California elections, 2018

Senate

Incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein is running for reelection.

House of Representatives

Governor

Incumbent Democrat Jerry Brown is term-limited.

Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Democrat Gavin Newsom is term-limited.

Attorney General

Incumbent Democrat Xavier Becerra is running for his first election after his appointment and confirmation to the office on January 24, 2017.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Democrat Alex Padilla is running for reelection.

Treasurer

Incumbent Democrat John Chiang is leaving office to run for governor.

Controller

Incumbent Democrat Betty Yee is running for reelection.

Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Democrat Dave Jones is term-limited.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Tom Torlakson is term-limited.

District 1

Incumbent Republican George Runner is term-limited.

District 2

Incumbent Democrat Fiona Ma is leaving office to run for state treasurer.

District 3

Incumbent Democrat Jerome Horton is term-limited.

District 4

Incumbent Republican Diane Harkey is leaving office to run for the United States House of Representatives.

State Senate

State Assembly

June primary election

Since the passage of a law in November 2011, state primary elections may only feature propositions placed on the ballot by the state legislature.^[1]

• Proposition 68 - Passed

  A $4 billion bond measure to fund various parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection projects. Proponents argued that these projects will ensure and protect water resources, even during times of droughts. Opponents worried about adding more bonds to California's already existing debt.^[2]

• Proposition 69 - Passed

  A state constitution amendment that mandates that revenues generated by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 can only be used for transportation purposes. Proponents argued that this will prevent the state legislature from redirecting these funds to non-transportation programs. Opponents argued that this will not fix or build new roads, nor would it protect gas tax revenues.^[3]

• Proposition 70 - Failed

  A state constitution amendment that would have required that revenue from cap and trade programs be collected in a special fund starting in 2024. The state legislature would then need a two-thirds majority vote to spend this money. Proponents argued that this will ensure that the state legislature will spend these funds wisely on high priority projects. Opponents argued that this will empower anti-environmental special interest groups because a two-thirds majority vote requirement will lead to more legislative gridlock.^[4]

• Proposition 71 - Passed

  A state constitution amendment to move the effective date of passed ballot measures from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the results. Proponents wanted to make sure that future election results are officially certified before ballot measures go into effect. Opponents worried that this will prevent future ballot measures from retroactively taking effect, because there may be a scenario where a voter-approved ballot measure may need to be enforced as soon as possible.^[5]

• Proposition 72 - Passed

  A state constitution amendment to exclude rainwater capture systems completed on or after January 1, 2019 from property tax assessments. Proponents wanted more homeowners to install these systems to help conserve water, and not get taxed on them. There was no opposing argument submitted to the Secretary of State.^[6]

November general election

• Proposition 1

  Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will authorize $4 billion in bonds to fund various veterans' home loans and affordable housing programs.^[7][8] Supporters want such affordable housing, while opponents argue that there are better alternative solutions.^[9]

• Proposition 2

  No Place Like Home Act of 2018. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will allow revenue generated by 2004's Proposition 63, the 1 percent tax on incomes above $1 million, be used for $2 billion in bonds for homelessness prevention housing.^[8] Supporters say that this will help people get off the street, while opponents argue that diverting Prop. 63 revenue from the state's public mental health system may actually increase the homelessness.^[9]

• Proposition 3

  Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute. Authorizes $8.877 billion in bonds to fund such infrastructure projects.^[8] Supporters favor funding such water projects, while opponents argue that it is not worth adding more bond debt if it is not going to produce new, usable water.^[9]

• Proposition 4

  Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds to funding construction at various hospitals providing children’s health care. Initiative Statute. Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds to fund grants for construction and improvements at various children's hospitals.^[8] supporters favor such new hospital projects, while opponents would rather look for better ways to improve the state's overall health care system.^[9]

• Proposition 5

  Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer Their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Will amend 1978's Proposition 13 by allowing homeowners who are over 55 years old or severely disabled to transfer their property tax base from their old home to their new one, regardless of the new residence's property value, location, or their previous transfers.^[8] Supporters want to make it easier for seniors and the severely disabled when they move to a new residence, while opponents worry that public programs and services could be cut as a result of the potential loss of up to $1 billion of tax revenue.^[9]

• Proposition 6

  Eliminates Recently Enacted Road Repair and Transportation Funding by Repealing Revenues Dedicated for those Purposes. Requires any Measure to Enact Certain Vehicle Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Fees be Submitted to and Approved by the Electorate. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Repeals the fuel tax increases and vehicle fees under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Any future increases would then require a mandatory proposition placed on the ballot.^[8] Supporters feel that the fuel taxes and vehicle fees are unfairly regressive, while opponents worry about the safety of roads and bridges if they do not get properly maintained.^[9]

• Proposition 7

  Daylight Savings Time. This mandatory proposition, placed by the state legislature and the Governor, will repeal 1949's Proposition 12, allowing the state legislature to enact permanent daylight saving time, subject to approval by the U.S. Congress.^[8] Supporters cite the public health and safety drawbacks of the biannual time changes, while opponents say that it is not worth it having people, especially school children, having to walk in the dark in the morning during the winter months.^[9]

• Proposition 8

  Authorizes State Regulation of Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Limits Charges for Patient Care. Initiative Statute. Among other requirements, mandates that kidney dialysis clinics issue refunds to their patients if their revenue exceeds 115 percent of their costs of direct patient care and health care quality improvements.^[8] Supporters want to protect patients from higher fees and from being overcharged, while opponents worry that these stricter requirements will force the closure of many of these clinics.^[9]

• Proposition 9 - Removed from the ballot by order of the California Supreme Court

  Division of California into Three States. Initiative Statute. Also known as the Cal 3 measure, this would have divided California into three U.S. states, subject to approval by the U.S. Congress.^[8] It was removed from the ballot by the California Supreme Court on July 18, 2018, for further legal review.^[10]

• Proposition 10

  Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute. Repeals the Costa–Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, lifting its limits on municipal rent control ordinances.^[8] Supporters argue that more local control will preserve affordable rents, while opponents worry that this will increase the local bureaucracy by allowing them to also regulate single-family homes and to also potentially add fees on top of the rents.^[9]

• Proposition 11

  Requires Private-Sector Emergency Ambulance Employees to Remain on Call During Work Breaks. Changes Other Conditions of Employment. Initiative Statute. Among other requirements, would require private-sector emergency ambulance employees to remain on call during breaks, be trained in certain emergency situations, and receive paid mental health services from their employers.^[8] Supporters argue that these changes will help save lives during disasters and emergencies. There was no opposing argument submitted to the Secretary of State.^[9]

• Proposition 12

  Establishes New Standards for Confinement of Certain Farm Animals; Bans Sale of Certain Non-Complying Products. Initiative Statute. Requires meats and eggs be produced from farm animals that are confined in areas greater than a specific amount of space.^[8] Supporters hope that this will help stop animal cruelty on these farms. Opponents note that this is also supported by the egg industry, and that some of the specific space regulations (such as only allowing a single square foot of space per hen) are not exactly animal-friendly.^[9]