In a resounding defeat for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, all eight
propositions on the statewide special election ballot, four of
which he sponsored, were rejected by California voters.
As reports from more and more precincts came in Tuesday night,
the margin of defeat for Schwarzenegger’s signature
propositions widened.
Two of his pet initiatives – Proposition 76, which would have
restricted spending and given the governor more control over the
state budget, and Proposition 77, which would have revised the
state voting districts ““ lost by a sizable margin, with 62
percent and 59.46 percent voting “no,”
respectively.
Proposition 74, which would have changed tenure rules for public
school teachers; and Proposition 75, which would have restricted
union spending on political campaigns without member approval, were
also put on the ballot by the governor and remained close Tuesday
night but both ultimately failed to pass.
Proposition 73, another hotly contested initiative that would
have required parental notification before a minor could receive an
abortion, was also voted down Tuesday with 52.54 percent voting
“no.”
The remaining measures ““ Propositions 78, 79, and 80
““ all failed by significant margins.
When the governor announced the special election last January,
he heralded his propositions as the first steps toward healing an
ailing state.
But with millions of “no” votes, Californians told
the governor they did not believe his proposals were the answer to
the state’s problems.
In rejecting the propositions, voters also expressed their
disapproval of the entire special election, which polls have
repeatedly shown was opposed by many Californians.
According to the Secretary of State, 43 percent of registered
voters, or nearly 6.8 million Californians, turned in ballots for
Tuesday’s election.
The number was in line with predictions, and though small
compared to a national or gubernatorial election, was greater than
the previous no-candidate special election in 1993.
The special election has been described as a test for
Schwarzenegger’s administration ““ a test which he now
seems to have failed.
But with another year in office ahead of him and a possible
campaign for re-election, Schwarzenegger will have to reconcile
with some of the groups who he has alienated with the special
election such as unions and teachers.
In a speech Tuesday night, he recognized the need to negotiate
in the future.
“Tomorrow, we begin anew,” he said. “We are
going to go and find common ground.”
With reports from Bruin wire services.