In addition to deciding the 45th president of the United States, Californians will be also voting for seventeen propositions that will affect every household. Taxes, marijuana, and the death penalty are just a few controversial topics on this year’s ballot, and it is important for voters to educate themselves on each of the initiatives.

A yes vote for proposition 51 will issue a $9 billion bond to fund construction, modernization, and improvement of facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges. This will aid many schools in need of additional facilities, upgrades or renovations to current facilities. Opponents argue that the proposition evenly distributes funds without concern for those with greater need.

Additionally, this initiative will cost $9 billion in the initial bond, however will also accumulate $8.6 billion in interest. The proposition will cost the state $500 million per year for 35 years. Opponents of the bill claim that it is a burden lifted from legislature and given to the taxpayers.

Proposition 52 will amend the California Constitution, so that a change to the hospital fee program would need two-thirds of legislature approval. The federally funded Medicare program requires states to contribute a matching amount of money in order to receive federal funding, and the state accumulates the matching funds through the hospital fee program.

The hospital fee program is currently set to end, January 1st, 2018. A yes vote will extend it indefinitely. Despite little foreseeable fiscal impact, the bill’s opponents fear that the nearly $3 billion of taxpayer money may be unregulated and no accountability will be held toward hospital CEO’s. They also fear public funds will be used on paying lobbyists, paying salaries of hospital bureaucrats, and will not be spent on health care for children, seniors, or those that were intended to benefit.

Proposition 53 would require voter approval for the state to issue infrastructure bonds above $2 billion, that would require a tax increase or fees to the project to repay debt. The purpose of the bill is to increase transparency between people and the cost of large infrastructure projects.

It would also hold politicians accountable for failed projects, and prevent use of “blank checks,” spending large amount of taxpayer dollars without approval.  This proposal, if enacted, could hinder the progress of projects benefiting isolated communities that may need them, making localized issues reliant on statewide support. Projects that rely on statewide voter approval may jeopardize water supplies, highways and bridge repairs, and the bill would provide no exemption for communities attempting to rebuild after suffering from emergencies and natural disasters.

The next measure on the ballot, proposition 54, would require a bill to be made available to legislators and to the public in print and online, for at least 72 hours prior to Legislative approval. This includes making video recordings of all public Legislature meetings available online. While some recordings of Legislative meetings are already available to the public, there is no set time regulation regarding when legislators can vote on a bill. Those opposing the proposition claim the three day window may lead to interference from interest groups and opposing parties. Many fear that they will form political attack ads and allows interests groups an opportunity to sway the legislative process in their favor.

Proposition 55 is actually an extension of proposition 30, passed in 2012, to increase income tax on incomes over $250,000 a year. While prop 30 is set to end in 2018, prop 55 would continue it’s mission for an additional 12 years into 2030. Revenue accumulated through this tax would continue to support K-12 school, community colleges, and to a lesser extent, Medi-cal and other healthcare programs. Since approval in 2012, the tax has raised an approximate $6 billion a year, and is expected to raise an addition $4 to $9 billion in the future if it were to be extended. The initial proposition, however, was presented as a “temporary” tax. Opposers fear that this will set a precedent for “temporary” or experimental taxes to have unexpected extensions, argue that increasing taxes is not a budgetary solution.

Proposition 56 would increase tax on tobacco and tobacco related products by $2.00. The current rate of tax on tobacco products is $0.87, raising $3.5 billion annually. Those funds are allocated to childhood development programs, low-income healthcare and environmental protection programs, the General Fund, and breast cancer screenings and research, and a tax increase is expected to increase the amount of funds allocated to those causes, and would include funding research for other forms of cancer and school-based tobacco prevention education. The bill is also meant to decrease use of tobacco, as well as decrease tobacco related healthcare costs.  Opponents, however, fear that the major increase in Medi-cal funds will allow health insurance agencies and special interests to interfere with healthcare, and argue that the bill does not do enough to support actual tobacco prevention in youth.

