California voters have several propositions to consider in the November 2022 election. Some initiatives, particularly sports betting, are getting much more notice than others. Still, all are important issues, and SCNG’s Editorial Board has weighed in with their endorsements.
Having trouble deciphering California’s state-wide ballot propositions? Here’s how our editorial board thinks you should vote and why.
Related: Our full list of 2022 election endorsements
Proposition 26 and 27
While the Editorial Board strongly supports the legalization of online sports gaming, both Propositions 26 and 27 are not the ways to make it happen. Here are the specifics on why we’re recommending a “No” vote on both:
Proposition 28
Arts and music education should be important priorities for K-12 public schools – and Proposition 28 provides both the funding and transparency regarding how that money will be spent, says the Editorial Board.
Proposition 29
Another election and yet another initiative about staffing levels at dialysis clinics. The California Medical Association and patient groups oppose Proposition 29 – as does the SCNG Editorial Board.
Proposition 30
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Republican Party are both united against Proposition 30 – so it’s clearly a problematic measure, which hides behind some legitimate issues. The Editorial Board joins this chorus of opposition.
Proposition 31
America’s experience with prohibiting substances isn’t wise or effective, and the Editorial Board recommends a “No” vote on Proposition 31 to overturn an unnecessary 2-year-old law. Other tobacco laws already on the books make sales to minors illegal.
Sourcing & Methodology
To help you make decisions about the numerous candidates, measures, propositions and other races on your ballot, our editorial board (made up of opinion writers and editors), makes recommendations every election. The process is completely separate from newsroom reporting and journalists. With the exception of our executive editor, the members of our editorial board are not news reporters or editors.
Sal Rodriguez, the opinion editor for the Southern California News Group’s 11 newspapers, heads the editorial board and guides our stances on public policy and political matters.
Every week, our team analyzes legislation, monitors political developments, interviews elected officials or policy advocates and writes editorials on the issues of the day. Unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of our editorial board, with the aim of offering arguments that are empirically sound and intellectually consistent.
We apply this same process when considering to endorse candidates.
As a practical matter, we are selective in which races we endorse in. We endorse on all statewide ballot measures, competitive congressional races, select races for the state legislature and select countywide and city elections.
We identify credible candidates through surveys and interviews, deliberate based on our editorial precedent and in light of contemporary realities, and issue endorsements accordingly.
