Special election date nears

On Tuesday, voters will decide on 8 state initiatives and 4 county measures.A special statewide election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters will be asked to decide on eight statewide ballot measures and four county measures concerning a variety of issues, from abortion to union dues to allocation of sales taxes for public safety.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

For polling place information, call (714) 567-7600 or visit www.ocvote.com.

STATEWIDE MEASURES:

Proposition 73, Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy, would amend the state constitution to require a 48-hour waiting period and parental notification before termination of a minor’s pregnancy, with an exception for certain medical emergencies.

Proposition 74, Public School Teacher Permanent Status, would increase the probationary period for public school teachers from two to five years and modify the process by which school boards can dismiss a teacher.

Proposition 75, Public Employee Union Dues, would prohibit the use of public employee union dues for political contributions without individual prior consent of the employee.

Proposition 76, Spending and School Funding, would limit state spending to the prior year’s level plus three previous years’ average revenue growth, and also change minimum school funding requirements. It would also allow the governor to reduce school budget appropriations.

Proposition 77, Redistricting, would require a three-member panel of retired judges selected by legislative leaders to conduct redistricting the state senate, assembly, congressional and board of equalization districts.

Proposition 78, Prescription Drugs, would enact a discount prescription drug program for certain low and moderate-income residents and authorize the health department to contract with pharmacies for discounts and with drug manufacturers for rebates.

Proposition 78, Prescription Drug Discounts and Rebates, would provide drug discounts to qualifying residents, funded by drug manufacturer rebates negotiated by the state; and would prohibit Medi-Cal contracts with manufacturers not providing the best price.

Proposition 80, Electric Service Providers, would subject electricity utilities to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission, and restrict customers’ ability to switch from private utilities to other providers.

COUNTY MEASURES:

Measure B, Public Safety Sales Tax Ordinance, would require the county’s Proposition 172 sales tax revenues be allocated only to the county probation department, sheriff-coroner, district attorney and lifeguards.

Measure C, Homeland Infrastructure Ordinance, would shift $10 million of Prop. 172 sales tax revenues from the coroner and district attorney to the homeland security infrastructure fund.

Measure D, Initiative Reallocating Prop. 172 Funds, would shift a portion of Prop. 172 sales tax revenues from the sheriff-coroner and district attorney to the county fire authority, which serves 43% of the county’s population, but not Laguna Beach.

Measure E, Reallocate Prop. 172 Funds Monitoring Juvenile Offenders, would shift 5% of Prop. 172 sales tax revenues from the sheriff-coroner and district attorney to the county probation department.