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]

November 2008 California elections

← Jun 2008 November 4, 2008 2009 →
Registered17,304,091[1]
Turnout79.42% (Increase 23.23 pp)[1]

President

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United States presidential election in California, 2008[4]
Party Candidate Running mate Votes Percentage Electoral votes
Democratic Barack Obama Joe Biden 8,274,473 61.01% 55
Republican John McCain Sarah Palin 5,011,781 36.95% 0
Peace and Freedom Ralph Nader Matt Gonzalez 108,381 0.80% 0
Libertarian Bob Barr Wayne Allyn Root 67,582 0.50% 0
American Independent Alan Keyes Brian Rohrbough 40,673 0.30% 0
Green Cynthia McKinney Rosa Clemente 38,774 0.29% 0
Independent Ron Paul (write-in) Gail Lightfoot 17,006 0.13% 0
Independent Chuck Baldwin (write-in) Darrell Castle 3,145 0.02% 0
Independent James Harris (write-in) Alyson Kennedy 49 0.00% 0
Independent Frank Moore (write-in) Susan Block 36 0.00% 0
Valid votes 13,561,900 98.68%
Invalid or blank votes 181,277 1.32%
Totals 13,743,177 100.00% 55
Voter turnout 79.42%

United States House of Representatives

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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

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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
up
Seats
not up
Total
seats
+/–
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

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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

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Proposition 1A

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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
Valid votes 12,696,429 92.38
Invalid or blank votes 1,046,748 7.62
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 2

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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
Valid votes 12,935,507 94.12
Invalid or blank votes 807,670 5.88
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 3

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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
Valid votes 12,638,905 91.96
Invalid or blank votes 1,104,272 8.04
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 4

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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
Valid votes 12,948,951 94.22
Invalid or blank votes 794,226 5.78
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 5

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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
Valid votes 12,721,989 92.57
Invalid or blank votes 1,021,188 7.43
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 6

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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
Valid votes 12,384,019 90.11
Invalid or blank votes 1,359,158 9.89
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 7

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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
Valid votes 12,657,416 92.10
Invalid or blank votes 1,085,761 7.90
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 8

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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
Valid votes 13,402,566 97.52
Invalid or blank votes 340,611 2.48
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 9

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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
Valid votes 12,411,433 90.31
Invalid or blank votes 1,331,744 9.69
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 10

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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
Valid votes 12,562,820 91.41
Invalid or blank votes 1,180,357 8.59
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 11

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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
Valid votes 11,992,688 87.26
Invalid or blank votes 1,750,489 12.74
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

Proposition 12

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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
Valid votes 12,288,826 89.42
Invalid or blank votes 1,454,351 10.58
Total votes 13,743,177 100.00

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Historical Voter Registration and Participation" (PDF). California Secretary of State.
  2. ^ "2008 California Election Calendar". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  3. ^ "2008 Ballot Measure Update". California Secretary of State. August 5, 2008. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Statement of Vote: 2008 General Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. December 13, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  5. ^ Emerald, Ashton (2009). The $20 Million Mormon Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage: The Why Behind LDS Opposition to Prop 8. ISBN 978-1520581095.
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