How to vote on California's propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot? We have suggestions

Proposition 1: $11.25 billion in housing bonds

Props. 1 and 37 are two very different housing bonds. California needs both

Proposition 4: Public campaign financing

A post-Citizens United world needs Prop. 4

Proposition 5: Reforming recall elections

A fix for California’s undemocratic recall loophole

Proposition 37: Middle-class homebuyer loans

Props. 1 and 37 are two very different housing bonds. California needs both

Proposition 38: $8.4-billion research bond

Prop. 38 is an unethical way to fund lifesaving medical research

Proposition 39: Voter ID and mail-in ballot changes

Proposition 39 is more than voter ID. It's about undermining California's mail ballots

Proposition 40: Billionaire tax

There's a smart way to tax billionaires. It isn't Prop. 40

Proposition 41: Tax audits

Propositions 41 and 42: The red herrings on the Nov. 3 ballot

Proposition 42: Banning new taxes on personal property

Propositions 41 and 42: The red herrings on the Nov. 3 ballot

Proposition 44: Safety-net clinic spending

Prop. 44 purports to improve healthcare. It could actually make it worse

Proposition 45: Modifying environmental review

California needs CEQA reform. Prop. 45 is the wrong way to do it

Coming soon

Proposition 2: Increasing California's rainy-day fund

Proposition 3: Extending the tax on high incomes

Proposition 43: Two-thirds vote requirement for increasing taxes

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Help us help Californians see through the election spin

I spent about 20 years writing newspaper election endorsements – for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Sacramento Bee and, most recently, the Los Angeles Times. It was time-consuming but meaningful work that helped generations of voters navigate the often-complicated and typically overcrowded California ballots. But as of last

Golden StateMariel Garza

Why is Nancy Pelosi fighting so hard in the race to replace her?

She has turned a routine succession into a test of her influence, judgment and legacy.

Golden StateMariel Garza

The L.A. Times’ undead ‘editorial board’ rises to go after Prop. 40

The billionaire-owned newspaper publishes its first editorial since March 2025 — despite not having any editorial writers — to oppose the billionaire tax. What gives?

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The threat to mail ballots is real. But California voters have options

A court battle over President Trump’s executive order on mail ballots could cause chaos before Nov. 3. Thankfully, state and local election officials are preparing.

Golden StateJoel Bellman

I was on the city charter commission. What is on the ballot is only light reform

Still, the six measures deserve attention, and one could directly improve everyday life in L.A.

Golden StateMona Field

Rob Bonta opposes voter ID. Just read his title for Prop. 39

The Democrat isn’t California’s first attorney general to write a ballot description that seems to favor one side. There’s a simple fix, but it would take another another ballot measure.

Golden StateMariel Garza

Sen. Alex Padilla and our most fundamental right

The son of immigrants from the San Fernando Valley had a personal story to tell when we met 20 years ago.

Golden StateDan Morain

Prop. 40 is the ‘tax-the-rich’ fight the billionaires feared

The one-time tax on California’s November ballot would do more than raise money. It could redefine how Americans think about extreme wealth.

Golden StateMariel Garza

Sales tax hikes had a great Election Day in L.A. County

Measure ER is passing in a squeaker, but sales tax increases are running the table in these eight L.A. County cities.

Golden StatePaul Thornton