The main component people think about when they hear an election is approaching is which candidates will be running for president. Although, there are also many other things to vote on this Nov. 3, such as propositions.
Some to keep an eye out for include: Proposition 16, 17 and 22.
Proposition 16 deals with affirmative action. Others may refer to this proposition as a way of undoing what is already in the Constitution of the United States and by allowing affirmative action, it creates its own bias or prejudice.
“Supporters of Proposition 16 argue the state needs to award more opportunities to minorities and women as a way to correct for centuries of economic and political privilege falling primarily on white men,” according to the CBS News 8 Team.
Proposition 16 would repeal Proposition 209 that was approved in 1996 which stated, “the government and public institutions cannot discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to persons on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting,” according to Kusi News.
American Civil Rights Institute Founder Ward Connerly expressed that “you don’t cure injustice by being unjust to other people.”
As stated in a Kusi News article, supporters of Proposition 16 include U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the Democratic nominee for U.S. vice president, Black Lives Matter movement co-founders, and politically liberal groups of all types. The campaign has raised $14 million, far more than the $1 million raised by opponents.”
Moving along to Proposition 17, this would give convicted felons the opportunity to vote while on parole.
This would reverse the ballot measure Californians passed in 1974 that allowed convicted felons to vote after having served their sentence and who were no longer on parole.
This proposition only applies to those who have not been convicted of perjury and bribery.
Those in favor of this proposition say that it will allow those on parole to have civic engagement which can prevent further crimes from occurring, according to CalMatters.
Some may feel that if those who have been convicted do the time and complete their sentence, it’s unfair to keep them from voting and participating in democracy until they finish parole, according to CalMatters.
On the other hand, people that do not agree with convicted felons of voting while on parole say that the purpose of them being on parole is to prove that they are rehabilitated, according to CalMatters.
In their eyes, it would not make sense to allow those on parole to vote because they haven’t fully proven themselves to society to show that they are no longer violent offenders, according to CalMatters.
“(The) Republican Party opposes Prop 17 because it would let criminals who are still serving their sentences for murder or for rape to actually vote and that’s a real slap in the face to the victims who have suffered so horribly,” said Gregory Gandrud, treasurer of the California Republican Party.
According to CalMatters, a list of those in favor include: League of Women Voters in California, Governor Gavin Newsom, Californians for Safety and Justice, and Democratic Assemblymember Kevin McCarty of Sacramento, who introduced the constitutional amendment.
Whereas those who negate this proposition include: Crime Victims United of California and the Election Integrity Project California.
Lastly comes along Proposition 22, which mainly discusses companies known as “gig companies” to provide for their workers as employees.
To further explain, those who work for these gig companies such as Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Postmates, Grubhub, Instacart and more are not considered as employees which takes away from the benefits an average employee receives.
What does that exactly look like? To answer one’s question, it is important to understand what benefits these workers are fighting to receive.
Some of these benefits include: minimum wage, paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, overtime pay, healthcare, and workers compensation.
These workers, who oppose this proposition, are arguing that they should be considered as employees rather than independent contractors so they can receive these basic rights.
“Keeping drivers as independent contractors is cheaper for the companies and also at the core of their business. They sold drivers on the idea of only working when they want to log on to the app,” according to the CBS News 8 Team.
Supporters of this proposition claim that because their workers are considered as independent contractors, they are able to keep the prices so low for consumers and it allows drivers to keep their flexible schedules.
Those supporting include: Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Police Chiefs Association and the California NAACP.
Those against include: Presidential Nominee Joe Biden, Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris, Service Employees International Union, California Teachers Association, and Gig Workers Rising which is a driver advocacy organization.
With the voting process now underway and Election Day approaching, it is important to read about these propositions, educate yourself on these propositions, and to vote on these propositions come Nov. 3.