The California Propositions tackle a wide range of issues that occur in California and overall the yes versus the no on the propositions turned out to be pretty evenly distributed. There was a record high voter turnout in California and a lot of the issues were close races. 

Prop 14- Passed

Yes

The state could give 5.5 billion dollars in bonds for stem cell research and the development of new medical treatments in California. 

For Argument: This would further research and development of treatments and cures for chronic, life threatening diseases. 

No

The state would not sell 5.5 billion dollars in bonds for stem cell research and the development of the new medical treatments in California. 

Against Argument: Taxes would have to be raised to pay for the exorbitant cost and force layoffs for nurses and first responders. 

Prop 15- Not Passed

Yes

Property taxes would increase on most commercial properties that are more than three million dollars to fund local governments and schools. Commercial properties valued over three million dollars will not be taxed based on their market value, not what they were originally bought for.

For Argument: This ensures that commercial businesses pay taxes based upon their market value in order to provide more money to schools and local communities. 

No

Property taxes would stay the same and there would be no new funding for schools and local governments. 

Against Argument: 12.5 billion dollar property tax increase which would increase cost of living and everything we buy would be more expensive because there would be an increased sales tax. Businesses like OCC would be taxed much more. 

Prop 16- Not Passed

Yes

State and local entities should consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national orgin in public education, public employment, and public contracting. 

For Argument: Expands equal opportunity to all Californians, increasing access to fair wages, good jobs, and quality schools for everyone. 

No

The current ban on affirmative action and the consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national orgin in public education, public employment, and public contracting would stay in effect.

Against Argument: Politicians want to strip the Constitution of the prohibition of discrimination and preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national orgin. 

Prop 17- Passed

Yes

Formerly incarcerated Us citizens on parole who are residents of CA and over the age of 18 would be able to vote once they are registered. , residents of California, and over 18 years of age would be able to vote if they registered. 

For Argument: It grants an individual’s during parole the right to vote after they complete their prison sentence aligning California with other states and the studies show that a person who comes out of prison and is able to vote is less likely to commit a future crime.

No

People on state parole would continue to not be able to vote in California. 

Against Argument: It allows convicted criminals to vote before finishing the payment of debt to society. 

Prop 18- Not Passed

Yes

Eligible 17-year-olds who will be old enough to vote in the general election may vote in the primary election and any other elections proceeding the general election. 

For Argument: This measure will boost youth civic engagement in elections and help create more lifelong participants in the voting process. 

No

No one younger than the age of 18 may vote in any of the elections. 

Sides Argument: Younger teenage brains are not fully developed and a fully developed brain is necessary for the voting process and some younger voters might not be as educated or experienced on the issues. 

Prop 19- Passed 

Yes

All homeowners that are over 55 would be eligible for property tax savings when they move. Only inherited properties used as a regular home or farms would be eligible for property tax savings.

For Argument:  Limits taxes on seniors, severely disabled homeowners, and wildfire victims and closes unfair tax loopholes used by wealthy out-of-state investors. 

No

Some homeowners over the age of 55 would continue to be eligible for property tax savings when they move. 

Against Argument:  It is a billion dollar tax increase on families and would take away the right of parents to pass on their home to their children without any property tax increase. 

Prop 20- Not Passed

Yes

Individuals who commit certain theft-related crimes could receive increased penalties such as longer jail sentences. Additional factors would be considered for the state’s process for releasing certain inmates from prison early. 

For Argument: This closes a loophole in the law that allows child molesters, sexual predators, and others convicted of violent crimes to be released from prison early. 

No

Penalties for those who commit certain theft-related crimes would not be increased. There would be no changes in the state’s process for releasing certain inmates from prison early. 

Against Argument: It is a prison spending scam. California already has severe and lengthy sentences, including life in prison, for serious and violent crimes. This could force cuts to rehabilitation, schools, and homelessness. 

Prop 21- Not Passed

Yes

State law would allow cities and counties to apply rent control to certain properties, not including housing first occupied within the last fifteen years and units owned by people who own no more than two housing units  

For Argument: Homelessness needs to be tackled and this is a vote to keep families in their homes because rents could be lowered making the homes more affordable. This will create affordable housing and prevent homelessness. 

No

State law would maintain current limits on rent control laws that cities and counties can apply. 

Against Argument: This will make the housing crisis worse because houses are hard to find right now. It undermines the strongest statewide rent control law in the nation, costs jobs, reduces home values, prevents new houses from being built, and eliminates homeowner protections. 

Prop 22- Passed

Yes 

App-based workers and delivery companies such as Uber, Lyft, Doordash can hire workers as independent contractors. Drivers can decide when, where, and how much work but would not get standard benefits and protections that businesses must provide employees. As of right now the drivers are independent contractors.

For Argument: Protects app-based drivers’ choice to be independent contractors and it saves rideshare, delivery services, and hundred of thousands of jobs. 

No

App-based workers and delivery companies can only hire drivers as employees. Drivers would have less choice about when, where, and how much to work, but would get standard benefits and protections that businesses must provide employees.

Against Argument: Stops billion dollar app companies from writing their own exemption to California law and profiting from it. It denies drivers the safety and protections that they deserve. 

Prop 23- Not Passed

Yes

Chronic dialysis clinics would be required to have a doctor on site during all patient treatment hours. 

For Argument: Improves staffing and safety at dialysis clinics by requiring a doctor during treatment. Stops discrimination based on an individual’s insurance. Combats poor hygiene in dialysis clinics. 

No

Chronic dialysis clinics would not be required to have a doctor on site during all patient treatment hours. 

Against Argument: This would force  many dialysis clinics in California to shut down and it would  lead to an increase in doctor shortages and  healthcare costs. 

Prop 24- Passed

Yes

Existing consumer data privacy laws and rights would be expanded. Businesses required to meet privacy requirements would change.

For Argument: This would strengthen privacy rights and it would be better for children because then their data would not be collected and it would hold companies accountable. 

No

Businesses would continue to be required to follow existing consumer data privacy laws. Consumers would continue to have existing data privacy rights. 

Against Argument: Forces workers to wait years to learn what confidential information employers collect on them, and makes it harder to stop technology giants from selling users’ information.

Prop 25- Not Passed

Yes

Citizens would not have to pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Individuals would either be released automatically or based on their assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court if released.

For Argument: Replaces money bail with a fairer, safer and less costly process. Bail is only based on affordability even if the person is innocent, and if they can’t make bail then they sit in jail until trial. 

No

Some people would continue to pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Other people could continue to be released without paying bail.

Against Argument: Takes away every Californian’s option to post bail and replace this right with a new discriminatory system of computer-generated profiling administered by government bureaucrats and costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars yearly.