California General Election Ballot, November 8, 2016 - Candidate & Ballot Measure Voter Guide

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.

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Prop. 52 — Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal

Passed9,427,714 votes yes (70.1%)4,026,710 votes no (29.9%)

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.

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Prop. 53 — Public Vote on Revenue Bonds

Failed6,508,909 votes yes (49.4%)6,660,555 votes no (50.6%)

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.

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Prop. 54 — Changes to the Legislative Process

Passed8,607,266 votes yes (65.4%)4,559,903 votes no (34.6%)

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.

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Prop. 55 — Extend Tax on High Income

Passed8,594,273 votes yes (63.3%)4,988,329 votes no (36.7%)

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.

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Prop. 56 — Tobacco Tax

Passed8,980,448 votes yes (64.4%)4,957,994 votes no (35.6%)

This proposition increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine.

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Prop. 57 — Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures

Passed8,790,723 votes yes (64.5%)4,847,354 votes no (35.5%)

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.

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Prop. 58 — English Language Education

Passed9,994,454 votes yes (73.5%)3,598,855 votes no (26.5%)

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...

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Prop. 59 — Political Spending Advisory Question

Passed6,845,943 votes yes (53.2%)6,027,084 votes no (46.8%)

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...

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Prop. 60 — Condoms in Adult Films

Failed6,168,388 votes yes (46.3%)7,146,039 votes no (53.7%)

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.

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Prop. 61 — Prescription Drug Costs

Failed6,254,342 votes yes (46.8%)7,109,642 votes no (53.2%)

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.

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Prop. 62 — Repealing the Death Penalty

Failed6,361,788 votes yes (46.8%)7,218,625 votes no (53.2%)

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.

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Prop. 63 — Gun and Ammunition Sales

Passed8,663,159 votes yes (63.1%)5,070,772 votes no (36.9%)

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...

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Prop. 64 — Making Recreational Marijuana Legal

Passed7,979,041 votes yes (57.1%)5,987,020 votes no (42.9%)

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.

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Prop. 65 — Money from Carry-Out Bags

Failed6,222,547 votes yes (46.1%)7,276,478 votes no (53.9%)

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.

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Prop. 66 — Death Penalty Court Procedures

Passed6,626,159 votes yes (51.1%)6,333,731 votes no (48.9%)

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...

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Prop. 67 — Plastic Bag Ban

Passed7,228,900 votes yes (53.3%)6,340,322 votes no (46.7%)

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.

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County of Monterey

Measure X

Passed87,915 votes yes (67.71%)41,924 votes no (32.29%)

Shall the Transportation Agency for Monterey County fund a transportation safety and investment plan to: improve safety on local roads and highways; repair potholes; maintain streets and roads; reduce traffic congestion; improve transportation for seniors, young people, and people with disabilities;...

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Measure Y

Passed95,978 votes yes (73.68%)34,288 votes no (26.32%)

Measure Y Shall the ordinance imposing a tax on commercial marijuana businesses in the unincorporated area of Monterey County only (not cities) up to a maximum of: $25 per square foot on cultivation with an annual adjustment by Consumer Price Index (CPI) thereafter; $5 per square foot on nurseries with...

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Measure Z

Passed73,877 votes yes (56.07%)57,883 votes no (43.93%)

Shall an initiative amending the Monterey County General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and Fort Ord Master Plan to: (1) prohibit the use of land within the County's unincorporated (non-city) areas for hydraulic fracturing treatments ("fracking"), acid well stimulation treatments, and other well stimulation...

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City of Del Rey Oaks

Measure A

Passed736 votes yes (80.09%)183 votes no (19.91%)

To protect the quality of life in the City of Del Rey Oaks and to fund essential city services such as police and fire, city programs, basic infrastructure and facilities, shall an ordinance be adopted to impose a tax of no more than 10% (5% when enacted) on gross receipts of cannabis (marijuana) businesses...

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Measure B

Passed592 votes yes (64.84%)321 votes no (35.16%)

Shall an existing sales tax rate of one percent (1%), be extended for a period of not more than five (5) years, unless terminated sooner by the City Council, be adopted by the City of Del Rey Oaks, the proceeds of said tax to be utilized for general governmental purposes?

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City of Soledad

Measure F

Passed2,226 votes yes (61.44%)1,397 votes no (38.56%)

Shall Section 3.16.020 of Chapter 3.16 of the Soledad Municipal Code be amended to increase the existing transient occupancy tax, charged only to occupants of City hotels, from nine percent (9%) to twelve percent (12%), increasing the tax collected by an estimated $20,000 for a new estimated annual total...

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City of Monterey

Measure G

Passed6,201 votes yes (56.15%)4,843 votes no (43.85%)

To modernize the City's existing 5% telephone users tax for non-residential users, and existing 2% rate for residential users, and to maintain funding for such essential City services as police, fire, streets, libraries and parks, shall the tax be extended to include wireless, internet, and other modern...

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Measure H

Passed8,202 votes yes (73.86%)2,903 votes no (26.14%)

To simplify the City's existing business license tax and to fund essential City services such as police, fire, streets, libraries, and parks at current levels, shall the City amend the tax to assess rates equally amongst businesses regardless of function, imposing a minimum tax per business of $26 per...

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Measure I

Passed6,495 votes yes (61.38%)4,086 votes no (38.62%)

Shall the City of Monterey Charter be amended to: (1) disavow application of the California Public Contracts Code, (2) repeal requirements to competitively bid the construction of public improvements valued at $65,000 or more, and (3) delete provisions relating to emergency purchases and job order contracts,...

