Elections and Voting

What is a ballot measure?

• Ballot measures are intended to be a form of direct democracy, allowing any eligible voter in California to propose new laws, changes to existing laws, and amendments to the state constitution.

There are three kinds of ballot propositions:

• Citizen-proposed initiatives are proposed laws or amendments to the state constitution
• Citizen-proposed referendums are bills already passed by the state legislature that voters can approve or reject
• Legislative referrals are propositions referred by the state legislature; these might be amendments to the state constitution, state laws, or bond issues (which allow the state to borrow money)

What's the difference between a proposition and a measure?

• Although the words can be used interchangeably, statewide ballot measures are assigned numbers and named Propositions (Proposition 1, Proposition 2, etc.), while local ballot measures that apply only to a particular city, county or district are assigned letters and named Measures (Measure A, Measure B, etc.).

March 2024 Note

Prop 1 is a legislative referral - the legislature wants to rename and expand a 2004 law

As you think about a ballot measure or proposition, consider the following:

• What does the measure seek to accomplish?
  • Do you agree with those goals?
  • Do you think the proposed changes will accomplish those goals?
  • Is the measure seeking changes that are consistent with your ideas about government?
  • Do you think the proposed changes will make things better?
• Who are the real sponsors and opponents of the measure?
  • See where the money is coming from on Ballotpedia.
• Is the measure written well?
  • Will it create conflicts in law that may require court resolution or interpretation?
  • Is it “good government,” or will it cause more problems than it will resolve?

• Does the measure create its own revenue source? Does it earmark, restrict or obligate government revenues?
  • If so, weigh the benefit of securing funding for the measure’s program against the cost of reducing overall flexibility in the budget.
• Does the measure create a new government program or service?
  • If so, how will the new program or service be funded?

If the measure amends the Constitution, consider whether it really belongs in the Constitution.

• Would a regular law accomplish the same purpose?
• All constitutional amendments require voter approval: what we put into the Constitution would have to come back to the ballot to be changed.

Adapted from "How To Evaluate Ballot Propositions" by the League of Women Voters of California, now archived.