Student reactions to California’s midterm election ranged from excited to apathetic about hotly-contested races and ballot items, but opinions were scarce for lower profile issues.
“I just didn’t want Meg Whitman to win. That was about it,” said SRJC student Arthur Vega. While student Travis Labrucherie said, “I really don’t even care.”
Other students were more engaged. “I’m very proud that we elected Jerry Brown. It shows that you cannot buy yourself into office no matter how much money you have,” said SRJC student Patrick Atchison.
However, the gubernatorial race and the proposition results dominated the conversation.
“I only voted for two things: I voted no on [Prop. 23] and Prop. 19, I voted yes on that,” said SRJC student Danielle Beltz.
Brown’s win is certainly high profile for SRJC students. His education plan calls for decreasing prison spending and increasing education spending, but it is unclear how much of a change the redistribution will make. Brown is also invested in creating standards for transferable courses, which could save students time and money in the long run.
Students felt strongly about Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana at the state level and Proposition 23, which would have compromised California’s current air quality regulations, neither of which passed.
“I’m slightly disappointed that Prop. 19 didn’t go through because it would have brought in a lot of tourism and good tax dollars and created a lot of jobs,” said SRJC student Xavier Coelho-Kostolny.
Proposition 25, which requires a simple majority to pass a state budget, will likely affect students the most. Passing a state budget faster will allow the state to disperse funds to college campuses and allow colleges to plan their budgets rather than guessing at what state funds they will receive.
Proposition 25 passed with about 55 percent of voters in favor. Proposition 19 to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana failed to pass with only 46 percent of voters in favor of the measure, as did Proposition 21, which would have added a license registration fee for state park funding. Proposition 23, which would have repealed the Clean Air Act (AB 32) also failed to pass.
At the local level, Democrat Noreen Evans won the state senate seat for District 2, defeating Republican Lawrence Wiesner with around 63 percent of the vote.
Democrat Michael Allen won the state assembly seat for District 7, defeating Republican Doris Gentry and Libertarian Katheryn M. Moore with around 64 percent of the vote.
David Rabbitt defeated Petaluma Mayor Pamela Torliatt for the 2nd district county supervisor seat with 54 percent of the vote.