Omar Opeyany
Contributing Writer
As Election Day approaches, voters in California will face important decisions on several propositions on the ballot that could have long-term impacts on the state. On Nov. 5, all mail-in votes must be dropped off at an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. and in-person votes must be cast at a polling place before the venue closes. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key measures on the ballot, along with their supporters and opponents.
Proposition 2: School Bond
This proposition would provide $8.5 billion to K-12 schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges for renovation and construction projects, with a focus on low-income districts, particularly those serving foster youth and English learners. Funds would be distributed through matching grants, with leftover resources redirected toward the removal of lead pipes in school facilities.
- Supporters: California Democratic Party, California Federation of Teachers, Small School Districts Association, California School Boards Association,
- Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Proposition 3: Same-Sex Marriage
This measure seeks to make the right to same-sex marriage permanent in California’s constitution, officially removing outdated language that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.
- Supporters: Equality California American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Opponents: The American Council of Evangelicals, California Family Council
Proposition 4: Climate Bond
Proposition 4 authorizes $10 billion in state debt to fund environmental and climate-related projects, including $1.9 billion to improve drinking water infrastructure. Key projects include flood and drought protection, river and lake restoration, coastal and ocean preservation, and agricultural sustainability. The bond will be subject to annual audits.
- Supporters: California Professional Firefighters, California Municipal Utilities Association, National Wildlife Federation, SEIU California, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Opponents: California Republican Party, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Senate GOP Leader Brian Jones
Proposition 5: Voting Threshold for Bonds
This proposition would lower the threshold for local governments to approve borrowing for affordable housing, infrastructure projects, and assistance programs. It would apply to both future and current bonds listed on the ballot.
- Supporters: California Housing Partnership, California Democratic Party, League of Women Voters of California, United Way Bay Area, California State Building and Construction Trades Council
- Opponents: California Republican Party, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses
Proposition 6: Involuntary Servitude in Prisons
Proposition 6 aims to eliminate involuntary labor in California prisons by prohibiting the state from forcing incarcerated individuals to work. Instead, they will be offered voluntary work programs to earn credits toward reducing their sentences.
- Supporters: ACLU California Action, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, California Black Legislative Caucus
- Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Proposition 32: Raising Minimum Wage
This measure would raise California’s minimum wage to $17 per hour for the remainder of 2024 and increase it to $18 per hour starting January 2025. Small businesses with 25 or fewer employees will be required to meet the $18 minimum wage by 2026.
- Supporters: California Labor Federation, United Farm Workers, Working Families Party California
- Opponents: California Republican Party, California Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association
Proposition 33: Rent Control Expansion
If passed, this proposition would allow cities to impose rent control on all types of housing, including single-family homes and new apartments. This would let local cities have more discretion in setting rent control instead of the limits currently imposed by the state of California.
- Supporters: Veterans’ Voices, California Nurses Association, Housing is a Human Right
- Opponents: California Republican Party, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Small Business Association
Proposition 34: Patient Spending
Proposition 34 would require health care providers that spend over $100 million on expenses unrelated to direct care to allocate at least 98 percent of their net drug sale revenues to direct patient care. The measure targets organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
- Supporters: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, ALS Association, California Chamber of Commerce
- Opponents: Consumer Watchdog, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Proposition 35: Health Care Tax
This measure would direct revenue from the existing tax on health care plans to fund Medi-Cal, California’s public insurance program for low-income individuals. The tax revenue would be used to support mental health services, specialty care, emergency services, and family planning programs.
- Supporters: California Medical Association, League of Women Voters of California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
- Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Proposition 36: Criminal Penalties
Proposition 36 would reclassify certain misdemeanor theft and drug crimes as felonies. Offenders could avoid prison by participating in drug treatment programs, but failure to complete treatment could result in a prison sentence of up to three years.
- Supporters: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, California Correctional Peace Officers Association
- Opponents: ACLU of Northern California, Alliance for Safety and Justice: Council on American-Islamic Relations, California
For more information about these propositions, Cal Matters has also written an extensive breakdown of propositions on the 2024 ballot.