California Proposition 41 (2002)
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California Proposition 41, also known as the Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002 or the Shelley-Hertzberg Act, was on the March 5, 2002 primary election ballot in California along with five other statewide ballot propositions. Proposition 41, a legislatively-referred bond measure, asked for $200 million to upgrade California voting systems with money raised through the sale of general obligation bonds. It was approved.
- Yes: 2,474,372 (51.6%)
- No: 2,325,348 (48.4%)
Ballot summary
The ballot summary prepared by the Attorney General of California said:
- This act is to ensure that every person's vote is accurately counted. It authorizes the issuance of state bonds allowing counties to purchase modern voting equipment and replace outdated punch card (chad) systems. This act provides for bonds in the amount of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) and appropriates money from the General Fund to pay off bonds.
Fiscal impact
The fiscal estimate provided by the California Legislative Analyst's Office said:
- State costs of about $255 million over ten years to pay off both the principal ($200 million) and interest ($55 million) costs of the bonds. Payments of about $26 million per year.
- One-time county costs of about $67 million statewide to match state funds.
- Additional annual county operating costs for new voting systems in the several tens of millions of dollars statewide.
Supporters
Prop. 41 was endorsed by the League of Women Voters of California, Congress of California Seniors, Assembly Majority Leader Kevin Shelley, and Secretary of State Bill Jones.[1].
Arguments for
- Prop. 41 would make sure that every vote is counted.
- Most of the systems currently used are decades old.[2]
- The flawed Florida voting systems of the 2002 presidential election warn that modern voting equipment is necessary to save a lot of time and hassle.[3].
Donors
The campaign to pass Proposition 41 raised $100,289 and spent $ 178,595 in support of Prop. 41.[4]. Some of the donors were:
- Sequoia Pacific Voting Equipment, Inc.
- Election Systems and Software
- Friends of Bob Hertzberg 40th Assembly District
- Steve Kirsch
- Democratic State Central Committee of CA
- Gladwell Governmental Services, Inc.
Opponents
Opponents of Prop. 41 included: Honorable Dennis Mountjoy, Member of the Assembly, 59th District; Jon Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; Lewis K. Uhler, President, National Tax Limitation Committee.
Arguments against
- New voting machines should be paid for with current tax dollars rather than by accumulating more debt and putting more pressure on taxpayers.[1]
Donors
There were no donors to the opposition campaign.[4]
External links
- Official text and other information from the California Secretary of State's Office
- "Prop. 41 would help counties oust punch-ballot machines", Union Tribune, Feb. 18, 2002
- Official Voter Guide
- Smart Voter information about Prop 41
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Proposition 41" from the "Smart Voter" website by the League of Women Voters
- ↑ "Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002 (Shelley-Hertzberg Act)" from the League of Women Voters of California
- ↑ "California Proposition Endorsements: March 5, 2002", Daily Nexus, March 4, 2002
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Top Ten Contributors to California Propositions", California Online Voter Guide 2002, March 1, 2002
