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Competing ballot measures in California
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What are competing measures?
In California, competing measures are measures that directly conflict with one another that appear on the same ballot.
When measures with conflicting provisions compete, only one can be approved by voters. Local measures pass when they receive the required number of "yes" votes. Some measures require 50 percent plus one (a simple majority), and some require 55 percent or two-thirds (a supermajority). If both competing measures receive the required number of "yes" votes for approval, the measure with the most "yes" votes supersedes the other. It is also possible for two competing measures to both be defeated if neither receives the required number of "yes" votes.[1][2]
This page covers competing local measures on the ballot in California in 2018, 2019, and 2022.
Competing local ballot measures by election date
2024
November 5
Richmond, Measure J and Richmond Measure L were competing measures on the ballot for Richmond voters on November 5, 2024. Measure J proposed creating a top-two primary system for city council and mayor elections, coinciding with the statewide primary, where the top two candidates advance to the general election unless one candidate wins a majority in the primary, in which case they are elected without a general election. Measure L proposed adopting ranked-choice voting (RCV), also known as instant-runoff voting, for mayoral and city council elections. As both received a majority of votes, the one that received the most votes was enacted. Measure J (20,645 votes) received more votes than Measure L (19,284 votes). Therefore, Measure J was enacted, and Measure L was not.
2022
November 8
San Francisco Proposition D and Proposition E were competing measures on the ballot for San Francisco voters on November 8, 2022. Proposition D proposed removing the Board of Supervisors' approval as a requirement for affordable housing projects using city property or city financing. Proposition E proposed continuing to require approval. Both propositions were defeated.
- San Francisco, California, Proposition D, Remove Board of Supervisors' Approval Requirement for Affordable Housing Projects Using City Property or Financing and Expedite Approval Process for Certain Affordable Housing Projects Initiative (November 2022)
- San Francisco, California, Proposition E, Require Board of Supervisors' Approval for Affordable Housing Projects Using City Property or Financing and Expedite Approval Process for Certain Affordable Housing Projects Amendment (November 2022)
San Francisco voters decided on another pair of competing measures on November 8—Propositions I and J. Proposition I proposed allowing motor vehicles on John F. Kennedy Drive and connector streets, known as the JFK Promenade while Proposition J proposed upholding an ordinance adopted in May 2022 that provided for the closure of portions of John F. Kennedy Drive and certain connector streets in Golden Gate Park, known as JFK Promenade, to use the area as open recreation spaces. Proposition J was approved with 63.07% to 36.93%.
- San Francisco, California, Proposition I, Allow Private Vehicles on JFK Drive and Connector Streets in Golden Gate Park Initiative (November 2022)
- San Francisco, California, Proposition J, Limit Private Vehicles on JFK Drive and Connector Streets in Golden Gate Park For Use as Recreational Open Space Measure (November 2022)
In South El Monte, voters decided on two competing cannabis measures—Measure CM and Measure X. Measure CM was a referral, and Measure X was an initiative. Both proposed cannabis business regulations and taxes. Measure CM was approved with 53.68%. Measure X was defeated.
- South El Monte, California, Measure CM, Marijuana Regulation and Tax Measure (November 2022)
- South El Monte, California, Measure X, Marijuana Regulation and Tax Initiative (November 2022)
2019
April 9
Alameda
Measure A and Measure B were competing measures on the ballot for Alameda voters on April 9, 2019. Measure A, a city proposal, was designed to convert vacant federal buildings on a 3.65 acre McKay Avenue parcel into a wellness center providing senior assisted living and homelessness services. Measure B, a citizen initiative, was designed to designate the 3.65 acre parcel as open space. Measure A was approved.
- Alameda, California, Measure A, McKay Avenue Parcel Wellness Center Development (April 2019)
- Alameda, California, Measure B, McKay Avenue Parcel Open Space Designation Initiative (April 2019)
March 5
Signal Hill
Competing measures M and N were on the ballot for Signal Hill voters in Los Angeles County, California, on March 5, 2019. The measures asked voters whether the city should move municipal elections to the first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years or to the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years. Measure N was approved, moving city elections to the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years.
