• On May 19, 2009, Californians will have an opportunity to vote on six ballot initiatives to help the government struggle with their current budget over runs. It is unclear how much effect the passing of any or all of these propositions would have on the failing California budget. Polls say that all of the propositions are failing except for 1F.Ask Sierra Vista: A closer look at California Propositions 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F (May 18, 2009)

• 1. Polls open: 7 am to 8 pm
  2. Registered voters: 17.3 million (16.5 million in 2004)CA Secretary of State: Record Number of Registered Voters (October 31, 2008)
  3. Over 1 million people have registered to vote since September 5, 2008Mercury News: Voter Registration Sets Record (October 31, 2008)

• May 2009 Ballot Initiatives

  1. Proposition 1A: creates a state spending cap and increases "rainy day" fund from 5 to 12.5%Mercury News: In Calif., budget is in hands of angry electorate (May 18, 2009) California Secretary of State: Voter Information Guide
  2. Proposition 1B: requires supplemental payments to schools and community colleges to offset budget cuts California Secretary of State: Voter Information Guide
  3. Proposition 1C: authorizes higher payouts for the state lottery and allows the state to borrow $5 billion from future profitsMercury News: In Calif., budget is in hands of angry electorate (May 18, 2009) Ask Sierra Vista: A closer look at California Propositions 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F (May 18, 2009)
  4. Proposition 1D: temporarily transfer funds from the Children and Families health programsAsk Sierra Vista: A closer look at California Propositions 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F (May 18, 2009)
  5. Proposition 1E: Transfers money from mental health funding to general fundAsk Sierra Vista: A closer look at California Propositions 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F (May 18, 2009)
  6. Proposition 1F: Freeze legislator's salaries in years of fiscal emergencyAsk Sierra Vista: A closer look at California Propositions 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F (May 18, 2009)

• 2008 Presidential Elections

  1. Obama led McCain 56.1% to 37.1% going into election dayPollster.com: 2008 California Presidential General Election: McCain vs Obama
  2. 60% of voters picked "the economy" as their number 1 concernClusterstock: Voters Name Their Number One Issue (November 4, 2008)
  3. Democratic primary winner: Hillary Rodham Clinton
  4. Republican primary winner: John McCain
  5. Electoral votes: 55
  6. Winner 2004: John Kerry
  7. 2000: Al Gore
  8. 1996: Bill Clinton
  9. 1992: Bill Clinton

  In the 2008 presidential race, Democrat Barack Obama won California's 55 electoral votes. Obama had consistently led McCain in the state by approximately 25 points since they became the nominees of their respective parties.RealClearPolitics: California: McCain vs. Obama

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