2009 California elections
The California state special elections, 2009 were held on May 19, 2009 throughout the state of California. The elections were authorized by the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a part of a budget signed into law on February 19, 2009. Voters voted on six ballot propositions, 1A through 1F, for the open 26th State Senate district seat, and in a primary for the open 32nd congressional district seat. All of the propositions except 1F were defeated. Background In February 2009 the State Legislature narrowly passed the 2008–2009 state budget during a special session, months after it was due. As part of the plan to lower the state's annual deficits, the State Legislature ordered a special election with various budget reform ballot propositions. Propositions Proposition 1A Proposition 1A was a constitutional amendment that would have increased the annual contributions to the state's rainy day fund. Proposition 1B Proposition 1B would have secured additional funding for primary education, but only if Proposition 1A passed as well. Proposition 1C Proposition 1C was a constitutional amendment that would have made significant changes to the operation of the State Lottery. Proposition 1D Proposition 1D would have authorized a one-time reallocation of tobacco tax revenue to help balance the state budget. Proposition 1E Proposition 1E would have authorized a one-time reallocation of income tax revenue to help balance the state budget. Proposition 1F Proposition 1F prohibited pay raises for members of the State Legislature, the Governor, and other state officials during deficit years. Opinion polling Field Poll: March 3, 2009 SurveyUSA Poll: March 11–12, 2009 (commissioned by KABC-TV, KFSN-TV, KGTV-TV, and KPIX-TV) PPIC Poll: March 25, 2009 SurveyUSA Poll: April 20–21, 2009 (commissioned by KABC-TV, KFSN-TV, KGTV-TV, and KPIX-TV) Field Poll: April 29, 2009 26th State Senate district special election A special election to fill the 26th district of the State Senate was called by Governor Schwarzenegger on December 10, 2008 as a consequence of the resignation of former State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas following his election to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A special primary election was held on March 24, 2009, and the special election was held on May 19, 2009. Candidates A total of eight candidates registered for the special election, but only three qualified for the special election: Democratic Robert Cole, a member of the Los Angeles County Citizens' Economy and Efficiency Committee Mike Davis, the State Assemblymember from the 48th district Saundra Davis, a board member of the Culver City Unified School District and a businesswoman Mervin Leon Evans, an author and management consultant Jonathan Friedman, a financial analyst Curren D. Price, Jr., the State Assemblymember from the 51st district Peace and Freedom Cindy Variela Henderson, a communications technician Republican Nachum Shifren, an educator Primary election An open primary election for the special election was held on March 24, 2009. Since no candidate won a majority, the candidates with the top votes for each party advanced to the special general election. Price won more votes than any other