- Signal Hill, California, Measure M, Election Consolidation with Statewide Primary (March 2019)
- Signal Hill, California, Measure N, Election Consolidation with Statewide General Election (March 2019)
2018
November 6
Four jurisdictions had competing measures on the ballot on November 6, 2018—Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, San Diego, and Santa Barbara County.
Desert Hot Springs
Desert Hot Springs voters in Riverside County faced competing measures U and V regarding changes to the term of office for the mayor on November 6, 2018. Measure U was placed on the ballot by the city council and was designed to change the office of the mayor from an elected position with unlimited two-year terms to a position with a one-year term appointed by the council on an annual rotation. Competing Measure V, also placed on the ballot by the city council, was designed to change the term of office for the mayor from two years to four years, with a limit of two terms. Measure V was approved.
- Desert Hot Springs, California, Measure U, Rotating Mayor among City Council Members with One-Year Term (November 2018)
- Desert Hot Springs, California, Measure V, Elected Mayor with Four Year Term and Term Limits (November 2018)
Hemet
Hemet voters in Riverside County decided on competing measures Y and Z regarding the authorization and taxation of marijuana businesses in the city. Measure Y was a citizen initiative designed to allow indoor marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and testing laboratories in the city while continuing the prohibition on retail marijuana businesses. The measure was also designed to establish a tax of $10 per square foot for non-retail businesses. Competing Measure Z was referred to the ballot by the Hemet City Council and was designed to maintain the city's prohibition on all marijuana businesses through December 31, 2020, allowing the city council to tax all marijuana businesses thereafter at rates of $30 per square foot for cultivation and 25 percent of gross receipts for other businesses. Measure Z was approved.
- Hemet, California, Measure Y, Marijuana Business Authorization and Tax Initiative (November 2018)
- Hemet, California, Measure Z, Marijuana Business Prohibition and Tax City Council Alternative (November 2018)
San Diego
In San Diego, voters decided on competing measures E and G regarding the redevelopment of Mission Valley Stadium property. Measure E, a citizen initiative, was designed to allow the city to lease the Mission Valley Stadium property and former San Diego Chargers practice facility for at least 99 years to an entity that has been awarded a professional soccer league franchise. Measure G, also a citizen initiative, was designed to allow the city to sell Mission Valley Stadium to San Diego State University. Measure G was approved.
- San Diego, California, Measure E, Mission Valley Stadium SoccerCity Lease and Redevelopment Initiative (November 2018)
- San Diego, California, Measure G, Mission Valley Stadium Sale to San Diego State University (November 2018)
Santa Barbara County
Voters in Santa Barbara County decided on Measure G2018 and Measure H2018. Measure G2018 was referred to the ballot by the county board of supervisors to authorize the board to create an 11-member redistricting commission to adjust the boundaries of the county supervisorial districts. Measure H2018 was a citizen initiative designed to establish a redistricting commission independent of the board of supervisors. Measure G2018 was approved.
- Santa Barbara County, California, Measure G2018, Independent Redistricting Ordinance (November 2018)
- Santa Barbara County, California, Measure H2018, Independent Redistricting Initiative (November 2018)
June 5
San Francisco, San Jose, Jurupa Valley, Martinez, and National City each had competing measures on the ballot on June 5, 2018.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, voters decided on June 5, 2018, between Proposition C and Proposition D, two measures designed to tax commercial leases.
Proposition C was a citizen initiative led by San Francisco Supervisors Jane Kim and Norman Yee. The initiative proposed an additional tax on commercial leases for landlords with annual gross receipts above $1 million, with certain exemptions, to fund childcare and early education. The new tax was designed to be up to 3.5 percent of gross receipts from commercial leases. Proposition D also proposed an additional tax on commercial leases for landlords with annual gross receipts above $1 million, but at a rate of up to 1.7 percent of gross receipts from commercial leases and with funds directed to housing and homelessness services. Proposition C for childcare required a simple majority for approval, while Proposition D for housing and homelessness services required a two-thirds supermajority vote.
