California November elections

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November Ballot (voted absentee):

Thanks to the California electoral process, I get 5 pages (two-sided) of options to vote on, and 383 pages of nonpartisan electoral material to review to reach my decision.

Here is how I voted, and generally why:

Comments

Re: Election material

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Pretty clear yes.

Pages 6-12 are Ballot Measure Summaries. Two propositions, in columns, per page. They have: the Prop number; title; single paragraph summary; a "What Your Vote Means" section with Yes/No decision definitions; "Arguments" section Pro/Con with single-paragraph spacing, and room for a URL; and a "For Additional Information" For/Against where the position defender can identify themselves (or their organization) and include a physical or electronic mailing address.

Then there is a detailed summary for each proposition taking as many pages as required, as prepared by the Attorney General. There is the Proposition alphanumeric, title, and bullet point summary of its intent. There is a "Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact" and the "Final Votes Cast by the Legislature" on the proposition (Senate and Assembly, Ayes and Noes). Then the Legislative Analyst section includes Background, the Proposal, and then Fiscal Effects in slightly more detail (at least two paragraphs).

Then there is a 7-8 paragraph section for Argument in Favor (with a 33% of the page space for Rebuttal to that argument immediately below) on a page (or more), and an equal space for Argument Against (with an equal rebuttal space).

There is also a detailed section on the "Overview of State Bond Debt" prepared by the Legislative Analyst's Office on page 96-97, with a decent chart (% debt-service on Y axis, years on X axis; going back to 1985, projected forward to 2015-2016).

Then there is a separate section for Candidates running for office, with statement sections.

Then "Text of Proposed Laws" at the back, starting on page 114 through 189, going Proposition by proposition.

The local San Francisco ballot measures document is similarly organised.