Meanwhile, about 56 percent of voters statewide were passing the most controversial measure on the state ballot, Prop 200, which would force applicants for welfare benefits to prove legal residency and require new voters to prove their citizenship before registering to vote. The measure easily passed despite the fact that opponents raised more than $800,000 for an opposition campaign--and the fact that most of the state's most prominent elected officials spoke out against it. We expect lawyers on both sides are already running up billable hours by preparing briefs to either step up or block enforcement of Prop 200.
For the sixth time in 14 years, voters rejected the idea of allowing the State Land Department back into the business of swapping land, defeating Prop 100 with 52 percent of the vote.
State lawmakers will have to keep their belts tight after more than 60 percent of the voters rejected Prop 300, keeping legislative salaries at $24,000 rather than raising them to $36,000 per year.
Voters also gave their blessing to a new limitation on the initiative process, with 55 percent voting to support Prop 101, which will force future initiatives to include a funding source for their programs. But Prop 104, which would have required initiative organizers to turn in their petitions three months earlier than the current deadline, garnered less than 32 percent.
Prop 102, which would have allowed universities to hold stock in enterprises launched by faculty members, was losing, with 52 percent of the voters rejecting the measure.
Voters approved Prop 103, which eliminates the requirement that appointed justices of the peace have a law degree, by a 54-46 vote.
Prop 105, which changed the membership of the State Board of Education, passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.
