Ballot: Overview —November 8, 2016 —California General Election
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State of California
Prop. 51 — Bonds for School Facilities
Authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for new construction and modernization of K-12 public school facilities; charter schools and vocational education facilities; and California Community Colleges facilities.
Learn MoreProp. 52 — Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal
This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It extends indefinitely an existing statute that imposes fees on hospitals to fund Medi-Cal health care services, care for uninsured patients, and children’s health coverage.
Learn MoreProp. 53 — Public Vote on Revenue Bonds
Requires statewide voter approval before any revenue bonds can be issued or sold by the state for certain projects if the bond amount exceeds $2 billion.
Learn MoreProp. 54 — Changes to the Legislative Process
This proposition prohibits the Legislature from passing any bill unless published on the Internet for 72 hours before a vote; requires the Legislature to record its proceedings and post them on the Internet; and it authorizes the use of recordings.
Learn MoreProp. 55 — Extend Tax on High Income
Extends by twelve years the temporary personal income tax increases enacted in 2012 on earnings over $250,000, with revenues allocated to K-12 schools, California Community Colleges, and, in certain years, healthcare.
Learn MoreProp. 56 — Tobacco Tax
This proposition increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine.
Learn MoreProp. 57 — Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures
This proposition is both an Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. It allows parole consideration for nonviolent felons; authorizes sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior, and education; and provides that a juvenile court judge decides whether a juvenile will be prosecuted as adult.
Learn MoreProp. 58 — English Language Education
Preserves requirement that public schools ensure students obtain English language proficiency. Requires school districts to solicit parent/community input in developing language acquisition programs. Requires instruction to ensure English acquisition as rapidly and effectively as possible. Authorizes...
Learn MoreProp. 59 — Political Spending Advisory Question
Asks whether California’s elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political...
Learn MoreProp. 60 — Condoms in Adult Films
Requires adult film performers to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse. Requires producers to pay for performer vaccinations, testing, and medical examinations. Requires producers to post condom requirement at film sites.
Learn MoreProp. 61 — Prescription Drug Costs
Prohibits state from buying any prescription drug from a drug manufacturer at price over lowest price paid for the drug by United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Exempts managed care programs funded through Medi-Cal.
Learn MoreProp. 62 — Repealing the Death Penalty
Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to existing death sentences. Increases the portion of life inmates’ wages that may be applied to victim restitution.
Learn MoreProp. 63 — Gun and Ammunition Sales
Requires background check and Department of Justice authorization to purchase ammunition. Prohibits possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. Establishes procedures for enforcing laws prohibiting firearm possession by specified persons. Requires Department of Justice’s participation in federal...
Learn MoreProp. 64 — Making Recreational Marijuana Legal
Legalizes marijuana under state law, for use by adults 21 or older. Imposes state taxes on sales and cultivation. Provides for industry licensing and establishes standards for marijuana products. Allows local regulation and taxation.
Learn MoreProp. 65 — Money from Carry-Out Bags
Redirects money collected by grocery and certain other retail stores through mandated sale of carryout bags. Requires stores to deposit bag sale proceeds into a special fund to support specified environmental projects.
Learn MoreProp. 66 — Death Penalty Court Procedures
Changes procedures governing state court challenges to death sentences. Designates superior court for initial petitions and limits successive petitions. Requires appointed attorneys who take noncapital appeals to accept death penalty appeals. Exempts prison officials from existing regulation process...
Learn MoreProp. 67 — Plastic Bag Ban
A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers single-use plastic or paper carryout bags but permits sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags.
Learn MoreAlameda County
Measure A1
To provide affordable local housing and prevent displacement of vulnerable populations, including low- and moderate-income households, veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities; provide supportive housing for homeless people countywide; and help low- and middle-income households purchase homes...
Learn MoreCity of Berkeley
Measure AA — Amend the rent stabilization ordinance to affect owner move-in evictions
Shall an ordinance amending the Rent Stabilization Ordinance to: prohibit owner move-in evictions of families with children during the academic year; increase the amount of relocation assistance required for owner move-in evictions to $15,000 with additional $5,000 for certain tenants; clarify protections...
