The Easy Voter Guide
November 7, 2006 Election

What will be on my ballot?

Candidates: These elected offices in this election serve the whole state of California (click on one to see a job description). There will also be local elected representatives on your ballot. 

• U. S. Senator

• Governor

• Lieutenant Governor

• Secretary of State

• Controller

• Treasurer

• Attorney General

• Insurance Commissioner

• California Supreme Court Justice

Proposed Laws: Voters will be asked to consider thirteen state propositions that could change California law. Propositions 1A through 1E are from the State Legislature.  Propositions 83 through 90 are “initiatives” that were placed on the ballot by people who collected enough signatures.

Prop 1A: Transportation Funds – would change the California Constitution to ensure that funds from the state sales tax on gas are used for transportation.

Prop 1B: Transportation Bonds – would allow the state to sell $19.9 billion in bonds for improvements and repairs to reduce traffic congestion, expand local transit, and improve air quality, earthquake safety and security.

Prop 1C: Public Housing Bonds – would allow the state to sell $2.85 billion in bonds for housing projects and related development, assistance for renters and first-time and low-income homebuyers, and homeless shelters.

Prop 1D: Bonds for School and College Buildings – would allow the state to sell $10.4 billion in bonds to build and upgrade K-12 schools, community colleges and public university facilities.

Prop 1E: Flood Control Bonds – would allow the state to sell $4.1 billion in bonds to repair levees and provide flood protection in the Central Valley plus fund flood safety projects in other parts of the state.

Prop 83: Punishment for Sex Crimes – would increase penalties and restrictions for people convicted of sex crimes.

Prop 84: Bonds for Water & Natural Resources – would allow the state to sell $5.4 billion in bonds to ensure safe drinking water and current water supply, restore waterways and flood control.

Prop 85: Parental Notification about Abortion – would require a doctor to notify a parent or guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor (an unmarried girl under 18 years old).

Prop 86: Cigarette Tax – would add a new state tobacco tax of $2.60 per pack of cigarettes to pay for hospital emergency care, children’s health insurance, and other health programs.

Prop 87: Oil Tax for Clean Energy – would set up a $4 billion program to reduce the use of oil and promote clean energy, funded by a new tax on oil pumped in California.

Prop 88: Property Tax for Education – would create a new state “parcel” tax of $50 on each property to pay for specific K-12 education efforts such as class-size reduction, textbooks and school safety programs.

Prop 89: Public Funding of Political Campaigns – would set up a system of public funding for political campaigns for candidates for state office who agree to certain conditions (with the public funds raised by increasing the state income tax on corporations by 0.2 percent).

Prop 90: Property Rights – would prevent governments from forcing the sale of private property for private use; it would also require that property owners be paid for major economic losses caused by new laws or zoning changes.

1.) U.S. Senator -- Our voice in Washington

• One of two U.S. Senators who represent the people of California in Washington D.C. for a 6-year term
• Works with U.S. Senators from other states to make new U.S. laws
• As a member of Congress, helps shape the budget and priorities for national government

2.) Governor -- The top boss in California                        

• Oversees most state departments and agencies
• Approves or rejects new state laws
• Presents an annual budget to the State Legislature
• Appoints judges and department heads
• Manages state resources during emergencies

3.) Lieutenant Governor -- The next in line for Governor 

• Becomes Governor if the elected Governor dies, chooses to leave, or is removed from office
• Has a tie-breaking vote in the State Senate
• Heads up the Economic Development Commission
• Sits on the boards of the California University system

4.) Secretary of State -- Elections chief and record keeper   

• Coordinates statewide elections; makes sure everything gets on the ballot properly
• Keeps records about campaigns and lobbyists
• Issues official documents, like trademarks and filings for new corporations
• Runs the state archives to preserve California’s history with documents like the State Constitution

5.) Controller -- The state's bookkeeper                          

• Keeps track of how the state’s money is spent
• Issues most checks from the state and manages collections of money due to the state
• Does audits and reviews of state operations
• Reports on finances of state and local governments

6.) Treasurer -- The state's banker

• Acts as the banker for the state and releases money to pay the state’s bills
• Manages the state’s investments of $63 billion
• Manages the sale of state bonds
• Chairs many boards related to state finances and investment

7.) Attorney General -- The law enforcement chief          

• Makes sure laws are enforced the same way across the state
• Serves as legal advisor to Governor, Legislature and state agencies
• Manages the state Department of Justice
• Oversees sheriffs and district attorneys across the state

8.) Insurance Commissioner -- The insurance chief

• Manages the state Department of Insurance
• Enforces laws that insurance companies must follow
• Helps the public with their questions and complaints about insurance

9.) California Supreme Court Justice

California’s Supreme Court has the final say on how California law is interpreted. Judges on the Supreme Court (also called “justices”):

• are nominated by the Governor and subject to approval by the State Legislature
• must be approved by voters after they are appointed (in the next election for Governor)
• must be re-approved at the end of each 12-year term, with no limits to the number of terms that they can serve