A yes vote on proposition 57 would increase parole and good behavior opportunities for non-violent criminals and juveniles. The passing of prop 57 would also allow judges to decide if juveniles should be tried as adults, instead of having the prosecutor decide. The primary goal of this bill to push towards solving overcrowded prison populations, whilst maintaining the goal of inmate rehabilitation. Lower prison populations would also lower the tax burden prisons have on the state. The issues of this bill, as explained by its opponents, are with how the bill was drafted. Non-violent crimes can include cases involving certain forms of rape, sex trafficking, lewd acts  against children, and opponents fear it will lead to increases in lower-offense, non-violent crime.

Proposition 58, would repeal the 1998 proposition 277. Prop 277 required students to complete a year of intensive English instruction before integrating into general English-only classes, taught by English-only teachers. Proposition 58 would allow immediate student integration and would allow instructors to use non-English languages when teaching in public schools. Proponents also argue that repealing 277 would accelerate non-English speaking students English speaking proficiency. ‘No’ voters argue otherwise, claiming that English intensive courses are more effective than integration. They also this bill disregards parental concerns about languages taught to their children, and how English speaking and non-English speaking students are taught.

Proposition 59, proposes ratification of an amendment to overturn the Citizens United vs. FEC ruling in 2010. Citizens United set a precedent of allowing unlimited amounts being spent on political expenditures to considered freedom of speech.

All performers in the adult entertainment industry will be forced to use condoms during filming of sexual intercourse according to proposition 60. Prop 60 also forces porn producing companies to pay for performer vacations, performer medical examinations regarding sexual transmitted diseases. It would also require porn producing companies to obtain a health license and have signs stating condoms required at filming locations.

Proposition 61 if voted “yes” regulates drug prescription drug prices, by forcing state agencies to pay the same amount as the Department of Veteran Affairs(VA) for manufactured drugs. The intent of the measure is to receive the lowest discount possible for prescription drugs which is the VA. This is applies to any case of which the state pays for prescription drugs even if not purchased directly. This measure does to not apply to anyone obtaining prescription drugs on individually, only to state agencies.

Proposition 62 is a repeal of the death penalty in California. Prop 62 also limits that the maximum punishment that could be given to is a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Those sentenced with this new law in place will work towards paying off debts  to the victims of the crime committed. Up to 60 percent of the inmate’s wages can could be deducted to pay the crimes done.

Proposition 63 bans the possession of large capacity magazines and requiring certain individuals to pass background checks and obtain a permit to purchase ammunition.  Requires businesses to acquire a year license from the California’s Department of Justice to sell guns. Any consumer wanting to purchase ammunition, would need to now with this law, obtain a four year permit.

Recreational Marijuana is the focus of proposition 64. Proposition 64 allows for the use of recreational marijuana for anyone 21 years or older. The measure would bring government regulation on the drug, and taxes based upon selling of the drug. The bill would also bring about more strict labeling when it came to marijuana products of any kind, to protect underaged users.

Proposition 65 redirects a portion of money collected from carry out bags to a certain fund created by the Wildlife Conservation Board. The fund could be used to protecting the environment in multiple ways: such as drought prevention, clean water protection, recycling and cleanup purposes, and wildlife restoration. (Prop 65 and 67 are not the same. Either one determines how the 10 cent fund in Prop 67 is spent. If 65 passes and 67 fails, all revenue goes to wildlife conservation fund; If 67 passes and 65 fails, all costs go to education and covering costs. If both pass then the majority of the fund will go to education first then conservations needs afterwards.)

Proposition 66 changes the process of appeals on revoking death penalty and sentences. This initiative would change to put the duty of appeals on trial courts along with hasten the process to completed by five years. Qualifications needed in order to represent the inmates would change, and the number of attorneys would increase. Prisoners would also be put to work to pay restitution as well, but at a rate of up to 70 percent instead.

The banning of the use of plastic bags is the topic of Proposition 67. Prop 67 bans all  big grocery stores, pharmacies stores from using single-use plastic bags, except for the use of milk, bread, produce, bulk food, and perishable items. It is then followed-up by liquor stores and convenience stores being prohibited in the same regard the year after. Any store outlet will be forced to charge 10 cents for recycled bags, where the revenue is spent covering manufacturing cost and education of consumers. The measure would exempt any recipient paying with a payment card or voucher from the California Special Supplemental Food Program. The plastic manufactures would receive two millions because of this measure and help the companies retain jobs.

Election day is November 8. The last day to register was October 24.