California Secretary of State official announcements

California Voters Pass Proposition 36 with Over 70% Support to Toughen Criminal Sentencing Laws

Nov 11, 2024, 08:45 PM

Proposition 36 passed with over 70% of the vote in California, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with lenient criminal-sentencing laws. The measure, which received significant support even in liberal San Francisco, aims to toughen the state's criminal justice policies. The 2024 election cycle highlighted a broader shift in voter sentiment against progressive crime policies, which many believe have led to public safety issues. Left-wing prosecutors faced significant electoral losses as voters expressed their frustration with rising crime rates. Critics also pointed to the roles of Governor Gavin Newsom and former Governor Jerry Brown in disenfranchising voters.