2024 California Proposition 5
 | This article documents a current election. Information may change rapidly as the election progresses until official results have been published. Initial news reports may be unreliable, and the last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2024) |
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ALLOWS LOCAL BONDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WITH 55% VOTER APPROVAL. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. |
| Elections in California |
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Proposition 5 is a California ballot proposition that was voted on as part of the 2024 California elections on November 5. If passed, the proposition would amend the California Constitution to reduce the supermajority requirement from two-thirds of the vote to 55% for local bond measures to fund affordable housing and some types of public infrastructure.[1]
Background
[edit]Most city and county bonds require voter approval in California, needing the support of at least two-thirds of voters to pass.[2] This requirement was put in place by Proposition 13 which was passed in 1978 and reduced property taxes.[3] In 2000, Proposition 39 reduced the supermajority to 55% to approve taxes for local school bonds.[3] Politico suggested that a lower supermajority would mean more bond measures would pass, but also that more local governments would put them on the ballot to begin with.[1]
Proposition 5 was placed on the ballot via legislative referral.[3]
Campaign
[edit]The proposition's ballot label was challenged by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association who argued that it lacked important information that the proposition would reduce the supermajority rather than raising it.[4][5] Sacramento County Superior Court judge Shelleyanne W. L. Chang agreed and ordered the state government to rewrite the label.[6] The Third District Court of Appeal reversed Chang's ruling, finding that the ballot label was "factually accurate" and would not mislead voters.[3]
Support
[edit]Supporters of the proposition said that it gave local voters the power to address challenges facing their communities.[7] Supporters also argued that allowing just a third of voters to block measures is undemocratic.[2][8]
Endorsements
[edit]- US Representatives
- Barbara Lee, US Representative for California's 12th congressional district (2023-present)[9]
- Newspapers
- Organisations
Opposition
[edit]Those opposing the proposition argued that the proposition would make it easier for bond debt to increase, leading to higher property taxes.[7] It was also argued that Proposition 5 was an attempt by Democrats to dodge property tax restrictions under Proposition 13.[2]
Endorsements
[edit]Neutral/No endorsement
[edit]Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[note 2] |
Margin of error |
Yes | No | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Institute of California | October 7–15, 2024 | 1137 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 48% | 50% | 3% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | August 29–September 9, 2024 | 1071 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 49% | 50% | 1% |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Will McCarthy; Emily Schultheis (October 16, 2024). "Your Guide to California's 2024 Ballot Measures". Politico. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Make it easier for local governments to fund affordable housing, infrastructure projects". CalMatters. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Bob Egelko (August 13, 2024). "Prop 5 ballot label doesn't have to mention 2/3 voter approval rule". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Alan Riquelmy (August 1, 2024). "Taxpayer group sues California claiming ballot language misleads". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Catherine Allen; Will McCarthy; Emily Schultheis (August 12, 2024). "The ballot measures racking up small-dollar donations". Politico. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Alan Riquelmy (August 8, 2024). "California judge rules that ballot label for November referendum needs rewrite". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "Prop 5 - ALLOWS LOCAL BONDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WITH 55% VOTER APPROVAL. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT". California Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "Endorsement: Yes on Prop. 5. It's too hard to pass local bond measures". Los Angeles Times. September 20, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Our Coalition". Yes on Prop 5. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Emily Schultheis; Will McCarthy (October 16, 2024). "The shifting shapes of this year's California ballot-measure coalitions". Politico. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Election Center - Current Endorsements". Equality California. Retrieved October 17, 2024.