Election Results Are In: But What Do They Mean for California?

The election results are in, and we are reflecting on the outcomes of key state propositions and their implications for our communities across the Bay Area. While some successes bring hope and progress, others remind us of the work that still needs to be done—changing hearts and minds is, well… not for the faint of heart.

Here is a snapshot of the results so far for the measures we were following closely:

Prop 2: A Victory for Our Schools

Result: PASS

It’s time to raise the roof on California schools! The passage of Prop 2 ensures that schools across the state will have access to $10 billion in funding for critical repairs and improvements to K-12 schools and community colleges.

This bond will be distributed as matching funds, requiring local school districts to pass their own school bonds to leverage these additional resources. Of the total, $8.5 billion will go to K-12 schools, with $1.5 billion allocated to community colleges. This investment addresses a pressing need: nearly 38% of California students currently attend schools that don’t meet minimum facility standards. After a similar $15 billion bond failed in 2020, Prop 2’s success is a crucial step toward ensuring safe and functional learning environments for our students.

Prop 3: Marriage Equality Secured

Result: PASS

Marriage equality is now enshrined in California’s constitution. Prop 3’s passage ensures that our state will continue to recognize same-sex marriages, even if federal protections are ever overturned.

By removing language in the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman, Prop 3 cements California’s commitment to equality. This decision reflects the overwhelming support of voters and places California among the growing number of states that have taken similar steps to safeguard marriage rights for all.

Prop 5: A Setback for Affordable Housing

Result: DID NOT PASS

Prop 5 sought to lower the voter threshold for passing local housing bonds, making it easier for communities to invest in affordable housing. Its failure leaves the current two-thirds supermajority requirement in place, allowing a minority of voters to block critical investments in housing and infrastructure.

United Way Bay Area stands with the broad coalition that supported Proposition 5 and every voter who sought to empower communities to respond to their housing needs. Though this outcome is disappointing, we are resolute in our mission. We remain committed to building a future where every Bay Area resident has access to safe, stable, affordable housing, and we will persist in our efforts to bring that vision to life. 

Read more about UWBA CEO Keisha Browder’s response to the outcome here.

Prop 6: Continuing the Fight Against Involuntary Servitude

Result: DID NOT PASS

The defeat of Proposition 6 in California maintains the constitutional allowance of involuntary servitude as punishment for crime, perpetuating forced labor in prisons and jails. This delays necessary reforms aimed at upholding human dignity and improving rehabilitation outcomes for incarcerated individuals.

Voluntary work programs have been demonstrated to help people gain valuable job skills and prepare for reintegration into society. Without these reforms, opportunities for meaningful rehabilitation and successful reentry into communities remain limited, perpetuating cycles of incarceration and economic hardship.

Prop 32: Continuing to watch

Result: DID NOT PASS

Voters shot down Prop 32, which would have raised the minimum wage to $18/hr.  ($37,440 a year) [GC1] over 2 years. Prop 32 utilized a two-tiered phase system to allow small businesses (25 or fewer employees) more time to catch up to the new wage. Without Prop 32, minimum wage workers can expect to make $17/hr under existing minimum wage laws. $17 an hour roughly only equates to $35,360 a year. Our Real Cost Measure indicates that to make a living wage in the Bay Area, a typical family of four with two young children would need a household income of $122,663 to make ends meet in the region.

Minimum-wage workers are rarely given full-time hours, making their incomes variable and well below the income needed to survive in the Bay Area. Service workers are the backbone of our society and deserve to make living wages. We hope to see meaningful increases in the minimum wage in the future to reflect the value of service work and meet the economic needs of low-wage workers.

Looking Ahead

While these results mark significant turning points, they also highlight areas where we must continue to advocate for change. At United Way Bay Area, we unapologetically fight for equity and policies that benefit all individuals and families, empowering them to gain a stronger economic foothold as they work to get ahead.

If you read our 2024 Voter Guide, you know this means we advocate for expanding proven poverty-fighting measures like tax credits, increased funding for information and referral systems like 211, and developing more affordable housing. It also means we support measures that ensure equality and dignity for all our Bay Area residents, such as marriage equality, reproductive rights, and new library construction.

We will continue to push for policies that boldly prioritize people over profits. We remain unwavering in our commitment to human rights and dignity for all. We stand with and within our communities, advocating daily for solutions to some of the Bay Area’s most challenging issues. None of that is new. We have held to our values for over 100 years, believing there is room for everyone at the table. It is who we are and who we will remain. It is not a matter of politics; it is a matter of principle.

Together, we can shape a future where every Bay Area resident has the stability and opportunity they deserve