Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

by Jason Le Miere

John McCain Republican nominee John McCain, 72, spent five years as a prisoner-of-war while serving in Vietnam. He was elected to the U.S. Senate representing Arizona in 1986, after serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. McCain also ran for the Republican ticket for president in 2000, but was defeated by George W. (0) comments

by Rie Nakanishi

Measure B, if approved, would authorize a one-eighth-of-a-cent sales tax increase for Santa Clara County to help extend the Bay Area Rapid Transit system 16.1 miles into Santa Clara County, including stations in Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara. It would also connect Caltrain from Gilroy to San Francisco. (0) comments

by Rie Nakanishi

Proposition 1A proposes the issuing of a $9.95-billion bond to partially fund the establishment of a high-speed rail network that connects Northern and Southern California at speeds of 200 mph or faster. If approved, $9 billion would be used for planning and construction of the system, and the remaining $950 million for improvement of other rail systems such as BART. (4) comments

by Marcos Blanco

Proposition 2, if passed, would prevent the harsh confinement of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal and egg-laying hens in a way in which they can't lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely. It also provides misdemeanor penalties, including a $1,000 fine and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days for violators, according to the California Secretary of State's Web site. (3) comments

by Jon Xavier

Proposition 3, or the Children's Hospital Bond Act of 2008, would authorize the state to sell $980 million in bonds. The money the state raises must be used to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, furnishing and equipping of the state's children's hospitals. (1) comment

by Allie Figures

If passed, Proposition 4 would change the California Constitution to require parental or guardian notification 48 hours before the termination of a pregnancy of a minor, according to the Official Voter Information Guide. Exceptions to the notification process may be permitted in the case of medical emergency endangering the minor or a parental waiver. (1) comment

by Ya-an Chan

Proposition 5, if passed, would allocate the state government to spend $460 million annually to improve treatment programs for people convicted of drug and other offenses, and create a 19 member board to direct parole and rehabilitation policy. Parole for serious and violent felonies will be increased, and sentences for certain drug offenses will be shortened. (0) comments

by Andrea Frainier

If passed, Proposition 6 would allocate $965 million a year from the state general fund for state and local criminal justice programs, which would benefit police officers, sheriffs, district attorneys, adult probation, jails and juvenile probation facilities, according to the Official Voter Information Guide Web site. (0) comments

by Chris Curry

Proposition 7, if passed, would require electricity providers to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. The proposition would mandate 2 percent yearly increases until it reaches 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. It would also give the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission the ability to grant permits for power plant construction. (2) comments

by Joseph Akeley

Proposition 8, if passed, would make a new law in California's Constitution that same-sex couples can not legally marry. As a result, there will only be legal marriage between a man and a woman. On May 15, the California Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the state Constitution protects a fundamental "right to marry" that extends equally to same-sex couples. (3) comments

by Adam Murphy

Proposition 9, also known as Marsy's Law, would enact a victim's bill of rights into the California Constitution. According to the Official Voter Information Guide, it would require notification to the victim and the opportunity for input during phases of the criminal justice process. (0) comments

by Adam Murphy

Proposition 10, if passed, would offer $3.5 billion in rebates over the next 30 years for alternative fuel automobiles. An additional $1.25 billion would go toward solar, wind and alternative energy research. Thirty-year bonds would be sold for $5 billion with an estimated interest rate of 5 percent. (0) comments

by Kelly Enos

Proposition 11, if passed, would change authority for establishing Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization district boundaries from elected representatives to 14-member commissions. It requires government auditors to select 60 registered voters from an applicant pool and permits legislative leaders to reduce that pool. (0) comments

by Kaajal Morar

Proposition 12, the Veterans' Bond Act of 2008, proposes issuing $900 million in bonds to provide home and farm loans for California veterans. The bonds would be paid off over a period of 30 years, according to the Official Voter Information Guide Web site, with interest totaling an additional $856 million. (0) comments

In an effort to help students through the voting process, the Spartan Daily has compiled a list of election resources. (0) comments