Learn MoreMeasure BB — An ordinance to increase the minimum wage, sponsored by the City
Shall an ordinance: (1) amending the City's existing minimum wage ordinance to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all employees in the City of Berkeley by October 1, 2019, and thereafter by the CPI, with exemptions for youth in job training programs and a $1.50 health benefit credit; (2) requiring...
Learn MoreMeasure CC — Initiative measure on increasing the minimum wage
Shall an ordinance: increasing the City's existing minimum wage to $15 per hour on October 1, 2017, with annual increases based on the CPI + 3% beginning January 1, 2019 until it reaches $16.37 per hour in 2016 dollars, and thereafter based on the CPI; eliminating exemptions for youth in job training...
Learn MoreMeasure DD — Increasing the tax on gross receipts for landlords
Shall an ordinance permanently increasing the gross receipts tax on owners of three or more residential rental units from 1.081% to 1.5%, prohibiting landlords from passing the tax on to sitting tenants except as allowed by law, and authorizing the Council to create a citizen panel to make recommendations...
Learn MoreMeasure T1 — Bond measure to raise funds for improving City infrastructure
Shall the City of Berkeley issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $100,000,000 to repair, renovate, replace, or reconstruct the City's aging infrastructure and facilities, including sidewalks, storm drains, parks, streets, senior and recreation centers, and other important City facilities and buildings?
Financial...
Learn MoreMeasure U1 — Proposed gross receipts tax increase for landlords
Shall an ordinance permanently increasing the gross receipts tax on owners of five or more residential rental units be increased from 1.081% to 2.880%, prohibiting landlords from passing the tax on to sitting tenants, and directing the Housing Advisory Commission to make recommendations on funding and...
Learn MoreMeasure V1 — Increasing the GANN appropriation limit to permit expenditure of tax revenues already approved
Shall the City's appropriation limit under Article XIIIB of the California Constitution be increased to allow expenditure of the proceeds of City taxes and income from the investment of those taxes for fiscal years 2017 through 2020?
Financial Implications: This measure would not increase taxes or impose...
Learn MoreMeasure W1 — How the boundaries of the City Council districts will be drawn
Shall the Charter of the City of Berkeley be amended to provide that the council district redistricting that occurs every ten years after the federal census shall be conducted by a citizens redistricting commission that is independent of the City Council?
Learn MoreMeasure X1 — Changing the rules for financing local elections
Shall a City Charter amendment and ordinance to allocate approximately $500,000 annually from the General Fund, not to exceed $2,000,000 over any four years, to provide those candidates for Mayor and Council who only accept contributions of $50 or less per donor with a matching payment of six times the...
Learn MoreMeasure Y1 — Lowering the voting age for local School Director races
Shall the City of Berkeley Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to allow persons aged 16 and 17 years old who would otherwise be eligible to vote, to vote for the office of School Director, provided no City funds could be used for any related expenses, such voting is technically workable...
Learn MoreMeasure Z1 — Authorizing the City to pursue more affordable housing
Shall any federal, state or local public entity be empowered to develop, construct or acquire an additional 500 units of low-rent housing in the City of Berkeley for persons of low income?
Learn MoreCity of Hayward
Measure EE
To assure local control and close on-going deficits, shall the City of Hayward be authorized to enact a general tax ordinance not exceeding 15% of gross sales for all products associated with medical or adult use of cannabis, from cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, and retailing of cannabis or...
Learn MoreCity of Livermore
Measure FF
Shall the ordinance affirming and readopting the open space designation "OSP Parks, Trail Ways, Recreation Corridors and Protected Areas" in Land Use Element for the 2003-2025 City of Livermore General Plan for the Springtown Golf Course, except for the Springtown Library and the Springtown...
