Focus Shifts: All Eyes Focused on the November Ballot.

• Author: Fox, Jason
• Position: Capitol Beat - California ballot initiatives

With the conclusion of the Legislature's 2017-18 two-year session, the political world shifts focus to the November general election and CalCPA's grassroots program to stay ahead of the changing political landscape.

With this gube, natorial election, California will elect a new administration. Whether Gavin Ncwsom or John Cox is elected, both will be a significant shift from the Brown administration, which was a major influence on the policy priorities of the state over the last eight years.

In addition to governor, each constitutional office, all Assembly seats, and half of the Senate seats will be up for election--and will have a significant impact on the political balance in Sacramento.

Democrats are looking to achieve a supermajority in both legislative houses. This would allow them to pass legislation requiring a two-thirds vote--such as a tax increase--without support from Republicans.

The Democrats are favored to retain their supermajority--and potentially gain a scat or two--in the Assembly. Due to California's top-two primary system, where the top two winners in the primarv--regardless of party affiliation--advance to the general election. Democrats have already picked up a scat in the Assembly.

In Assembly District 76, incumbent Republican Rocky Chavez opted to run for Congress, which opened the door for two Democrats to make it to the general election.

After the recall of Democrat Sen. Josh Newman in June and the election of Republican Sen. Ling-Ling Chang to fill the seat, the Democrat's supermajority was effectively broken. Though the path for Democrats to regain a Senate supermajority lies in the 12th Senate District race.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Anthony Cannella has termed out and Madera County Supervisor Rob Poythress is in a tight race with Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Caballero. Their primary results had them almost dead even, so this will be a close race.

The return of a supermajority would allow for an easier path for progressive policies like major overhauls of the health and tax systems, transportation and other public works projects.

Ballot Initiatives

In addition to candidate elections, there will be several propositions on the ballot. Below are the propositions, as well as a short description for each. A more in-depth analysis can be found at the Legislative Analyst Office's website, https://lao.ea.gov/ballotanalysis/Propositiom, as well as official voter guides.

Propositions 1 and 2 were placed on the ballot by...