California 1938 ballot propositions

1939 →

← 1936

In 1938, voters decided on 25 statewide ballot measures in California on November 8.

• Three were initiated constitutional amendments.
• Three were initiated state statutes.
• 16 were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• Three were veto referendums.
• Voters approved seven (28%) and rejected 18 (72%).

On the ballot

November 8, 1938

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
VR	Proposition 10	Allow bidding on 11 parcels of state-owned tide and overflowed land at Huntington Beach for oil drilling from piers, islands or groins.		491,973 (23%)	1,666,251 (77%)
LRCA	Proposition 11	Divide California into 5 equalization districts and declare that the State Board of Equalization be made up of one member from each district.		540,578 (28%)	1,371,153 (72%)
LRCA	Proposition 12	Prohibit taxes, license fees, and other charges for any property controlled by the San Francisco Bay Exposition corporation for the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939.	a	1,067,573 (53%)	943,533 (47%)
VR	Proposition 13	Allow governmental subdivisions to use revenue bonds to pay for the construction or acquisition of public utilities.		516,591 (26%)	1,465,841 (74%)
LRCA	Proposition 14	Establish procedures regarding when a judge should be removed from the Supreme Court.	a	1,782,350 (84%)	346,701 (16%)
LRCA	Proposition 15	Increase the number of members on the Judicial Council from 15 and allow the Council to make rules regarding all judges in the state.		806,742 (45%)	972,526 (55%)
LRCA	Proposition 16	Declare that retired judges continue as a judicial officer but may only exercise judicial power when assigned.		822,982 (43%)	1,105,183 (57%)
LRCA	Proposition 17	Require that once an initiative has been presented to the Secretary of State such measure be voted on in the next general election or special election.	a	985,255 (54%)	832,359 (46%)
LRCA	Proposition 18	Require money controlled by any state agency be held in a trust by the State Treasurer and allow the State Treasurer to distribute the funds in such trust.		826,901 (45%)	998,421 (55%)
LRCA	Proposition 19	Allow surplus money from the Veterans’ Farm and Home Preservation Act of 1921 fund be distributed amongst veterans.		405,552 (21%)	1,493,574 (79%)
CISS	Proposition 1	Define lawful and unlawful picketing, boycotting, and display of banners and recognize the right of employees to strike and bargain collectively,		1,067,229 (42%)	1,476,379 (58%)
CICA	Proposition 20	Exempt homes valued up to $1,000 from taxation, repeal the sales tax, and phase out taxes on improvements and personal property.		372,386 (17%)	1,836,585 (83%)
LRCA	Proposition 21	Extend the tax exemption to furnishings and personal property of religious buildings and buildings and property used to provide aid to orphans.		760,482 (36%)	1,323,176 (64%)
LRCA	Proposition 22	Require that charter amendments be submitted to the local legislative body and require that voters vote on such amendments within 60 days of filing.		702,387 (39%)	1,086,405 (61%)
LRCA	Proposition 23	Allow for $10 per day per member of both houses of the legislature for legislative help.		451,880 (25%)	1,378,262 (75%)
VR	Proposition 24	Allow bidding on 11 parcels of state-owned tide and overflowed land at Huntington Beach for drilling and require a minimum of 5 wells per parcel.		309,795 (15%)	1,744,801 (85%)
CICA	Proposition 25	Create the State Retirement Life Payments Administrator and require the state issue retirement compensation warrants and stamps.		1,143,670 (45%)	1,398,999 (55%)
CISS	Proposition 2	Establish regulations for animal pounds.		721,126 (31%)	1,581,258 (69%)
LRCA	Proposition 3	Require motor vehicle and gas tax money, vehicle license fees, and vehicle license tax money be used for street and highway purposes.	a	1,505,043 (66%)	766,063 (34%)
CICA	Proposition 4	Create the Highway and Traffic Safety Commission, eliminate the current State Highway Commission, and transfer the California Highway Patrol to the control of the Highway and Traffic Safety Commission.		904,491 (40%)	1,358,351 (60%)
CISS	Proposition 5	Authorize the State Fish and Game Commission to issue permits for delivering fish, mollusks, or crustaceans beyond state waters.	a	1,309,007 (62%)	795,023 (38%)
LRCA	Proposition 6	Tax insurance companies at 2.6% the amount of gross premiums minus return premiums.	a	1,424,076 (70%)	609,135 (30%)
LRCA	Proposition 7	Give the legislature the power to administer relief for those suffering from hardship.	a	1,166,589 (58%)	834,332 (42%)
LRCA	Proposition 8	Give the legislature the power to apportion funds from the State Treasury for municipal purposes and allow the legislature to gift things of value to municipal corporations.		479,500 (26%)	1,395,523 (74%)
LRCA	Proposition 9	Remove the provision exempting $1,000 worth of property from taxation for veterans released from active duty because of a disability.		839,379 (39%)	1,288,517 (61%)

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in California
• List of California ballot measures
• 1938 ballot measures

External links

• California Voter Guide (November 1938)