Learn MoreCity of Newark
Measure GG
To upgrade City of Newark facilities and services, including replacing the seismically unsafe police operations/emergency operations center to survive an earthquake; providing updated crime-fighting technology; replacing aging library/city facilities with buildings meeting safety codes; providing disabled...
Learn MoreCity of Oakland
Measure II
Shall the Charter of the City of Oakland be amended to Increase the Maximum Lease Term of City-Owned Real Property From Sixty-Six Years To Ninety-Nine Years?
Learn MoreMeasure JJ
Shall Oakland's Just Cause For Eviction and Rent Adjustment Ordinances be amended by: (1) extending just-cause eviction requirements from residential rental units offered for rent on or before October 14, 1980 to those approved for occupancy before December 31, 1995; and (2) requiring landlords to request...
Learn MoreMeasure KK
To improve public safety and invest in neighborhoods throughout Oakland by re-paving streets to remove potholes, rebuilding cracked and deteriorating sidewalks, funding bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, funding affordable housing for Oaklanders, and providing funds for facility improvements,...
Learn MoreMeasure LL
Shall Oakland's City Charter be amended to establish: (1) a Police Commission of civilian commissioners to oversee the Police Department by reviewing and proposing changes to Department policies and procedures, requiring the Mayor to appoint any new Chief of Police from a list of candidates provided...
Learn MoreMeasure HH
Shall the City of Oakland impose a 1 cent per ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages, including products such as sodas, sports drinks, sweetened teas, energy drinks, but exempting: milk products, 100% juice, baby formula, diet drinks, or drinks taken for medical reasons;...
Learn MoreCity of Alameda
Measure K1 — Reaffirming Utility transfer to General Fund and Amending Utility Users Tax Ordinance
To maintain funding for essential services, such as police, fire, parks and libraries, without raising tax rates or electric charges, shall the City of Alameda amend its Charter to reaffirm the continuous annual transfer of approximately $3.7 million from Alameda Municipal Power to the City, adjust future...
Learn MoreMeasure L1 — Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance
Shall the voters adopt the City's March 31, 2016 Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which (a) limits residential rent increases to once annually, (b) requires mediation for all residential rent increases above 5%, including binding decisions on rent increases for most rental units, (c) restricts reasons for...
Learn MoreMeasure M1 — THE ALAMEDA RENTER PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY STABILIZATION CHARTER AMENDMENT
Shall the City Charter be amended to (a) limit annual residential rent increases for certain units to 65% of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, (b) create an elected Rent Control Board separate from the City with authority to hire staff, impose fees on landlords for program funding...
Learn MoreCity of Pleasanton
Measure MM
Shall the ordinance proposing to amend the City of Pleasanton's General Plan to prohibit retail uses of 50,000 square feet or greater, larger scale retail and club retail, in the Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone be adopted?
Learn MoreCity of Albany
Measure N1 — Ordinance to make changes in residential parking requirements
Shall an ordinance authorizing the Albany City Council to amend the residential parking requirements established by Measure D (enacted by the Albany voters in 1978), after following the normal procedures for amending City Zoning Ordinances, be adopted?
Learn MoreMeasure O1
Shall an ordinance enacting a one cent per ounce general tax, providing approximately $223,000 annually with no expiration date, on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages and sweeteners used to sweeten such drinks, but exempting: (1) sweeteners typically used by consumers and distributed to grocery...
Learn MoreMeasure P1 — Adding a parcel tax to raise money for repairing sidewalks
To repair and upgrade aging and deteriorating public sidewalks and remove obstructions so that Albany sidewalks are safe and accessible by pedestrians, including people with disabilities that affect mobility, shall the City of Albany enact a special parcel tax ($38.65 annually for most single-family...
Learn MoreMeasure Q1 — Miscellaneous amendments to the city charter
Shall the Albany City Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to establish procedures for filling a vacancy in an elective office by appointment, permit quarterly meetings of the Police and Fire Pension Board and change eligibility requirements for Board members, authorize the City Council to...