Proposition D was defeated on election night, while Proposition C was approved with 50.87 percent approval.[3]
Proposition C: San Francisco Commercial Rent Tax for Childcare and Early Education
Proposition D: San Francisco Commercial Rent Tax for Housing and Homelessness Services
San Jose
In San Jose, voters decided on June 5, 2018, between Measure B and Measure C, both regarding development of local land. Measure B was a citizen initiative designed to amend the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan by rezoning employment lands in the city for senior housing. The initiative proposed a project that would have included up to 910 residential units for individuals 55 or older, with a preference for veterans. Mayor Sam Liccardo proposed Measure C, a charter amendment, to restrict development on employment lands for employment uses only, countering the proposed senior housing project.
Measure B was defeated, and Measure C was approved.
Measure B: San Jose Evergreen Senior Housing Initiative
Measure C: San Jose Development Limits on Employment Lands Charter Amendment
Jurupa Valley
Jurupa Valley voters in Riverside County decided between Measure A to legalize commercial marijuana businesses in the Manufacturing-Service Commercial zone of the city and Measure B to continue the existing ban on all commercial marijuana businesses. Measure A was placed on the ballot through a citizen initiative, while Measure B was placed on the ballot through a vote of the city council.
Measure A was defeated, and Measure B was approved.
Measure A: Jurupa Valley Legalization of Commercial Marijuana Businesses
Measure B: Jurupa Valley Continuing the Ban on Commercial Marijuana
Martinez
Martinez voters in Contra Costa County decided between Measure I and Measure F regarding open space designation and land use. Measure I was a citizen initiative to add "Protected Open Space and Parks” overlay designations in the general plan to all open space, park, and outdoor recreation lands—including both public and private lands—and to require voter approval for changes to those lands. The city council reported that the initiative was legally flawed, but the Superior Court of California in Contra Costa County ruled that the initiative must be placed on the June 5 ballot. Following this ruling, the Martinez City Council adopted its own measure, Measure F, to enact provisions related to land use for public—but not private—open space, park, and outdoor recreation lands and to require voter approval for changes to those lands.
Citizen initiative Measure I was approved, and Measure F was defeated, with a margin of victory of 103 votes.
Measure F: Martinez Voter Approval for Changes to Public Open Space Lands - City Council Measure
Measure I: Martinez Open Space and Parks Overlay - Citizen Initiative
National City
National City voters in San Diego County decided between Measure B and Measure C, both regarding term limits for local offices. Measure B was a citizen initiative to repeal existing term limits on the mayor and to impose two consecutive four-year terms on the mayor, city council members, city clerk, and city treasurer. The measure would have given the mayor, Ron Morrison, the option to run for two additional terms after his original term would have ended. Measure C, in contrast, was designed to preserve the mayor’s term limits and apply those limits—three consecutive four-year terms—to city council members, the city clerk, and the city treasurer. Under Measure C, Ron Morrison could not run for additional terms.
Measure B was defeated, and Measure C was approved.
Measure B: Initiative to Repeal Proposition T Term Limits
Measure C: Initiative to Preserve and Impose Proposition T Term Limits
January 23
Compton
Compton voters in Los Angeles County saw two competing marijuana measures on the ballot on January 23, 2018. Measure I was a citizen initiative proposing that the city allow marijuana businesses with a tax of up to 5 percent of gross receipts and $10 per square foot of canopy on marijuana in indoor facilities. Measure C was placed on the ballot by the city council, and it called for the city to allow marijuana businesses to operate only in commercial manufacturing zones and for a business tax of up to 10 percent of gross annual sales.
Compton voters defeated both measures.
• Measure I: Compton Voter Initiative on Marijuana Businesses
• Measure C: Compton City Council Ordinance on Marijuana Businesses
See also
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- ↑ FindLaw, "California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 9221," accessed May 10, 2018
- ↑ California State Legislature, "California Constitution - Article XI, § 3," accessed May 10, 2018
- ↑ The vote requirement for Proposition C was being challenged in court as of December 13, 2018.
