LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
State of California March 5, 2002 Election
Proposition 41
Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002

Shelley-Hertzberg Act

2,474,372 / 51.6% Yes votes ...... 2,325,348 / 48.4% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Yes/No Meaning | Official Information | Arguments |

Should the state borrow $200 million ($200,000,000) through the sale of general obligation bonds to assist counties in the purchase of updated voting systems?

Summary Prepared by the State Attorney General:
This act is to ensure that every person's vote is accurately counted. It authorizes the issuance of state bonds allowing counties to purchase modern voting equipment and replace outdated punch card (chad) systems. This act provides for bonds in the amount of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) and appropriates money from the General Fund to pay off bonds.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:
• State costs of about $255 million over ten years to pay off both the principal ($200 million) and interest ($55 million) costs of the bonds. Payments of about $26 million per year.

• One-time county costs of about $67 million statewide to match state funds.

• Additional annual county operating costs for new voting systems in the several tens of millions of dollars statewide.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
The state could sell $200 million in bonds to assist counties with the purchase of new voting systems.

A NO vote of this measure means:
The state could not sell $200 million in bonds for this purpose.

Official Sources of Information
Arguments Submitted to the Secretary of Statethe Secretary of State

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 41:
Proposition 41 will modernize all of California's antiquated voting machines with new high tech voting machines to ensure that every vote is counted. Proposition 41 is endorsed by the League of Women Voters of California, Congress of California Seniors, Assembly Majority Leader Kevin Shelley, and Secretary of State Bill Jones.

For more information, see full Arguments & Rebuttals

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 41:
Proposition 41 is another debt for Californians to pay. We should pay for new voting machines with current tax collections rather than increase our debt and interest payments. Californians cannot and should not assume more debt. Politicians should spend wisely, not keep asking us to shoulder more debt.

For more information, see full Arguments & Rebuttals

Contact FOR Proposition 41:
Robert Barnes or Mark Capitolo; Yes on Prop. 41

1121 L Street, Suite 401; Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-325-8600; mail@41-yes.org http://www.41-yes.org

Contact AGAINST Proposition 41:
Honorable Dennis Mountjoy; Member of the Assembly

P.O. Box 877; Monrovia, CA 91017; 626-357-8237; dmountjoy59@aol.com

  Official Information

Secretary of State

Legislative Analysts's Office Nonpartisan Information

League of Women Voters

California Voter Foundation Events

KQED-FM 88.5 Public Radio

  • Discussion of Prop 41 - RealAudio archive of Forum program aired 2/28/02 (30 min) hosted by Michael Krasny. Guests: Caputolo, Uhler.
    (Opens in new window). Part of KQED.org election coverage
News and Analysis

Orange County Register

Riverside Press-Enterprise San Diego Union-Tribune Ventura County Star
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