AIRAN SCRUBY
News Assistant
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a statewide special election in June, allowing Californians to vote on eight ballot measures to change state law.
Though elections are traditionally held in even-numbered years, and an election already is scheduled for June 2006, the governor said the issues presented in the special election are too pressing to be delayed.
The election is scheduled for Nov. 8 because some local elections were already planned for this date.
Schwarzenegger presented three propositions — 74, 75 and 76 — to the public when he announced the special election. Propositions 75 and 73 were added later to the ballot. California Democrats have introduced three more initiatives: Proposition 78, 79 and 80.
All eight initiatives on the ballot were placed there by a process in which Californians petition the government with signatures supporting measures to be voted on by the general public. These initiatives are given a simple yes or no vote by California’s voters, and a simple majority can confirm an initiative, which has become a proposition on the ballot, into law.
Voters had to register by Oct. 24, and absentee voters had to mail in an application that would arrive by Nov. 1. Voters can participate by voting on Election Day at a designated polling place, through absentee voting, or at their county elections office, beginning 29 days prior to the election and continuing through election day.
Spokespeople for both the College Republicans and the Young Democrats on campus encourage students to vote in the special election.
“The upcoming California special election is a good opportunity for all Californians, Republicans and Democrats, to voice their support or opposition to many of the propositions,” Young Democrats President Michael Wang said.
Katie Vaughn, President of the College Republicans, also supports the election and students’ right to vote.
The propositions on the ballot are crucial for the reforming of California. Moreover, I want to impress upon each Pepperdine student their responsibility, and more importantly, their right to vote,” Vaughn said. “Our right to vote is one the most sacred rights that every American has.”
11-03-2005