2016 California Proposition 51

Proposition 51 is a California ballot proposition that passed on the November 8, 2016 ballot, regarding $9 billion in bonds to fund construction and improvement of K-12 and community college facilities. The measure designates $7 billion for K-12 projects falling under four types of projects (new construction, modernization, career technical education facilities, and charter school facilities), and $2 billion for any facility project for community colleges.^[2] No other bond measures related to education have been on the California ballot since 2006.^[3]

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Proposition 51

K-12 and Community College Facilities
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 7,516,142 55.18% No 6,104,294 44.82% Valid votes 13,620,436 93.22% Invalid or blank votes 990,073 6.78% Total votes 14,610,509 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 19,411,771 75.27%
Results by county Yes   50–60%   60–70% No   50–60%   60–70%
Source: California Secretary of State[1]

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There was bipartisan support for Prop 51.^[3] Arguments for the measure stated that K-12 and community college classrooms and other facilities are in need of improvement and repair to meet health and safety standards.^[4] Arguments against the measure stated that it did not guarantee equitable distribution of the bond money.^[3] The opposition discontinued their fundraising in June 2016.^[3]

A September 2016 poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that 47% of likely voters supported Proposition 51, 43% opposed it, and 10% did not know how they would vote.^[5]