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City of King City

Measure J

Passed1,678 votes yes (79.26%)439 votes no (20.74%)

Shall a City of King Ordinance be adopted to tax lawful medical and nonmedical marijuana businesses at $25.00 per square foot for the first 5,000 square feet and $10.00 per square foot thereafter for cultivation; not to exceed $5.00 per square foot for nurseries; $30,000.00 each for manufacturing and...

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City of Salinas

Measure L

Passed27,454 votes yes (74.18%)9,557 votes no (25.82%)

Shall the ordinance imposing a tax on commercial cannabis businesses for medical and nonmedical marijuana where permissible by state and local law be adopted with the tax on cultivation activities not to exceed $25.00 per square foot and adjusted annually by a CPI and the tax rate on dispensaries, manufacturing,...

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City of Greenfield

Measure O

Passed1,977 votes yes (65.88%)1,024 votes no (34.12%)

Shall the City of Greenfield Municipal Code be amended to add a "Cannabis Business Tax" on cultivation, dispensaries, deliveries, distribution, manufacturing, nurseries, testing, and transportation of medical and nonmedical marijuana where legalized by state law; the cultivation tax shall not exceed...

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City of Pacific Grove

Measure P

Failed1,845 votes yes (22.91%)6,209 votes no (77.09%)

Shall Chapter 6.13 be added to the Pacific Grove Municipal Code to impose a five percent (5%) admission tax to enter or attend events or facilities within the City of Pacific Grove, including but not limited to attendance at an aquarium, sporting or athletic events, concerts, golf courses, marathons,...

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City of Marina

Measure U

Passed5,885 votes yes (82.91%)1,213 votes no (17.09%)

To provide general city services such as: street and facility maintenance and fire, police, youth and senior services; shall the City of Marina update its 38 year old business license tax rates to 0.2% of gross receipts, so small businesses pay lower amounts than larger businesses; generating approximately...

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Measure V

Passed4,056 votes yes (58.82%)2,840 votes no (41.18%)

Shall Section 1.04 be added to the Charter to provide for the direct election of the mayor to serve a term of four years, commencing with the 2018 general municipal election?

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City of Gonzales

Measure W

Passed1,439 votes yes (72.46%)547 votes no (27.54%)

Shall the City of Gonzales Municipal Code be amended to add a "Commercial Cannabis Tax" on cultivation and manufacturing of medical marijuana where permissible by state and local law? The cultivation tax will not exceed $25 per square foot subject to increases after the third year based on the consumer...

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Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District

Measure E

Passed39,085 votes yes (71.88%)15,293 votes no (28.12%)

To protect local open space, coastal lands, beaches, creeks, rivers, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty of our area; maintain/ improve neighborhood parks, trails, playgrounds; and increase recreational access to natural areas; shall Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District replace an expiring assessment,...

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Alisal Union School District

Measure M

Passed8,034 votes yes (73.22%)2,939 votes no (26.78%)

To repair/modernize neighborhood school classrooms, facilities, and technology infrastructure supporting programs in reading, math, science and arts; improve disabled student access; repair/replace fire safety, plumbing and electrical systems; with funding that cannot be taken by the State; shall Alisal...

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San Ardo Union Elementary School District

Measure N

Passed111 votes yes (74%)39 votes no (26%)

Measure N To renovate, upgrade, construct and rebuild aging classrooms and school facilities including deteriorating electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems; renovate restrooms; upgrade fire alarms; and install wiring to support modern technology, shall San Ardo Union Elementary School...

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Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District

Measure S — Special Parcel Tax to Finance Paramedic Services within the District

Failed670 votes yes (45.8%)793 votes no (54.2%)

Shall the Ordinance that imposes a special tax in an amount not-to-exceed $230 dollars per developed parcel per year, and generating estimated revenues of between $410,000 and $487,500 dollars annually, with no termination date, be adopted to fund engine-company based paramedic services within the District?

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Hartnell Community College District

Measure T

Passed49,353 votes yes (68.77%)22,416 votes no (31.23%)

To repair/upgrade classrooms, expand local access to higher education/ training for high-wage jobs, including nursing, agriculture, science, technology/ engineering, by upgrading aging classrooms, technology, science labs, repairing outdated, deteriorating mechanical/electrical systems, improving veterans'...

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Coalinga/Huron Unified School District

Measure R

Passed2,565 votes yes (65%)1,382 votes no (35%)

To improve the quality of education with funding that cannot be taken by the state; construct, renovate, and upgrade classrooms and school buildings; provide facilities for job training/career technical education; replace deteriorating plumbing and outdated HVAC systems; repair/replace leaky roofs; and...

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San Miguel Joint Union School District

Measure D-16

Passed1,281 votes yes (62.3%)774 votes no (37.7%)

To repair, improve and equip Lillian Larsen and Cappy Culver Schools including new classrooms for technology, science and vocational training, security fencing for improved student safety, and upgraded heating/air conditioning systems, shall San Miguel Joint Union School District be authorized to issue...

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Shandon Joint Unified School District

Measure K-16

Passed420 votes yes (73%)155 votes no (27%)

To repair leaky pipes, deteriorating septic systems, aging roofs and inefficient heating/air-conditioning; upgrade portable classrooms; install emergency communication systems and remove asbestos; and qualify for State matching funds at Shandon Elementary, Parkfield Elementary and Shandon High Schools;...

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Greenfield Union School District

Measure Q

Passed7,923 votes yes (79.52%)2,041 votes no (20.48%)

To build a new local elementary school to reduce overcrowding at existing Greenfield schools; repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems; improve school safety/security; and upgrade classrooms, labs, facilities, and instructional technology to support student achievement...

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