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Ranked Choice Vote Details

Ranked Choice Vote ID	59
Ranked Choice Vote	GPCA position on Prop 47: Criminal Sentences Misdemeanor Penalties Initiative Statute
Type	Open Ballot
Number of Seats	1
Ranked Choice Vote Administrator	Mike Feinstein
Phase	Closed
Discussion	08/18/2014 - 09/28/2014
Voting	09/29/2014 - 10/05/2014
Result	Results
Presens Quorum	12 0.5001
Candidates	GPCA endorses Proposition 47 GPCA opposes Proposition 47 GPCA takes no position on Proposition 47

Background

This is the ranked choice vote for the GPCA to take a position on Proposition 47: Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. Initiative Statute, which has been placed via the initiative process on the November 2014 general election ballot.

The choices are to rank 'endorse', 'oppose', 'no position' and/or 'abstain.' Delegates can rank as many or few of these options in their order of preference.

An 'endorse' vote would mean the GPCA would endorse Proposition 47. An 'oppose' vote means the GPCA would oppose Proposition 47. A 'no position' vote means the GPCA would not take a position on Proposition 47. An 'abstain' vote means the voter is not expressing a preference, but is voting to help achieve quorum. Any of these position that receives 2/3 after all preferences are transferred is the position of the party. If neither 'endorse' nor 'opposes' receive 2/3, the GPCA's position will be 'no position'.

Below is information from the State of California Voter Guide, as well as the recommendation of the Green Party of Alameda County, that will be in their November 2014 primary election voter guide.

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Full text of Proposition 47: http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2014/general/pdf/text-of-proposed-laws1.pdf#prop47

http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/title-summary.htm

Ballot title: Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. Initiative Statute.

Official summary: "Requires misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for certain drug and property offenses. Inapplicable to persons with prior conviction for serious or violent crime and registered sex offenders."

Fiscal impact statement:"State and county criminal justice savings potentially in the high hundreds of millions of dollars annually. State savings spent on school truancy and dropout prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and victim services." (Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state's Legislative Analyst and its Director of Finance.)

Although the following information was not available at the time of this posting, it will be available during the SGA's six week discussion period and will be sent to all SGA members

Legislative Analysis: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/analysis.htm
Argument in Favor: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/arguments-rebuttals.htm
Rebuttal to Argument in Favor: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/arguments-rebuttals.htm
Argument Against: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/arguments-rebuttals.htm
Rebuttal to Argument Against: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/47/arguments-rebuttals.htm

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Yes on 47 campaign site http://www.safetyandschools.com/

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Recommendation of the Green Party of Alameda County: Proposition 47 - YES, with great embarrassment and disappointment because much more needs to be done.

Changes certain felony offenses to misdemeanors

Proposition 47, the Criminal Sentences, Misdemeanor Penalties Initiative Statute, demonstrates the intellectual-poverty and limpness of the public debate over criminal justice policy. It does not confront the almost total failure and tragedy-making of California’s prison and jail system. When we use the amount of public dollars tied up in the system as a measure, the arguments for or against Proposition 47 concern only about 3% of the nine (9) billion dollar cost. Of the 220,000 annual felony convictions, the sentencing of maybe 5% will be changed by passage of this initiative. Every life is important and every dollar is precious but Proposition 47 brings this State essentially no closer to ending the horrendous waste of lives and resources that is the California criminal justice system.

The initiative was written by the District Attorney of San Francisco, a former Assistant Police Chief for the Los Angeles Police Department, a former Chief of Police for San Francisco, and the former Chief of Police for the cities of San Diego, San Jose, and Richmond. The Chiefs were joined by a survivor, crime victims' advocate, and widow of a San Leandro police officer killed in the line of duty. All of Us or None members helped gather signatures for Prop 47.

The opposition is composed of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, California District Attorneys Association, California Fraternal Order of Police, California Peace Officers Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California Retailers Association, California State Sheriffs' Association, Crime Victim Action Alliance, and Crime Victims United of California. Great appreciation must be expressed to the proponents for standing against this “wall” of status quo benefactors and supporters. Despite the very limited nature of Proposition 47 the scare tactics put forward by this opposition will be just as loud as it will be untrue.

The initiative converts six crimes considered “wobblers,” non-violent crimes that can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, into misdemeanor-specific charges. It could reduce sentences for numerous incarcerated people and potentially result in the release of thousands of people from prison. Additionally, this initiative would redirect money previously spent on prisons to other services: 25 percent for grants aimed at reducing truancy and drop-outs among K-12 students, 10 percent for victim services grants, and 65 percent to support mental health and drug abuse treatment services that are designed to help keep individuals out of prison and jail. The initiative is inapplicable to persons with prior conviction for serious or violent crime and registered sex offenders. It does not prevent judges from felony sentencing of those who steal a hand gun valued at less than $950, the property crime cut off point. The Sentencing Project recently reported that the budget-forced and/or court-forced prison population reductions have resulted in crime rate declines faster than the national average rather than the increases the opposition predicts.

In the last 30 years California has built 22 new prisons but only one university. This tragic waste of our resources has to stop. Proposition 47 is a tiny step in the right direction. It is just not enough.

Candidate Information

GPCA endorses Proposition 47

GPCA opposes Proposition 47

GPCA takes no position on Proposition 47

Questions about this system?
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