California voters face 14 state measures amid key local races
Ballots include tax changes and ID rules as Los Angeles prepares to elect its next mayor.
By Fatou Kim ·
California residents will decide on 14 state measures at the polls on Tuesday, November 3. The ballot includes proposals regarding voter identification, income tax rate increases, and a new tax on millionaires. Voters in Los Angeles will also choose between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman for mayor, a race that determines whether Bass serves a second term or if new leadership takes the office.
The state’s top executive race pits Republican Steve Hilton against Democrat Xavier Becerra for the governorship. Other major contests include the vice governor, secretary of state, and attorney general positions. These elections, known as midterms, determine who holds key offices in the state’s government for the next cycle.
The Los Angeles County election system is processing votes from 5.8 million registered voters. Ballots are transported to the county’s Vote Processing Center, a large warehouse-like facility. The county is providing live camera feeds from inside the building to show the processing of these votes.
Voting hours in California run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. Individuals who are in line at a polling place before 8 p.m. are permitted to cast their ballots even if they vote after the official closing time. This rule ensures that people waiting in line at the end of the day can participate.
The Los Angeles Metro system is offering free rides on all buses and trains on election day. The service includes Metro Bike Share and Metro Micro services. The free fare program begins at 4 a.m. on November 3 and ends at 3 a.m. on November 4. This measure encourages transit riders to travel to polling locations without paying a fare.
The 14 state proposals on the ballot cover various policy areas. Specific items include changes to how voters identify themselves and adjustments to tax structures. One measure proposes a tax on high-net-worth individuals. Voters will mark yes or no on each of these 14 distinct proposals when they fill out their ballots.
