California General Election 2008
A brief overview of propositions on the November 2008 ballot in California. The links will direct you to sources in the official Voter Information Guide, as well as to lists of endorsements and opponents for each proposition.
See also: Find Your Congressional Representative | Bay Area Polling Places
NOVEMBER 4 BALLOT INFORMATION - PROPOSITIONS
Proposition 1A: Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act
Replaced Prop 1
Summary: Provides for bond issue of $9.95 billion to establish high-speed train service linking Southern California counties, Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area.
- For: Yes on Prop 1A
See List of Endorsements - Against: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assoc
Proposition 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals
Summary: Addresses issues with as veal calves, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs -- mandating that animals be allowed to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely -- with exceptions made for transporation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes.
- For: Yes on Prop 2 - Californians for Humane Farms - www.YesOnProp2.org
See Full List of Endorsements - Against: Californians for SAFE Food - www.safecaliforniafood.org
See Members of Californians for SAFE Food
Proposition 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act
Summary: Authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds to be repaid from state's General Fund, to fund construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and quipping of children's hospitals.
- For: California Children's Hospital Association - www.imaginewithus.org
See Full list of Endorsements - Against: National Tax Limitation Committee - www.limittaxes.org
See Information about the organization
Proposition 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy
Summary: Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent or legal guardian.
- For:Yes on 4 - www.yeson4.net
See Information on supporters of Yes on 4 - Against: Vote No On Prop 4 -
See Full list of endorsements
Proposition 5: Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentences, Parol and Rehabilitation
Summary: Allocates $460,000,000 annually to improve and expand treatment programs for persons convicted of drug and other offenses. Shortens parole for certain drug offenses and increases parole for serious and violent felonies.
- For: Yes on Prop 5 - www.prop5yes.com
See Full list of endorsements - Against: People Against Proposition 5 - noonproposition5.com
See Full list of opponents
Proposition 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding, Criminal Penalties and Laws
Summary: Requires minimum of $965,000,000 of state funding each year for police and local law enforcement. Makes approximately 30 revisions to California criminal law.
- For: Yes on Prop 6/Safe Neighborhoods Act - www.safeneighborhoodsact.com
See Full list of endorsements - Against: No On 6 - www.votenoprop6.com
See Members of the No On 6 coalition
Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation
Summary: Requires government-owned utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2010, a standard currently applicable to private electrical corporations.
- For: Californians for Solar and Clean Energy - www.yeson7.net
See Full list of endorsements - Against: Californians Against Another Costly Energy Scheme - www.noprop7.com
See Full list of opponents to Prop 7
Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
Summary: Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.
- For: Yes on 8 -
See Full list of endorsements - Against: Vote No On Prop 8 - www.noonprop8.com
See Full list of opponents to Prop 8
Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System, Victims' Rights, Parole
Summary: Requires notification to victim and opportunity for input during phases of criminal justice process, including bail, pleas, sentencing and parole. Establishes victim safety as consideration for bail or parole.
- For: Randle Communications - Yesonprop9@gmail.com
- Against: No on 9 - www.votenoprop9.com
See Full list of opponents to Prop 9
Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Summary: Authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund, to help consumers and others purchase certain vehicles, and to fund research in renewable energy and alternative fuel vehicles.
- For: Californians for Energy Independence - www.prop10yes.com
- Against: Consumer Federation of California - www.votenoonprop10.com
Proposition 11: Redistricting
Summary: Changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Establishes multilevel process to select commissioners from registered voter pool. Commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party.
- For: Yes on Prop 11 - www.yesprop11.com
See Full list of endorsements - Against: No on Prop 11 - www.noonprop11.com
See Full list of opponents to Prop 11
Proposition 12: Veterans' Bond Act of 2008
Summary: Provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million dollars ($900,000,000) to provide farm and home aid for California veterans.
- For: JP Tremblay or Jerry Jones/California Department of Veterans Affairs - www.cdva.ca.gov
- Against: Gary Wesley, Attorney at Law - gwesley00@yahoo.com