Voters resoundingly passed state ballot measures protecting a woman’s right to an abortion and another to fund state arts education programs.
Californians rejected an increase in personal income taxes, approximately $2 million, to support electric vehicle switching.
Two measures to legalize online and casino sports betting were also defeated
41% of the votes were in for the arts funding measure. This requires schools to spend a certain amount of their budgets to support arts and music programs. Proposition 28 was supported by the entertainment industry, including donors like Universal Music Group and Barbra Strreisand.
A second measure, which would have added the right of abortion and contraception in the state constitution, was also well received with 65% and 41% reporting. Similar measures were approved in Michigan and Vermont. In Kentucky, an anti-abortion initiative failed.
The proposed tax on millionaires was perhaps hurt by California’s already high rates for upper income earners. It was falling 59% to 41% and 41% reported. The vote also showed a rejection of two sports betting opportunities by wider margins.
There are more to come.