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
California Proposition 6 would change the state constitution to ban state prisons from forcing incarcerated people to work against their will.
It is intended to end the last remaining exception in state law to forced labor — as punishment for a crime — which has existed since California joined the union in 1850.
Prop. 6 also would prohibit state authorities from punishing incarcerated people who decline to work, while still allowing them to choose to work to earn so-called good-time credits, which can reduce the amount of time they serve behind bars.
Why this race mattered
Prop. 6 is one of several bills that was prioritized by the California Legislative Black Caucus as part of its reparations package — all aimed at recognizing the need to right the wrongs done to Black Californians, especially those who are descendants of enslaved people.
The recommendation to end forced labor in California prisons comes out of the California Reparations Task Force. Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, called for “a comprehensive approach to dismantling the legacy of slavery and systemic racism.”
Prop. 6 is seen as part of that dismantling.
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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
It’s unclear how much Prop. 6 would cost the criminal justice system, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office. The state could end up paying incarcerated people more money in order to encourage them to work, increasing costs.
California could also encourage people to work by offering more time credits, which might reduce overall prison costs.
Either way, the cost would likely not exceed "tens of millions of dollars each year,” the Legislative Analyst’s Office said.
