California ballot measures have mixed success at polls
Some propositions pass or fail by considerable margins while others remain too close to call
As of 12:30 a.m. today, some of California’s most-debated ballot measures showed a margin too close to call.
The Rebuild California propositions – 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E – were all passing, with 1C and 1D by only a few percentage points. California’s controversial Proposition 85, which would require parental notification for a minor to receive an abortion, was failing by a similarly slim margin.
Proposition 1D, a bond measure focused on providing California schools with funds to rebuild school structures and create school programs, was one of the Rebuild California measures deemed too close to call.
Gabe Rose, president of Bruin Democrats, said he believes California voters were divided because the bond calls for a great deal of California funds to be spent, but he said he believes the bill will pass.
“People recognize that it’s important and that we need the best quality schools. We need to make sure our schools have all the resources they need,” he said.
California voters were also divided on Proposition 85. That measure is similar to last year’s Proposition 73, which voters rejected by a very narrow margin.
While voters seemed torn on the issue again this year, an overwhelming majority of UCLA students voted not to pass Proposition 85.
Rose said he believes UCLA students voted against the proposition because they are in a position to fully understand the consequences of passing such a bill.
“Young people really understand what it means to be forced to communicate about issues they are not comfortable communicating. Not passing the bill means allowing young girls to have the freedom they deserve,” he said.
The proposition would require doctors to provide parents of minors seeking abortions with written notification. Under special circumstances, such as physical health concerns for the mother or a court order forgoing parental consent, minors could go through with the procedure without notifying their parents.
Supporters believe the proposition will facilitate family communication and allow girls to have the support of their families before making personal health decisions.
Jennifer Propper, marketing director for Bruin Republicans, said she supported the bill. She said she believes many Californians do not fully understand what the bill is proposing and emphasized that the bill would only require parental notification, not consent. Further, the notification can come from a doctor rather than the young women themselves. She said she believes not passing the bill would harm young women.
“Our laws as they stand now, without notification measures, do not protect girls from abuse, but keep them in abusive situations. What is the point of family, what is the point of fighting for world peace if we have decided to declare war between parents and child?” she said.
Opponents of the proposition, however, fear that requiring parental notification would drive many young women to seek out alternate, dangerous methods of having an abortion.
“I was most passionate about Proposition 85,” said Marissa Lee, a third-year English student. “I would rather young women seek out health care with confidentiality than be too scared to seek it out at all,” she said.
Proposition 86, a suggested tax increase on cigarettes that was intended to fund state health services, was also failing by a similarly small margin.
Other propositions on the ballot were decided with wider margins.
Proposition 83 passed with a significant majority.
As a result, the state will expand the definition of a violent sex offender and increase penalties for violent and repeat sexual offenders. Registered sex offenders will be prohibited from being within 2,000 feet of any school or park grounds, and registered felony sex offenders will be required to be monitored by GPS for the rest of their lives.
The other bond measures that are a part of the Rebuild California package were passing at press time. These propositions will protect transportation-related taxes and funds, make highway repairs and reduce air pollution, as well as rebuild California’s flood structures and protect the water supply.
Proposition 88, designed to raise funds for California schools by imposing a flat-rate parcel tax on land in addition to the property tax already paid, did not pass.
California voters did not pass Proposition 89, which would have increased corporate taxes and made changes in California campaign fundraising policy.
Voters also failed to pass Proposition 87, proposed to section off funds to reduce petroleum consumption and promote research of alternative energy sources.


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