election

New "Top Two" Election System Causes Problems For Smaller Political Parties

Joe Moore — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:09:54 +0000

Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series on the impact of California's new top-two election reform.

When California voters approved Proposition 14 in 2010, supporters hailed it as a way to make many races for Congress, the Legislature and state offices more competitive, thanks to a new top-two election system.

Electoral Reforms Led to More Close Races, Experts Say

Joe Moore — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:02:46 +0000

Now that the dust has settled after this month's general election, political observers from across the state are busy examining the results to see just what effect California's efforts at redistricting and electoral reform had in their first full test at the ballot box. Valley Public Radio's Joe Moore reports that in same cases, the result is too close to call.

For most California voters, the trip to the ballot box this November looked much like it always has, albeit with longer lines at some polling places and a record number of "vote by mail" ballots.

Fresno County Voters Approve Library Tax Renewal, While Measure O Trails

Joe Moore — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:55:20 +0000

A sales tax that for over a decade has helped fund much of the budget for the Fresno County Public Library system appears to be headed to approval.

While some absentee ballots remain to be counted, Measure B holds a lead of 72-percent to 28-percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. That's well above the two-thirds vote required for passage.

Proposition 38: Molly Munger's Tax Initative

Amy Quinton — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:34:13 +0000

Californians will soon decide whether they want to increase taxes to support public schools. Our election 2012 coverage continues with a report on Proposition 38.

If you watch TV in California, you’ve probably seen the commercials. They’ve aired in every major market.

Prop 38 would raise about 10 billion dollars a year for K-12 schools starting in 2013, by taxing all but the poorest Californians. Behind the TV ads and Proposition 38 is wealthy civil rights attorney Molly Munger.

Proposition 37: Genetically Modified Foods

Kathleen Masterson — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:18:34 +0000

In November Californians will decide whether to require that foods containing genetically engineered ingredients say so on the package. On its face Proposition 37 seems like a simple addition to a label, but it could have much broader ramifications.

Stacy Malkan with the group supporting Prop 37 says consumers have the right to know what's in the food they're eating.

Proposition 36: Changes to 'Three Strikes' Law

Bob Moffit — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:44:49 +0000

A challenge to California’s “Three Strikes” sentencing law is on the ballot this fall with Proposition 36. Proponents say some felonies should not result in life in prison. Opponents say a change in the law would allow dangerous criminals to be released.

The proposition lists felonies that would qualify as a serious or violent crime - or 'strike' - and would make a defendant eligible for a life sentence.

Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal

Steve Milne — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:29:49 +0000

Our series on the initiatives Californians will be voting on next month continues with a look at Proposition 34, which would repeal the death penalty.

Both sides of the capital punishment debate actually see eye to eye on one thing – the current system isn’t working.

“We haven’t put somebody to death in six years. It is simply a broken system that’s wasted $4 billion or $5 billion," says Steve Smith with the Yes on 34 campaign.

Proposition 33: Auto Insurance Premiums

Steve Milne — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:00:20 +0000

We continue our look at next month’s California election ballot with Proposition 33. It would change state laws on auto insurance premiums.

If you’ve been with the same car insurance company for five-straight years or more, you’re probably getting some type of “continuous coverage” discount. But let’s say you wanted to switch to a different company. Right now in California, you can’t take that discount with you.

“Prop 33 would allow consumers to shop that discount to competing carriers," says Rachel Hooper, who is with the Yes on Prop 33 campaign.

Proposition 32: Union and Corporate Political Donations

Ben Adler — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 22:26:35 +0000

Proposition 32 would ban direct campaign contributions from unions and corporations, and ban automatic paycheck deductions for political purposes. But rarely do two competing sides disagree so sharply about a measure’s impact.

Supporters say it would level California’s political playing field by clamping down on special interest money. John Kabateck is with the National Federation of Independent Businesses, a small business advocacy group.

Proposition 30: Gov. Brown's Tax Initiative

Ben Adler — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:03:15 +0000

Election Day is still weeks away, but voting in California actually begins this week as counties send out vote-by-mail ballots. Today, we kick off our look at the 11 statewide measures Californians will decide this fall – and we begin with Governor Jerry Brown’s tax initiative, Proposition 30.