About the vote count
As you watch these results, keep in mind:
- There more more than 22.6 million registered voters in California.
- In 2020, the last presidential election, more than 16.1 million Californians cast a ballot.
Get full results:
Keep in mind that in tight races the winner may not be determined for days or weeks after Election Day. This is normal. Here's why.
In California, ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 5 are counted toward the results as long as they arrive within seven days of the election. The California Secretary of State's Office is scheduled to certify the final vote on Dec. 13.
What is at stake in this race
This proposition removes stray language in the state constitution that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. While that language isn’t legally enforceable anymore, it’s a preemptive move to safeguard LGBTQ+ marriages amid concerns the U.S. Supreme Court could change things in the future. The measure also declares marriage is a fundamental right.
Why this race mattered
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in the U.S. since 2015, after the Supreme Court made its historic ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. In California, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013.
But some are concerned the Supreme Court could seek to undo its 2015 ruling. If that happens, what’s in California’s state constitution would become extremely important.
Currently it includes language which says marriage is solely between a man and a woman. It’s leftover from Prop 8, which banned same-sex marriages in 2008. While that was rejected by a higher court in 2013, supporters of Prop 3 are worried it could spring back into effect and have been pushing to have it removed.
Opponents argue that Prop 3 is an “extreme amendment,” which, by describing marriage as a fundamental right, removes all limits on marriage, including between children and close relatives. (Prop. 3 does not change who can marry in California, according to the state Legislative Analyst’s Office.)
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Scott Schmerelson was unanimously elected Tuesday to lead the LAUSD board after defeating a well-funded challenger in November’s election. -
Nguyen was able to take office weeks early to fill the vacancy caused Do’s resignation. -
Nathan Hochman succeeds George Gascón, known as the godfather of progressive prosecutors.
Follow the money
Go deeper on the issues
- Californians to vote on removing language from state constitution to protect LGBTQ+ marriage equality
- Newsom urges California voters to protect same-sex marriage amid Supreme Court distrust
- Some conservatives are accepting defeat on marriage equality. Here’s why.
