Official Voter Information Guide

Certificate of Correctness

I, Debra Bowen, Secretary of State of the State of California, hereby certify that the measures included herein will be submitted to the electors at the General Election to be held on November 6, 2012, and that this guide has been prepared in accordance with the law.

Witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State in Sacramento, California, this 13th day of August, 2012.

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Secretary of State

Dear Fellow Voter:

By registering to vote, you have taken the first step in playing an active role in deciding California’s future. Now, to help you make your decisions, my office has created this Official Voter Information Guide—just one of the useful tools for learning more about what will be on your ballot and how this election works. Information about candidates and measures unique to your region is available in your county sample ballot booklet. And for even more details about the electoral process—including how to check your voter registration status, where to vote, or whether your vote-by-mail ballot was received—visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections or call my toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE.

Voting is easy, and every registered voter has a choice of voting by mail or in a local polling place. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot from your county elections office is October 30. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

There are more ways to participate in the electoral process.

• Be a poll worker on Election Day, helping to make voting easier for all eligible voters and protecting ballots until they are counted by elections officials.
• Spread the word about voter registration deadlines and voting rights through emails, phone calls, brochures, and posters.
• Help educate other voters about the candidates and issues by organizing discussion groups or participating in debates with friends, family, and community leaders.

This guide contains titles and summaries of state ballot measures prepared by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris; impartial analyses of the ballot measures and potential costs to taxpayers prepared by Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor; arguments in favor of and against ballot measures prepared by proponents and opponents; text of the proposed laws prepared and proofed by Legislative Counsel Diane F. Boyer-Vine; and other useful information. The printing of the guide was done under the supervision of Acting State Printer Kevin P. Hannah.

It is a wonderful privilege in a democracy to have a choice and the right to voice your opinion. As you know, some contests really do come down to a narrow margin of just a few votes. I encourage you to take the time to carefully read about each candidate and ballot measure—and to know your voting rights.

Thank you for taking your civic responsibility seriously and making your voice heard!

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