CA Props Explained: 7 Initiatives You’ll Be Voting On

CALIFORNIA — As Tuesday’s deadline to vote in the midterms nears, Golden State voters are being asked to weigh in on everything from a constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights to dueling measures that would bring the multi-billion dollar sports betting industry to California.

The seven statewide ballot measures are the fewest California has seen in a single election in more than 100 years, according to CalMatters. However, voters could be forgiven for thinking there are more measures than ever on the ballot, thanks to the campaign ads flooding the airwaves and flyers filling up mailboxes.

With just days left until the election, there are signs that all that campaigning may not be helping the propositions’ proponents, however. The bulk of campaign spending on propositions this election cycle have gone into the campaigns for and against Prop. 26 and Prop. 27. According to the California Secretary of State, more than $556 million have gone into the campaigns — a political cage-match to decide if tribal casinos or online gaming giants control sports wagering in California. According to the polls, both measures are unpopular with voters.

According to a recent poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, there are two propositions well-positioned to pass. Roughly 69 percent of likely voters support Proposition 1, which would make reproductive freedom — including the right to abortion — protected under the state constitution.

The same poll shows majority support for Proposition 30, which would increase the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicate the revenue to zero-emission vehicle subsidies and infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gasses, and hiring and training firefighters to help combat wildfires.

SEE ALSO: CalMatters 2022 Voter Guide

Still trying to make heads or tails of California’s statewide ballot measures? Click on each measure to find out what it will do, who is for and against it and how much money has gone into the campaigns to support or defeat the propositions.

Prop 1: California's Abortion Rights Amendment Explained

This measure would codify the rights to abortions and birth control within California’s constitution.

Read more about it here.

Prop 26: CA's Tribal Legalized Sports Betting Measure Explained

California does not currently allow sports betting, but since the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to legalized sports wagering three years ago, California has become the jackpot for the gambling industry since it has the most professional and college teams in the nation in addition to the largest population and concentration of wealth.

Prop. 26 is a constitutional amendment that would allow it in tribal casinos and racetracks.
Read more about it here.

Prop 27: CA's Legalized Online Sports Betting Measure Explained

Prop. 26 seeks to allow it in tribal casinos only and racetracks while Prop. 27 is a constitutional amendment that would allow some tribes and gambling companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings to operate online or mobile sports betting outside of tribal lands. The dueling propositions present a political cage match between gambling entities battling for control over the future of the billion-dollar sports betting industry in California. Because both propositions are diametrically opposed, the passage of both would likely trigger legal battles.

Read more about it here.

Prop 28: CA's K-12 Art and Music Education Initiative Explained

Prop. 28 seeks to set aside funding every year for arts and music education in California’s K-12 public schools.

Read more about it here.

Prop 29: CA's Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative Explained

Prop. 29 would require clinics to have at least one physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant on site when patients are being treated and to report infections related to dialysis treatment.

Read more about it here.

Prop 30: CA's Clean Cars And Clean Air Act Explained

Prop. 30 would increase the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicate the revenue to zero-emission vehicle subsidies, building charging stations and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gasses and hiring and training firefighters to help combat wildfires.

Read more about it here.

Prop 31: CA’s Flavored Tobacco Ban Referendum Explained

A California law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products in stores and vending machines passed in 2020 but was placed on hold when a referendum initiated by the tobacco industry qualified for the 2022 ballot. Now, the issue is being put to the voters. Proposition 31 essentially asks voters: should the ban go into effect? A yes vote would uphold the ban. A no-vote would kill it.

Read more about it here.