools and retain/attract quality teachers by repairing deteriorated classrooms, bathrooms, plumbing, roofs, electrical/wiring; removing asbestos/lead paint; improving school safety/disabled access; updating instructional technology; and acquiring sites and adding...

Learn More

Fruitvale School District

Measure O

Passed5,081 votes yes (64.97%)2,739 votes no (35.03%)

In order to repair aging, outdated classrooms and school buildings; upgrade classrooms, labs, and computer systems to keep pace with instructional technology; improve student safety and campus security, and provide students access to the education, technology and facilities they need to succeed in high...

Learn More

General Shafter School District

Measure P

Passed166 votes yes (61.25%)105 votes no (38.75%)

To continue to provide high quality education by acquiring, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new multi-purpose room, and by repairing, renovating, replacing, and redesigning school district facilities, shall the General Shatter School District issue $7,500,000 in bonds at legal interest rates,...

Learn More

Greenfield Union School District

Measure Q

Passed7,923 votes yes (79.52%)2,041 votes no (20.48%)

To build a new local elementary school to reduce overcrowding at existing Greenfield schools; repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems; improve school safety/security; and upgrade classrooms, labs, facilities, and instructional technology to support student achievement...

Learn More

Lost Hills Union School District

Measure R

Passed104 votes yes (62.28%)63 votes no (37.72%)

To improve Lost Hills schools, replace old portable classrooms, upgrade the science room, expand library, fix cracks in the foundation of some buildings, make other repairs to roofing, plumbing, painting, restrooms, the parking lot and ADA accessibility, and improve student support facilities, shall...

Learn More

Standard School District

Measure S

Passed4,417 votes yes (67.26%)2,150 votes no (32.74%)

To repair and modernize local elementary classrooms and school facilities, including repairing deteriorated roofs, plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems; improve school safety; add new classrooms; and acquire, renovate, construct, equip classrooms, sites/facilities to reduce overcrowding and support...

Learn More