Partisan Ballot Endorsements: A Short Sampling

The California Secretary of State‘s website carries a complete list of candidates and descriptions of state ballot measures, including their pro and con arguments. Below is a sampling of six partisan organizations with summaries of their positions: California Labor Federation, Lincoln Club of Orange County, League of Conservation Voters, Tea Party, Courage Campaign’s Progressive Scorecard and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.

We’ve left the groups’ descriptions of ballot measures to give readers a flavor of their perspectives.

(Note: This piece is strictly informational. Frying Pan News is not offering endorsements.)

1. California Labor Federation

Unique Feature: Provides links to county labor federations and their local endorsements.

For President: Barack Obama

Ballot Measures

Proposition 30 Prevents school cuts.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 31 Puts worker safety and environmental protections at risk.
Recommend: Vote NO

Proposition 32 Special Exemptions Act
Recommend: Vote NO

Proposition 33 Favors auto insurance companies over consumers.
Recommend: Vote NO

Proposition 34 Death penalty sentencing reform.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 35 Human trafficking penalties.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 36 Three Strikes revision.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 37 Genetically engineered food labeling.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 38 State income tax increase.
Recommend: Vote NO

Proposition 39  Funds clean energy jobs, closes corporate tax loophole.
Recommend: Vote YES

Proposition 40 Upholds redistricting of State Senate districts.
Recommend: Vote YES

2. Lincoln Club of Orange County

Unique feature: The Lincoln Club tailors its endorsements to answer five questions about ballot measures, leading with, “Will the proposal increase or decrease individual liberty?”

For President: Mitt Romney

STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES

Prop. 30 – Gov. Brown Tax Increase: NO
Prop. 31 – Budget Reform: YES
Prop. 32 – Stop Special Interest Money: YES
Prop. 33 – Auto Insurance: YES
Prop. 34 – Death Penalty Repeal: NO
Prop. 35 – Human Trafficking: YES
Prop. 36 – Three Strikes “Reform”: NO
Prop. 37- Genetically engineered foods: NO
Prop. 38 – Munger Tax Increase: NO
Prop. 39 – Tax Increase for Multi-State Businesses: NO
Prop. 40 – Senate Redistricting: YES

3. League of Conservation Voters

Unique feature: Local league endorsements are made independently of the national body.

For President: Barack Obama

Ballot Measures

Yes on Prop 30

A YES vote protects public schools and public safety throughout California, and prevents further cuts in state environmental funding.

No on Prop 31

A NO vote prevents local governments from overriding state laws and regulations that protect the environment and public health.

No on Prop 32
A NO vote stops multi-national corporations from buying political influence while silencing other voices.

Yes on Prop 37
A YES vote requires manufacturers to label genetically engineered foods.

Yes on Prop 39
A YES vote makes corporations pay their fair share while supporting investments to make our economy stronger and greener, and our air cleaner.

4. Tea Party

Unique feature: Ends its voting appeal with “Huzzah!”

For President: Mitt Romney

STATE PROPOSITIONS

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 30: TAXES

Jerry Brown’s tax increase. This money will go to union pensions, not our children.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 31: STATE BUDGET

Loss of control endangers our city. Pools resources among cities.

VOTE YES – PROPOSITION 32: LABOR

Bans Corporate & Union contributions to local and state candidates.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 33: CAR INSURANCE

Allows insurance companies to raise rates while purporting to lower rates for good drivers. Don’t be fooled!

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 34: DEATH PENALTY

Ends the death penalty. This is truly a moral judgment. Suggest a NO vote.

VOTE YES – PROPOSITION 35: HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Increases prison terms for human trafficking and sex slavery. Requires registration as sex offender, and disclosure of internet accts.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 36: THREE STRIKES

The 3 strikes law is a serious deterrent. Prosecutors already have discretion over charges.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 37: FOOD LABLES

Increases bureaucracy in food production and adds costly litigation.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 38: TAXES

Increases State taxes on anyone making $7,316.00 and above annually.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 39: TAXES

Makes bad law worse. Adds to cost of inter- net purchases.

VOTE NO – PROPOSITION 40: REDISTRICTING

5. Courage Campaign’s Progressive Scorecar

Although this handy anthology displaying the recommendations of several progressive groups only includes state ballot initiatives, it doesn’t take a wild guess to figure out how their constituent members will vote in the presidential race.

Sample Group (Courage Campaign): Yes on Props 30, 34-37 and 39. No on Props 31-33; no decision on Props 38 and 40.

6. California Rifle and Pistol Association

This obscure but influential group offers a somewhat eccentric list of endorsements. While CRPA weighs in on some statewide and Congressional races, it’s mum on the presidential campaign. (The National Rifle Association, which doesn’t comment on statewide election issues, does have something to say about that, however.) And, while CRPA is ready with endorsements for supervisorial seats in, say, El Dorado County, it similarly remains silent on state ballot proposals.

Unique Feature: Vets candidates through a rather involved grading system based on their position on gun ownership and hunting. Good for a chuckle.