November 2010 Election, California

Picks

Governor

Meg Whitman

Lieutenant Governor

Abel Maldonado

Secretary of State

Damon Dunn

Controller

Tony Strickland

Treasurer

Mimi Walters

Attorney General

Steve Cooley

Insurance Commissioner

Mike Villines

Superintendent of Public Instruction

United States Senate

Carly Fiorina

Other Officials

Attorney General

Steve Cooley

Republican

Kamala D. Harris

Democrat

Diane Beall Templin

American Independent

Peter Allen

Green

Timothy J. Hannan

Libertarian

Robert J. Evans

Peace and Freedom

Ballot Measures

Proposition 18

Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010

Bond Measure

Proposition 19

Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Allow It to Be Regulated and Taxed.

Initiative Statute

Proponents: Richard Seib Lee and Jeffrey Wayne Jones (510) 208-4554

Allows people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old. Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax, fee, and benefit assessment revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products.

Proposition 20

Redistricting of Congressional Districts.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment

Proponent: Charles T. Munger, Jr. (See also: A related letter written by Munger) votersfirstactforcongress@gmail.com

Removes elected representatives from the process of establishing congressional districts and transfers that authority to the recently-authorized 14-member redistricting commission. Redistricting commission is comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four voters registered with neither party. Requires that any newly-proposed district lines be approved by nine commissioners including three Democrats, three Republicans, and three from neither party. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Probably no significant change in state redistricting costs.

Proposition 21

Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants Free Admission to All State Parks to Surcharged Vehicles.

Initiative Statute

Proponent: Joseph L. Caves (916) 558-1516

Establishes an $18 annual state vehicle license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles. Requires deposit of surcharge revenue in a new trust fund. Requires that trust funds be used solely to operate, maintain and repair the state park system, and to protect wildlife and natural resources. Exempts commercial vehicles, trailers and trailer coaches from the surcharge. Requires annual independent audit and review by citizen's oversight committee. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased state revenues of about $500 million annually from the imposition of a surcharge on the VLF to be used mainly to fund state parks and wildlife conservation programs. Potential state savings of up to approximately $200 million annually to the extent that the VLF surcharge revenues were used to reduce support from the General Fund and other special funds for parks and wildlife conservation programs. Reduction of about $50 million annually in state and local revenues from state park day-use fees. These revenue losses could potentially be offset by increases in other types of state park user fees and revenues.

Proposition 22

Prohibits the State from Taking Funds Used for Transportation or Local Government Projects and Services.

Proposition 23

Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year.

Proposition 24

Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation to Lower Taxable Income.

Proposition 25

Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes.

Proposition 26

Increases Legislative Vote Requirement to Two-Thirds for State Levies and Charges. Imposes Additional Requirement for Voters to Approve Local Levies and Charges with Limited Exceptions.

Proposition 27

Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives.

External Resources

• November 2, 2010, General Election - CA Secretary of State
• Election Results - June 8, 2010, Statewide Direct Primary - CA Secretary of State