On Nov. 5, 2024, voters across the country decided the future of the 50 states. The propositions included on the California ballot focused on expanding affordable housing and healthcare, enhancing environmental protections and addressing public safety.
Proposition Four, voted yes by 59.6% of voters, will authorize 10 billion federal dollars towards building and repairing facilities at K-12 schools and community colleges, as well as towards bonds for water, wildfire prevention and land protection.
In communities across California, Proposition Two, voted yes by 58.5%, will allow frequent repairs and upgrades to outdated public schools and community colleges. This will create a higher standard in schools to meet basic health and safety standards, and draw in a higher quality of instructors.
Proposition Three is a direct repeal of Proposition Eight, which previously instituted a ban on same-sex marriage. With 62.6% voting yes, Proposition Three will now declare marriage a fundamental right regardless of race or gender. This proposition will amend the state’s constitution.
“This ballot measure comes at a pivotal moment when the [United States] Supreme Court has made clear its willingness to revoke hard-won rights, endangering the freedoms of millions of Californians,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California said. Voted no by 55.2% of voters, Proposition Five would have lowered the vote needed to approve bonds for housing and infrastructure — from a two-thirds majority vote to 55% — making it easier for local governments to raise property taxes. By voting against this proposition, California’s government will approve housing bonds for low and middle income residents, which will support affordable housing and public infrastructure.
Additionally, Proposition 33 would have made it easier for counties to limit the amount of rent that a landlord can charge. Although it failed to pass with 60.2% of voters voting no, this proposition would have allowed governments to expand rent limits.
With voters prioritizing public health and climate action, the propositions passed during this voting cycle have set the stage for California to lead the way in progressive policy reform.
