Propositions on November 5
Propositions or ballot measures are laws that are decided on directly by voters instead of elected legislators. In November 2024, there are 10 Propositions at the state level:
Prop 2: Education bond
Prop 2 borrows $10 billion in bonds for renovation and construction work at public TK-12 schools and community colleges.
Key Supporters
- School Districts and School Board Associations
- Governor Gavin Newsom
Key Opponents
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Prop 3: Gay marriage
Prop 3 updates California’s Constitution, affirming marriage as a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
The current Constitution includes language from 2008 which restricted marriage to be only between a man and a woman, although it was soon ruled invalid by the Supreme Court. Prop 3 would remove this language.
Key Supporters
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- Equality California
- Governor Gavin Newsom
Key Opponents
- California Capitol Connection
- California Family Council
- Freedom in Action
Prop 4: Climate bond
Prop 4 borrows $10 billion in bonds for environmental projects, including securing drinking water, wildfire protection, and response to the rising sea levels.
Key Supporters
- Sierra Club and environmental groups
Key Opponents
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Prop 5: Local housing and road bonds
Prop 5 makes it easier to borrow money for affordable housing and roads, in the form of bonds.
Currently, for a city to borrow bonds, two-thirds of voters (almost 67%) must vote in support of it to allow it. With Prop 5, this process would require 55% of voter support instead. It would apply to cities and counties for bonds that are meant for affordable housing, roads, and other infrastructure projects.
Key Supporters
- Labor unions, including the State Building and Construction Trades Council
- League of Women Voters
Key Opponents
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
- California Association of Realtors
Prop 6: Ending forced prison labor
Currently, prison inmates are required to work in prisons. Prop 6 removes involuntary servitude from the constitution, making work in prisons optional.
Key Supporters
- ACLU of California
Key Opponents
- None on record
Prop 32: Increase minimum wage to $18
Prop 32 increases the minimum wage to $18 an hour, which is equivalent to $37,000 per year. The current minimum is $16 and was set in 2016.
Workers at grocery and retail stores, school staff and child-care providers are among people usually paid the minimum wage.
Key Supporters
- Joe Sanberg, a founder of multiple companies
Key Opponents
- California Business Roundtable
Prop 33: Rent control expansion
Prop 33 allows city and county governments to change local laws to apply rent control in single-family homes and apartments that are less than 30 years old. Currently, rent control cannot be applied on single-family homes and 30-year old apartments.
Key Supporters
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation
- UNITE-HERE Local 11, a hotel workers union
Key Opponents
- California Apartment Association
- California Business Roundtable
Prop 34: Regulate the LA AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Prop 34 forces the AIDS Healthcare Foundation of Los Angeles to spend its revenue only on healthcare, and not campaigns for rent control. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has put $60 million in support of rent control propositions in past years.
Key Supporters
- California Apartment Association
Key Opponents
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Prop 35: Taxing health insurance companies
Prop 35 taxes some health insurance companies, such as Anthem Blue Cross or L.A. Care, also known as Managed Care Organizations. The tax would be used towards administrative costs of the Medi-Cal program.
Key Supporters
- Medical and Hospital Associations
Key Opponents
- None on record
Prop 36: Harsher penalties for drugs and theft
Prop 36 sets harsher penalties for repeat theft and drug possession or distribution.
Key Supporters
- California District Attorneys Association
- Walmart
- California Business Roundtable
Key Opponents
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- Governor Gavin Newsom
