Proposition 32 | californiachoices.org

My vote

Proposition 32 prohibits unions, corporations, and government contractors from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. It prohibits union and corporate contributions to candidates and their committees, and government contractor contributions to elected officers or their committees.

Official Election Results:

Yes: 5,400,218 [43.4%]
No: 7,043,917 [56.6%]

See Endorsements for Proposition 32

Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Proponents of Prop. 32 believe that unions and corporate donors are special interests and should not be permitted to donate to political campaigns. They say that Prop. 32 will bar them from contributing with no exception. They also claim that the measure will bar contractors from contributing to politicians who approve their contracts.

Supporters

Stop Special Interest Money Now

Con:

Opponents of Prop. 32 claim that it will unfairly bar contributions by unions since it allows business Super PACs and independent expenditure committees to still contribute. They believe that the measure is largely supported by big businesses who will not be subject to its restrictions.

Opponents

No on Proposition 32

In Depth

Proposition 32 would alter California's campaign finance and disclosure laws by restricting state and local campaign spending by corporations, government contractors, or unions. Money deducted from an employee's paycheck would be barred from use for political purposes such as political contributions. Unions would still be permitted to use payroll deductions to pay for other union activities such as collective bargaining and spending on federal political campaigns.

Unions and corporations would be prohibited from making political contributions to either candidates or committees that make contributions to candidates. Proposition 32 would also create limits to contributions to elected officials by government contractors. Contractors could not contribute to any elected officials who play a role in awarding their contracts during the period that the contract is being considered until the contract's expiration date.

Polling

Field Poll Release #2432, November 2, 2012
“Prop. 32 (payroll deductions for political contributions) opposed by a wide margin.”

California Business Roundtable / Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Initiative Survey Series, Oct. 30, 2012

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and their Government, October, 2012

"When read the ballot title and label for Proposition 32, 39 percent say they would vote yes, 53 percent would vote no, and 7 percent are undecided."

Reason-Rupe Public Opinion Survey, October 11th-15th, 2012 (pg. 3)
"Proposition 32 is called the “Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction, Contributions to Candidates Initiative” and it prohibits unions, corporations, and government contractors from donating to political candidates and from deducting money from workers’ paychecks to use for political purposes. If the election were today, would you vote yes or no on Prop. 32?"

California Business Roundtable / Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Initiative Survey Series, Oct. 11, 2012

Field Poll Release #2426, September 21, 2012
“No side leads 44% to 38% on Prop. 32.”

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and their Government, September, 2012

"When read the Proposition 32 ballot title and label, 42 percent of likely voters say they would vote yes, 49 percent would vote no, and 9 percent are undecided.

California Business Roundtable and Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, Sept. 2012

Voter Resources

Official CA Documents

Official Voter Information Guide

Campaign Finance Information

Cal-Access Check out how much money is being raised and spent to pass or defeat this measure, and where the money is coming from.

Cal-Access Ballot Measure Summary Data Search Select "General 06 November 2012" and "Proposition 032" from the drop-down menus. Cal-Access provides financial information supplied by state candidates, donors, lobbyists, and others.