California special election, 2005

The California special election of 2005 was held on November 8, 2005 after being called by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 13, 2005.

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ElectionsCAThe California special election of 2005 was held on November 8, 2005 after being called by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 13, 2005. California voters rejected all eight ballot propositions. Propositions 73, 76, and 77 were initiative constitutional amendments while the others were initiative statutes. The election was believed to have been the most expensive in California history. Special interest groups spent hundreds of millions of dollars on gathering signatures and advertising for this election.

Schwarzenegger called the election to allow voters to decide on propositions regarding teacher tenure requirements (Proposition 74), the use of union dues for political campaign contributions (Proposition 75), state budgetary spending limits (Proposition 76), and redistricting (Proposition 77). Schwarzenegger originally proposed a fifth proposition on the issue of public pension, but dropped that proposition amid criticism that the proposition would eliminate death benefits to widows of police and firefighters who died in the line of duty [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/04/08/MNGLFC57T61.DTL Governor gives up on overhaul of public pensions] ] The four propositions that made it to the ballot eventually came to be known as Governor Schwarzenegger's Reform Agenda. The Governor claimed his agenda would clear the way for correction of the problems he was elected to solve.

Four other propositions appeared on the ballot because they qualified for the next statewide elections. The four other propositions were:
* "Proposition 73": Parental notification for abortions by minors (
* "Proposition 78": A proposition on prescription drugs put by the pharamceutical industry
* "Proposition 79": A proposition on prescription drugs put by consumer groups in response to Proposition 78
* "Proposition 80": Electric industry regulation

Final Results

Results

Proposition 75: Union Dues - Political Contributions

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Prohibits public employee labor organizations from using dues or fees for political contributions unless the employee provides prior consent each year on a specified written form. Prohibition does not apply to dues or fees collected for charitable organizations, health care insurance, or other purposes directly benefiting the public employee. Requires labor organizations to maintain and submit to the Fair Political Practices Commission records concerning individual employees' and organizations' political contributions; those records are not subject to public disclosure.

Opinion Polls

Results

Proposition 78: Drug Discounts

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Establishes discount prescription drug program, overseen by the Department of Health Services. Enables certain low - and moderate - income California residents to purchase prescription drugs at reduced prices. Imposes $15 application fee, renewable annually. Requires Department's prompt determination of residents' eligibility, based on listed qualifications. Authorizes Department to contract with pharmacies to sell prescription drugs at agreed-upon discounts negotiated in advance, and to negotiate rebate agreements with drug manufacturers. Permits outreach programs to increase public awareness. Creates state fund for deposit of rebate payments from drug manufacturers. Allows program to be terminated under specified conditions.

Opinion Polls

Results

References

External links

Academic institutions

* [http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/htSpecialElection2005.html Nov. 8, 2005 California Ballot Propositions, Institute of Governmental Studies Library, UC Berkeley California]

Government agencies

* [http://vote2005.ss.ca.gov/ Official election results]

Independent sites

* [http://www.votecircle.com VoteCircle.com Non-partisan resources & vote sharing network for Californians]
* [http://www.rtumble.com Rough and Tumble]
* [http://www.California-Politics.com California Politics, The Capitol Insiders Forum]
* [http://www.pollingpoint.com/results_103105.html Latest results from PollingPoint]

Affiliated sites

* [http://www.joinarnold.com/ Join Arnold - Vote Yes]
* [http://betterca.com/ Alliance for a Better California - Vote No]

ee also