Ballot Recommendations from the League of Women Voters California
The League of Women Voters can advocate for or against issues and policies in the public interest which are consistent with our positions and have been thoroughly studied. At election time, this advocacy is kept separate from our voter education work where the League provides nonpartisan information to the public through candidate forums and unbiased ballot measure analysis. The League does not support or oppose candidates or political parties.
This year, the LWVC has taken positions on two of the seven state propositions.
PROP 1: REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court held that the U.S. Constitution does not protect the right to abortion. While access to abortion is no longer federally protected and is under attack across the country, we can safeguard access in California. Proposition 1 will amend the California Constitution to enshrine the fundamental right to choose an abortion, use or refuse contraceptives (birth control), and make individual decisions on reproductive health. These rights are consistent with existing state laws and our state constitutional rights to privacy and equal protection.
PROP 31: YES OR NO TO BANNING FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
In 2020, California passed a law banning the in-person sale of flavored tobacco products, like candy-flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes, at stores and vending machines. Sellers violating the law would be subject to criminal misdemeanor prosecution. A YES vote on Prop 31 is a vote to keep the ban in place. More than two million middle and high school students in the U.S. use e-cigarettes which deliver large doses of addictive nicotine. In California, 96 percent of high school e-cigarette users choose flavored products.
The LWVC was either "Neutral" or took "No Position" on the other five propositions. To read about all seven decisions read: LWVC Ballot Recommendations