November 2008 California elections Registered 17,304,091[1] Turnout 79.42% (pp )[1]
The California state elections, November 2008 were held on November 4, 2008 throughout California . Among the elections taking place were those for the office of President of the United States , all the seats of California's delegation to the House of Representatives , all of the seats of the State Assembly , and all of the odd-numbered seats of the State Senate . Twelve propositions also appeared on the ballot. Numerous local elections also took place throughout the state.[2] [3]
United States House of Representatives
All 53 seats of the United States House of Representatives in California were up for election. Before and after the election, 34 seats were under Democratic control and 19 were under Republican control.
United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2008[4]
Party
Votes
Percentage
Seats
+/–
Democratic
7,380,825
59.90%
34
0
Republican
4,515,925
36.65%
19
0
Libertarian
220,118
1.79%
0
0
Independent
90,340
0.73%
0
0
Green
60,926
0.49%
0
0
Peace and Freedom
47,659
0.39%
0
0
American Independent
6,286
0.05%
0
0
Valid votes
12,322,079
89.66%
—
—
Invalid or blank votes
1,421,098
10.34%
—
—
Totals
13,743,177
100.00%
53
—
Voter turnout
79.42%
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of California's bicameral State Legislature . There are a total of 40 seats and only the 20 odd-numbered ones were up for election. The Democratic Party maintained a majority of 25, with the remaining 15 seats under the control of the Republican Party. Neither party lost or gained any seats.
California State Senate elections, 2008[4]
Party
Votes
Percentage
Seats
Seats
Total
+/–
Democratic
3,786,204
55.06%
11
14
25
0
Republican
2,837,361
41.27%
9
6
15
0
Independent
131,248
1.91%
0
0
0
0
Libertarian
94,132
1.37%
0
0
0
0
Peace and Freedom
26,996
0.39%
0
0
0
0
Totals
6,875,941
100.00%
20
20
40
—
Voter turnout
72.60%
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of California's State Legislature. All 80 seats were up for election every two years. Before the election, the Democrats controlled 48 seats, while the Republicans controlled 32. After the election, the Democrats increased its majority to 51, while the Republican minority shrank to 29. A total of five seats changed parties: four to the Democrats and one to the Republicans.
California State Assembly elections, 2008[4]
Party
Votes
Percentage
Seats
+/–
Democratic
6,905,219
57.80%
51
+3
Republican
4,830,252
40.43%
29
–3
Libertarian
171,324
1.43%
0
0
Peace and Freedom
33,212
0.28%
0
0
Green
6,505
0.05%
0
0
Independent
27
0.00%
0
0
Valid votes
11,946,539
86.93%
—
—
Invalid or blank votes
1,796,638
13.07%
—
—
Totals
13,743,177
100.00%
80
—
Voter turnout
79.42%
Propositions
Proposition 1A
Proposition 1A is a bond measure to fund the California High-Speed Rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco .
Proposition 1A[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
6,680,485
52.62
No
6,015,944
47.38
Proposition 2
Proposition 2 is an initiative statute regarding standards for confining farm animals .
Proposition 2[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
8,203,769
63.42
No
4,731,738
36.58
Proposition 3
Proposition 3 is an initiative statute that authorizes children's hospital bonds and grants .
Proposition 3[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
6,984,319
55.26
No
5,654,586
44.74
Proposition 4
Proposition 4 is an initiative constitutional amendment regarding waiting periods and parental notification before termination of a minor's pregnancy .
Proposition 4[4]
Choice
Votes
%
No
6,728,478
51.96
Yes
6,220,473
48.04
Proposition 5
Proposition 5 is an initiative statute regarding nonviolent offenders, sentencing , parole , and rehabilitation .
Proposition 5[4]
Choice
Votes
%
No
7,566,783
59.48
Yes
5,155,206
40.52
Proposition 6
Proposition 6 is an initiative statute regarding criminal penalties and public safety funding.
Proposition 6[4]
Choice
Votes
%
No
8,559,647
69.12
Yes
3,824,372
30.88
Proposition 7
Proposition 7 is an initiative statute regarding renewable energy .
Proposition 7[4]
Choice
Votes
%
No
8,155,181
64.43
Yes
4,502,235
35.57
Proposition 8
Proposition 8 is an initiative constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in California .[5]
Proposition 8[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
7,001,084
52.24
No
6,401,482
47.76
Proposition 9
Proposition 9 is an initiative constitutional amendment and statute that deals with the criminal justice system, victims' rights, and parole .
Proposition 9[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
6,682,465
53.84
No
5,728,968
46.16
Proposition 10
Proposition 10 is an initiative statute that authorizes bonds for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy .
Proposition 10[4]
Choice
Votes
%
No
7,464,154
59.41
Yes
5,098,666
40.59
Proposition 11
Proposition 11 is an initiative constitutional amendment and statute that deals with redistricting .
Proposition 11[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
6,095,033
50.82
No
5,897,655
49.18
Proposition 12
Proposition 12 is a bond measure that would assist veterans with buying property.
Proposition 12[4]
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
7,807,630
63.53
No
4,481,196
36.47
23.23 pp)[1]
