All About the Props
It’s time for YOU to vote! With the election right around the corner, it is important to note some dates and deadlines to make sure your vote counts.
Registration deadline (by mail/online): October 19, 2020
Registration deadline (in-person): November 3, 2020
Election Date: November 3, 2020
You can also register and vote on election day: Check out your nearest polling place!
There is a lot of political information out there that can be overwhelming and confusing to understand when looking at your ballot. This year, in California, there are 13 propositions that will be voted on to make changes moving forward. Here’s a brief run-down on each proposition and what it means to vote yes or no.
Prop 14 would issue $5.5 billion in state bonds to stem cell and other medical research, with $1.5 billion dedicated to brain-related diseases.
YES Vote: California could sell $5.5 billion in bonds primarily for stem cell and other medical research.
NO Vote: California could not sell $5.5 billion in bonds primarily for stem cell and other medical research.
Prop 15: Commercial Property Tax
Prop 15 increases taxes on commercial and industrial properties based on the current market value instead of the purchase price.
YES Vote: Property taxes on most commercial properties would go up in order to provide new funding to local governments and schools.
NO Vote: Property taxes on commercial properties would stay the same.
Prop 16 permits government and public agencies to consider race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin to address diversity when making decisions of admission or employment.
YES Vote: State and government agencies could consider race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin when making decisions of admission or employment.
NO Vote: The current ban on affirmative action would remain
Prop 17: Parolee Voting Rights
Prop 17 grants a person that was convicted of a felony, and on parole, the right to vote.
YES Vote: People on state parole would be able to vote, if they are a U.S. citizen, a resident of California, and at least 18-years old.
NO Vote: People on state parole would be unable to vote.
Prop 18 permits eligible 17-year olds to vote in primary and special elections, if they turn 18 by the next general election.
YES Vote: Eligible 17-year olds, who will be 18 years old by the time of the next general election, may vote in primary and special elections.
NO Vote: All voters must be 18 years of age.
Prop 19: Tax Assessment Transfers
Prop 9 allows elderly or disabled homeowners, or victims of natural disasters, to move without paying higher taxes than what they were accustomed to.
YES Vote: All homeowners who are over 55 (or have met other qualifications) would be eligible for property tax savings when they move.
NO Vote: Some homeowners who are over 55 (or have met other qualifications) would be eligible for property tax savings when they move.
Prop 20: Tougher Criminal Sentencing
Prop 20 restricts parole for what are now considered to be non-violent crimes. Some crimes that were once misdemeanors, would be felonies.
YES Vote: People who commit non-violent crimes could receive increased penalties and possibly jail time. Law enforcement would be required to collect DNA samples from adults convicted of certain misdemeanors.
NO Vote: Current legal provisions, sentencing, and police DNA testing would remain the same.
Prop 21: Rent Control Expansion
Prop 21 expands the government’s power to enforce rent control.
YES Vote: State law would allow more rent control to more properties in cities and counties.
NO Vote: State law regarding rent control would remain the same.
Prop 22: App-Based Contractors
App-based drivers and delivery servers, on Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, would receive employee benefits as independent contractors.
YES Vote: App-based companies could hire employees as independent contractors and provide them with standard benefits.
NO Vote: App-based companies would have to hire employees if the courts make a law regarding it. There would not be any benefits or protections that businesses would provide employees.
Prop 23 increases regulation on dialysis, requiring a medical professional on-site.
YES Vote: Dialysis would be required to have a doctor on-site at the hours of treatment.
NO Vote: Dialysis would not require a doctor on-site at the hours of treatment.
Prop 24 prevents businesses and authorities from sharing consumer’s personal information, geolocation, race, ethnicity, etc..
YES Vote: Consumer data laws and rights would expand. State would oversee and enforce consumer privacy laws.
NO Vote: Consumers would continue with existing data privacy laws. Businesses would continue to follow existing consumer data privacy laws.
Prop 25 replaces cash bail with a system based on public safety risk.
YES Vote: No one would pay money to be released from jail before trial. No one would be charged fees as a result of release.
NO Vote: Some people would continue to pay bail, while others would be released without paying bail.
Voting is the most impactful way to use your voice! By educating yourself on propositions, candidates, and political agendas, you will feel confident when turning in your ballot. For more information visit https://www.vote.org.
Blog Sources
Images: https://www.kcet.org/ballot-brief
Text: https://ballotpedia.org/California_2020_ballot_propositions