Only one quarter of voters turned out for special election
California voters overwhelming said no to a slate of
propositions on a special election ballot May 19 that were put
forward by state legislatures and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to
help balance the state budget.
Only one quarter of voters turned out for special election
California voters overwhelming said no to a slate of propositions on a special election ballot May 19 that were put forward by state legislatures and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to help balance the state budget.
Five of the ballot measures failed by more than 60 percent, with just one passing with 73 percent of the votes. The only measure to pass, Prop. 1F, states that in years when a balanced budget is not approved, elected state officials cannot approve raises for themselves.
Of the failed ballot measures, Prop. 1A called for the creation of a “rainy day” fund of 12.5 percent of the general fund, and would have extended a state sales tax increase and a vehicle fee increase through 2013.
Prop. 1B would have required supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts from the state’s Budget Stabilization fund, which would have been created by Prop. 1A.
Prop. 1C would have allowed state officials to revamp the state lottery and borrow funds against future earnings.
Prop. 1D would have allowed state officials to take money from a voter-approved cigarette tax that funds the First 5 Commission and would have used the money for other state child-development programs.
Prop. 1E would have allowed state officials to take money from a voter-approved tax on people who earn more than $1 million that is used for Mental Health services and would have used that money for other state mental health programs for children.
In San Benito County, 26 percent of registered voters turned out for the election, compared with 82 percent casting ballots in the November presidential election.
State results YES NO
Prop 1A 34.1 65.9
Prop 1B 37.4 62.6
Prop 1C 35.4 64.6
Prop 1D 34.2 65.8
Prop 1E 33.6 66.4
Prop 1F 73.9 26.1
San Benito results YES NO
Prop 1A 34.3 65.7
Prop 1B 40.5 59.5
Prop 1C 36 64
Prop 1D 32.3 67.7
Prop 1E 33.4 66.6
Prop 1F 81.3 18.7
