Anger over retail theft drives California voters to make certain shoplifting crimes felonies again.
CALIFORNIA, USA — Update: 9 p.m.
Frustrated with what they see as rampant retail crimes, voters approved an initiative making shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increasing penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The tough-on-crime ballot measure also gives judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges to get treatment.
The measure partly rolls back a progressive law passed by voters in 2014 that downgraded several nonviolent crimes to misdemeanors, including theft under $950 in value and some drug offenses. The reversal reflects widespread anger among voters who are increasingly pinning the blame for homelessness and retail theft on criminal justice reform and progressive district attorneys.
Prop 36 Results
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When do we find out who won the election?
Voters in California will start to see results not long after 8 p.m., but these aren’t the final results. Every number seen on election night and the days after are unofficial results.
While some elections might be called on election night, that’s generally a projection from media outlets, experts or because a candidate conceded. Mail-in ballots, provisional ballots, ballots from registered voters in the military deployed overseas and more all get counted for the final result.
The last day for counties to certify results is Dec. 5. The California Secretary of State will then have until Dec. 7 to certify the vote, with the Statement of Vote certified on Dec. 13.
