2008 Woodie Awards
The election is on November 8. Go out and VOTE!
Brandon Biegert
Issue date: 10/28/05 Section: Opinion
Next month Californians will be heading to the polls again, this time for a special election the governor has been pushing hard. We will be asked to vote on eight propositions, most of which are part of the governor's reform agenda.
Since most people don't have time to sufficiently research and understand each ballot initiative, here is a summary of the propositions that will appear on the November ballot:
Proposition 73 would amend California's constitution, requiring parental notification 48 hours before a physician can perform an abortion on an unemancipated minor. The only exceptions would be if the minor obtained a court order, or if the situation was a medical emergency.
Supporters of 73 say it is the right of parents to counsel their children before and after such a procedure. The current system allows teenagers to receive an abortion without the parents ever finding out.
Opponents of 73 point out that not all young girls are in a safe family environment, and that mandatory parental notification can, as it has in other states, put pregnant teens in abusive situations. If a pregnant teen is in an environment where she is afraid to tell her parents, there is probably cause for that fear.
The bottom line is Californians should vote "NO" on 73. It does nothing to ease the difficulty for young pregnant women, and increases the risk of abuse.
Proposition 77 amends the state constitution's process for drawing legislative districts. It shifts the responsibility for redistricting from the legislature to a panel of three retired judges.
Supporters of 77 say it will help guarantee fair and competitive elections by removing the power to draw districts from the politicians. The current system is set up so that legislators, who draw their own districts, are too secure in their jobs and do not have to worry about real challenges to their office.
Opponents of 77 point out voters would lose their right to reject new districts before they were finalized. Since it is an amendment to the state constitution, it could not be easily withdrawn if it did not work.
Since most people don't have time to sufficiently research and understand each ballot initiative, here is a summary of the propositions that will appear on the November ballot:
Proposition 73 would amend California's constitution, requiring parental notification 48 hours before a physician can perform an abortion on an unemancipated minor. The only exceptions would be if the minor obtained a court order, or if the situation was a medical emergency.
Supporters of 73 say it is the right of parents to counsel their children before and after such a procedure. The current system allows teenagers to receive an abortion without the parents ever finding out.
Opponents of 73 point out that not all young girls are in a safe family environment, and that mandatory parental notification can, as it has in other states, put pregnant teens in abusive situations. If a pregnant teen is in an environment where she is afraid to tell her parents, there is probably cause for that fear.
The bottom line is Californians should vote "NO" on 73. It does nothing to ease the difficulty for young pregnant women, and increases the risk of abuse.
Proposition 77 amends the state constitution's process for drawing legislative districts. It shifts the responsibility for redistricting from the legislature to a panel of three retired judges.
Supporters of 77 say it will help guarantee fair and competitive elections by removing the power to draw districts from the politicians. The current system is set up so that legislators, who draw their own districts, are too secure in their jobs and do not have to worry about real challenges to their office.
Opponents of 77 point out voters would lose their right to reject new districts before they were finalized. Since it is an amendment to the state constitution, it could not be easily withdrawn if it did not work.