Propositions or ballot measures are laws that are decided on directly by voters instead of elected legislators. In November 2022, there are 7 Propositions at the state level:
- 1: Right to reproductive freedom and right to an abortion
- 26: Legalize sports betting at casinos
- 27: Legalize sports betting online
- 28: Designate a portion of school budget to the arts
- 29: Regulate the dialysis industry
- 30: Tax income above $2 million to subsidize electric cars
- 31: Keep banning flavored tobacco
Prop 1: Right to Reproductive Freedom and Right to an Abortion
The Proposition amends California’s State Constitution to establish a right to reproductive freedom, which is defined to include a right to an abortion and to choose or refuse contraceptives.
Abortion is currently legal in California. Prop. 1 is a response from California’s legislators to the Supreme Court decision in June that overruled Roe v. Wade and opened the door for conservative states to start banning abortion. The proposition would show a model legal language for other states to emulate when introducing laws to protect reproductive rights.
Key Supporters
- Governor Gavin Newsom
- Planned Parenthood
Key Opponents
- Republican Party
- Conference of Catholic Bishops
Prop 26: Legalize Sports Betting in Casinos
Currently, gambling money betting on the outcome of a sports match (like basketball or football) is illegal in California. It is legal in many other states since 2018.
Prop 26 legalizes placing bets in person at casinos. Prop 26 is supported and funded by casino companies, which are mostly operated by American Indian tribes.
Key Supporters
- American Indian Tribes
- San Diego Police Officers Association
- 26 Regional Chambers of Commerce
- California Young Democrats
Key Opponents
- Orange County Register
- 7 Casino companies
- 21 Regional Chambers of Commerce
- Republican Party
Prop 27: Legalize Sports Betting Online
Currently, gambling money betting on the outcome of a sports match (like basketball or football) is illegal in California. It is legal in many other states since 2018.
Prop 27 legalizes placing bets through online gambling websites and smartphone apps.
Key Supporters
- seven online betting corporations (Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN/Barstool, WynnBET)
- Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia
- Major League Baseball
Key Opponents
- American Indian Tribes
- 33 Regional Chambers of Commerce
- California Teachers Association
- Republican Party
- Democratic Party
Prop 28: Designate a School Budget for the Arts
Prop 28 increases public and charter schools’ budget by 1% ($1 billion a year) and designates it towards arts education. The funds come from the existing state budget.
Key Supporters
- California Teachers Association
- Los Angeles Unified School District
Key Opponents
- The Mercury News and East Bay Times Editorial Board
Prop 29: Regulate the Dialysis Industry
If a person’s kidneys stop working, they may need a special treatment called dialysis. In California, dialysis is usually provided by licensed dialysis clinics. A patient’s personal doctor must visit them at least once per month during treatment at a dialysis clinic. Dialysis treatment is paid for by Medicare, Medi-Cal and private insurance. Private insurance pays more money for treatment than Medicare and Medi-Cal.
With Prop 29, clinics would have to have at least a doctor, nurse or assistant on site during treatment. They would also report any dialysis-related infections to the state, and seek permission from the state before closing or reducing services. Clinics could not discriminate against clients based on their insurance or how they are paying for their treatment.
Key Supporters
- health care worker’s union (SEIU-UHWW)
Key Opponents
- the dialysis industry (DaVita, Fresenius), Republican Party
Prop 30: Tax Income over $2M for Electric Cars
Prop 30 will spend $4 billion a year into subsidizing electric vehicles. (Purchase of electric vehicles, charging stations, and other related infrastructure.) 20% of the fund would be spent towards preparing for forest wildfires. The fund for this would come exclusively from taxing people who earn over $2 million a year. The state tax for this tax bracket would increase from the current 13.3% to 15.5%. The program and the taxes expire in 2043.
Key Supporters
- Lyft
- California State Association of Electrical Workers
- Democratic Party
Key Opponents
- Governor Gavin Newsom
- California Teachers Association
- Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
Prop 31: Keep Banning Flavored Tobacco
Flavored tobacco was banned in California in 2020. Prop 31 makes voters approve or reject this tobacco ban law. A Yes vote means that the ban is approved. A No vote means that the ban is repealed.
Key Supporters
- Governor Gavin Newsom
- California Teachers Association
Key Opponents
- the tobacco industry (ITG Brands, Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Swedish Match)
- Republican Party