Voting Guide

Proposition 19

A YES vote on this measure means individuals age 21 or older could, under state law, possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. In addition, the state and local governments could authorize, regulate and tax commercial marijuana-related activitites under certain conditions. These activities would remain illegal under federal law.

A NO vote on this measure means the possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal use and commercial marijuana-related activities would remain illegal under state law, unless allowed under the state’s existing medical marijuana law.

Proposition 20

A YES vote on this measure means the responsibility to determine the boundaries of California’s districts in the U.S. House of Representatives would be moved to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, a commission established by Proposition 11 in 2008.

A NO vote on this measure means the responsibility to determine the boundaries of California’s districts in the U.S. House of Representatives would remain with the legislature.

Proposition 21

A YES vote on this measure means an $18 annual surcharge would be added to the amount paid when a person registers a motor vehicle. The surcharge revenues would be used to provide funding for state park and wildlife conservation programs. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would have free admission and parking at all state parks.

A NO vote on this measure means state park and wildlife conservation programs would continue to be funded through existing state and local funding sources.

Proposition 22

A YES vote on this measure means the state’s authority to use or redirect state fuel tax and local property tax revenues would be significantly restricted.

A NO vote on this measure means the state’s current authority over state fuel tax and local property tax revenues would not be affected.

Proposition 23

A YES vote on this measure means certain existing and proposed regulations authorized under state law Assembly Bill 32 to address global warming would be suspended. These regulations would remain suspended until the state unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or lower for one year.

A NO vote on this measure means the state could continue to implement the measures authorized under A.B. 32 to address global warming.

Proposition 24

A YES vote on this measure means three business tax provisions will return to what they were before 2008 and 2009 law changes. As a result, a business will be less able to deduct losses in one year against income in other years; a multistate business will have its California income determined by a calculation using three factors; and a business will not be able to share tax credits with related businesses.

A NO vote on this measure means three business tax provisions that were recently changed will not be affected.

Proposition 25

A YES vote on this measure means the legislature’s vote requirement to send the annual budget bill to the governor would be lowered from two-thirds to a majority of each house of the legislature.

A NO vote on this measure means the legislature’s vote requirement to send an annual budget bill to the governor would remain unchanged at two-thirds of each house of the legislature.

Proposition 26

A YES vote on this measure means the definition of taxes would be broadened to include many payments currently considered to be fees or charges. As a result, more state and local proposals to increase revenues would require approval by two-thirds of each house of the Legislature or by local voters.

A NO vote on this measure means current constitutional requirements regarding fees and taxes would not be changed.

Proposition 27

A YES vote on this measure means the responsibility to determine the boundaries of State Legislature and Board of Equalization districts would be returned to the Legislature. The Citizens Redistricting Commission, established by Proposition 11 in 2008 to perform this function, would be eliminated. (Proposition 20 on this ballot also concerns redistricting issues. If both Proposition 27 and Proposition 20 are approved by voters, the proposition receiving the greater number of yes votes would be the only one to go into effect.)

A NO vote on this measure means the responsibility to determine the boundaries of Legislature and Board of Equalization districts would remain with the Citizens Redistricting Commission.