Voter Engagement
Everything to Know About The California Proposition
The history of the California Proposition began on October 10, 1911 when the state took the initiative process and became the 10th state to abide by the principles of direct democracy. Three initiatives on the California ballot the next year, in 1912, were measures 6, 7 and 8 — to consolidate local governments, prohibit bookmaking, and set procedures for local taxation were all defeated, respectively.
In 1895 Dr. John Haynes helped found the California branch of the Direct Legislation League which was dedicated to winning the rights of initiative, referendum, and recall both statewide and in every local jurisdiction. From 1911 through November 2014, 364 initiatives have qualified for the statewide California ballot. Out of those 364 initiatives,voters have approved 123, an approval rate of 34 percent. From 1911 through November 2014, the California Constitution has been amended 52 times through the state’s initiative process (Ballotpedia.com)
The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the California Proposition was prepared by two students in the Political Science classes of California State University Long Beach Professor Som Chounlamountry. Tausifur Osmani and Vrinda Bhuta are on the Special Projects Team.
Vrinda Bhuta
Tausifur Osmani
Getting a California Proposition on the Ballot
Q: What does it take to get a California Proposition on the Ballot? Tell us a little about the process including who makes the final decision to put it on the ballot?
A: Ballot measures get on the ballot through various distinct routes.
- The California Proposition can get on the ballot through citizen-led petitions and initiatives. Supporters of the petitions are given 180 days from the State Attorney General providing them with a ballot title and a 30 day review period. The California Secretary of State advises that citizen-led petitions be signed by the end of April of the election year to ensure proper signature validation. In California, the amount of signatures required for ballot measures correlate to the total number of votes cast for the governor (also known as the gubernatorial vote); for constitutional amendments, eight percent of the gubernatorial vote (roughly about 585,407 signatures this year) is required for placing measures on the ballot. Placing a statute or veto on the ballot requires only five percent (about 365,880 signatures this year) of the gubernatorial vote. Furthermore, initiative measures must qualify 131 days before the next State election (please note these rules apply specifically to California ballot propositions).
- Another method by which measures can be on the ballot is through legislative referrals (Ballotpedia). The California legislature is allowed to refer Constitutional amendments and State statutes to the ballot; however, in legislative referrals, two-thirds of the legislature as well as a majority of the voters need to approve the measures in order for them to go into effect.
Money and the California Proposition
Q: How much money does it take to get one on the ballot? How much money does it cost to collect signatures?
A: It is estimated to cost this year’s ballot measure campaigns over $44 million to get all 15 initiatives and 2 referendums on the ballot. The cost per required signature (CPRS) varies according to the type of initiative (i.e. Proposition 52-which has to do with Healthcare-costs only $2.72 per signature while Proposition 64-which deals with marijuana-costs $5.72). The average CPRS for the 2016 ballot initiatives and referenda is around $6. 20.
Q: What will be the total amount of money spent on signature gathering and campaigning?
A: The Los Angeles Times estimated that, between funding signature gathering efforts and campaigning, more than $452 million will be spent directly on ballot measures in California in 2016. As of September 16, 2016, support and opposition campaigns had amassed over $365 million in contributions.
The California Proposition Getting the Biggest Money
Q: Which ballot measure is getting the most money?
A: By far and to date, the most controversial and expensive propositions are Proposition 52 and Proposition 61 .
- Proposition 52, pertaining to voter approval to divert hospital fee revenue dedicated to Medi-Cal, has amassed roughly $59.9 million in support contributions as well as $11.5 million from opposing contributions.
- Proposition 61, regarding drug price standards, has taken a more disapproving route with the opposing contributions approximately piling up to about $86.6 million and support campaign only investing to date $9.5 million.
More on the California Proposition
- How to Qualify an Initiative
- November 8 Ballot Measures
- History of Initiative and Referendum in California
- He Quickest Nonpartisan Voter Guide You’ll Find –
Get Educated About California’s State Propositions
