As of 12:30 a.m. today, some of California’s most-debated
ballot measures showed a margin too close to call.
The Rebuild California propositions ““ 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and
1E ““ were all passing, with 1C and 1D by only a few
percentage points. California’s controversial Proposition 85,
which would require parental notification for a minor to receive an
abortion, was failing by a similarly slim margin.
Proposition 1D, a bond measure focused on providing California
schools with funds to rebuild school structures and create school
programs, was one of the Rebuild California measures deemed too
close to call.
Gabe Rose, president of Bruin Democrats, said he believes
California voters were divided because the bond calls for a great
deal of California funds to be spent, but he said he believes the
bill will pass.
“People recognize that it’s important and that we
need the best quality schools. We need to make sure our schools
have all the resources they need,” he said.
California voters were also divided on Proposition 85. That
measure is similar to last year’s Proposition 73, which
voters rejected by a very narrow margin.
While voters seemed torn on the issue again this year, an
overwhelming majority of UCLA students voted not to pass
Proposition 85.
Rose said he believes UCLA students voted against the
proposition because they are in a position to fully understand the
consequences of passing such a bill.
“Young people really understand what it means to be forced
to communicate about issues they are not comfortable communicating.
Not passing the bill means allowing young girls to have the freedom
they deserve,” he said.
The proposition would require doctors to provide parents of
minors seeking abortions with written notification. Under special
circumstances, such as physical health concerns for the mother or a
court order forgoing parental consent, minors could go through with
the procedure without notifying their parents.
Supporters believe the proposition will facilitate family
communication and allow girls to have the support of their families
before making personal health decisions.
Jennifer Propper, marketing director for Bruin Republicans, said
she supported the bill. She said she believes many Californians do
not fully understand what the bill is proposing and emphasized that
the bill would only require parental notification, not consent.
Further, the notification can come from a doctor rather than the
young women themselves. She said she believes not passing the bill
would harm young women.
“Our laws as they stand now, without notification
measures, do not protect girls from abuse, but keep them in abusive
situations. What is the point of family, what is the point of
fighting for world peace if we have decided to declare war between
parents and child?” she said.
Opponents of the proposition, however, fear that requiring
parental notification would drive many young women to seek out
alternate, dangerous methods of having an abortion.
“I was most passionate about Proposition 85,” said
Marissa Lee, a third-year English student. “I would rather
young women seek out health care with confidentiality than be too
scared to seek it out at all,” she said.
Proposition 86, a suggested tax increase on cigarettes that was
intended to fund state health services, was also failing by a
similarly small margin.
Other propositions on the ballot were decided with wider
margins.
Proposition 83 passed with a significant majority.
As a result, the state will expand the definition of a violent
sex offender and increase penalties for violent and repeat sexual
offenders. Registered sex offenders will be prohibited from being
within 2,000 feet of any school or park grounds, and registered
felony sex offenders will be required to be monitored by GPS for
the rest of their lives.
The other bond measures that are a part of the Rebuild
California package were passing at press time. These propositions
will protect transportation-related taxes and funds, make highway
repairs and reduce air pollution, as well as rebuild
California’s flood structures and protect the water
supply.
Proposition 88, designed to raise funds for California schools
by imposing a flat-rate parcel tax on land in addition to the
property tax already paid, did not pass.
California voters did not pass Proposition 89, which would have
increased corporate taxes and made changes in California campaign
fundraising policy.
Voters also failed to pass Proposition 87, proposed to section
off funds to reduce petroleum consumption and promote research of
alternative energy sources.