Measure would put signature initiatives on November elections
by Brian Leubitz
First, let’s say one thing, SB 202 is not a simple stroke of genius that makes initiatives all of a sudden a great system. But, it is a fair reform that lets the full electorate vote on important measures.
In short, SB 202 moves all future (so doesn’t apply to measures already qualified for the ballot) initiatives placed on the ballot through signatures to general elections. In other words, gubernatorial and presidential elections.
Of course, the Right is pretty livid about this, as this June was going to be their dream election to put a bunch of right-wing crap on the ballot. With low turnout on the Democratic side, we would basically have the electorate of Arizona or something.
You can read Governor Brown’s signing message for SB 202 here or below the fold. He refers to a rainy day fund measure that will be on the ballot that is moved by SB 202, in the context of wanting to avoid putting additional money into a bank account when we are broke. (Makes sense, huh?)
In other news, the Governor also approved finally allowing people to register to vote online. Which, if you think about it makes perfect sense. So, apparently Jerry has some of that common sense thing. Hooray!
I have to say that governor Brown made the right call on this one. Sure the Republicans will complain but they are going to do that no matter what Brown does. There is no upside to trying to work with them. They won’t comprise on revenue (even to the extent of the single sales factor). Personally I’d prefer if we could devolve most taxing authority and revenue to the counties (each county sets rates itself). Let the red areas of the state decide if they like living in their low tax / services paradise without impacting the rest of us.
will increase election fraud.