California Voters Face 14 Statewide Measures Amid Debate Over Direct Democracy's Effectiveness
California voters will decide on 14 statewide propositions in November, covering topics from immunology research to billionaire taxes. While polls show high confusion and overwhelm, the state remains the nation's leader in ballot initiatives, with nearly $1.9 billion spent on campaigns between 2020 and 2024. Experts debate whether this system empowers citizens or serves wealthy interests, noting that initiatives boost turnout but may not increase voter efficacy.