As California prepares for the Nov. 3 election, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on 14 statewide ballot propositions covering housing, healthcare and public funding.
California ballot propositions give voters a chance to decide on state policies. Looking beyond what a proposition promises can help voters understand who funds it, who benefits, and how it could affect their communities, said Sarah Hill, professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton.
Hill led a discussion on Zoom about the propositions called “Ballot Propositions 101” on Oct. 6 as part of Cal State Fullerton’s “Go Vote! A Voter Education Series.” Hill, who also serves as chair of the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice, gave a presentation about the 14 ballot propositions, what they stand for, who could benefit from them and who funded their campaigns.
“A really important question to ask is, who paid to get this on the ballot?” Hill said.
Hill encouraged attendees to look beyond what a proposition promises.
Throughout the presentation, Hill encouraged voters to weigh questions such as who would qualify for the benefits promised by a proposition, what changes it would make, and what consequences might follow. She also stressed the importance of understanding how a proposition, if voters approved it, would work, as well as whether it could be changed if problems came up.
“Think about who got this on the ballot, and what their interest would be,” Hill said.
When discussing Prop. 38, Hill shared information from a CalMatters investigation. She encouraged voters to consider who would benefit from the referendum and whether the rules aligned with the proposition’s stated goals.
Hill also questioned why Prop. 37 focused on newly constructed homes rather than prioritizing first-time buyers. She encouraged people to think about how the measure could benefit real estate and construction companies. She also asked who would qualify for help and who might be excluded.
She encouraged voters to be prepared and confident, saying, “Go in with your plan. You have worked through it. You’ve got this, you can go in there, and you can vote with confidence.”
On campus, Titans can vote at the Titan Student Union, Portola Pavilion. Find more information on the Titans Turn Out website.
By Nylene Garcia