Learn MoreMeasure R1
Shall the Albany City Charter be amended to dissolve the City's Civil Service Board and to add a definition for the term "classified service"?
Learn MoreMeasure S1 — Removing term limits for the Albany School Board
Shall the Albany City Charter be amended to remove term limits for the Albany Unified School District School Board of Education Members, this provision to take effect on January 1, 2023?
Learn MoreCity of San Leandro
Measure NN
To maintain and enhance the City of San Leandro, with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including: social services, public art, programs that celebrate diversity, multilingual programming and other general city services, shall the City of San Leandro levy an ongoing tax of up to10% of gross...
Learn MoreMeasure OO
To maintain and enhance the City of San Leandro, with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including: enhancing City infrastructure and general City services, shall the City of San Leandro modify the ongoing business license tax to reduce taxes for small businesses, charge 10 percent of gross...
Learn MoreMeasure PP
To maintain and enhance the City of San Leandro, with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including: enhancing library programming for children, more space for books, reference materials and public access computers, enhancing parks and infrastructure, and other general City services, shall the...
Learn MoreCity of Union City
Measure QQ — Extend, voter approved local funding to maintain public safety services
To maintain essential police/ fire services, including maintaining 911 emergency response times, paramedic services /neighborhood police patrols; keeping fire stations open /maintaining fire prevention services; enhancing public school safety; and maintaining youth violence prevention/gang intervention...
Learn MoreAlameda Unified School District
Measure B1
To maintain high-quality Alameda schools by protecting small class sizes; core academic, art, music, science, innovative, and athletic programs; neighborhood schools; and retaining excellent teachers; shall Alameda Unified School District continue for seven years, without increase, its existing parcel...
Learn MoreAlameda-Contra Costa Transit District Special District 1
Measure C1
To preserve essential local public transportation services, including those for youth, commuters, seniors, and people with disabilities, while keeping fares reasonable, shall the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District extend its existing 8 dollars per month parcel tax at current levels for 20 years with...
Learn MoreBerkeley Unified School District
Measure E1 — Education
To support high quality public education and fund class size reduction, school libraries, teacher training, student support, music programs, instructional technology, and other designated purposes, shall the Berkeley Unified School District replace its expiring special tax with an annual tax at 37¢/square...
Learn MoreHayward Area Recreation and Park District
Measure F1
To update, repair and maintain local parks, shall Hayward Area Recreation and Park District improve the quality/safety of neighborhood parks, improve/maintain park bathrooms/overall facility cleanliness, enhance senior/community centers, maintain existing local parks' children's playgrounds/recreation...
Learn MoreOakland Unified School District
Measure G1
To provide a district-wide educator salary increase designed to attract/retain teachers; provide enhanced middle school art, music, languages/other programs in addition to core educational programs; improve academic achievement; provide safe, positive schools,and prepare students for college/careers;...
Learn MorePiedmont Unified School District
Measure H1
To improve educational facilities and equipment to support advanced courses in math, science, engineering, arts and technology; repair and modernize aging science labs and classrooms at the high school and middle school; repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical systems;...
Learn MorePleasanton Unified School District
Measure I1
To repair and upgrade aging classrooms and facilities at local schools; provide 21st-century learning technology and facilities; improve school safety and security; update science labs; improve energy and water efficiency; renovate, construct, and acquire classrooms, equipment and facilities; and construct...
Learn MoreSan Leandro Unified School District
Measure J1
To repair leaky roofs, faulty plumbing and electrical systems; improve heating and ventilation; improve student safety by upgrading security lighting, emergency communications, fire alarms and sprinklers; upgrade classrooms, libraries and science labs; replace deteriorating portables; and provide facilities...
Learn MoreSan Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Measure RR
To keep BART safe; prevent accidents/breakdowns/delays; relieve overcrowding; reduce traffic congestion/pollution; improve earthquake safety and access for seniors/disabled by replacing and upgrading 90 miles of severely worn tracks; tunnels damaged by water intrusion; 44-year-old train control systems;...
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