Source: SFGate
“California voters approved a ballot measure that would reclassify some misdemeanor theft and drug crimes as felonies, essentially undoing a previous ballot measure that big-box retailers and law enforcement officials have long blamed for increases in theft, property crime and homelessness. Voters approved state Proposition 36 by a whopping margin of 40 percentage points, or 70.6% to 29.4%, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s general election. The ballot measure needed only a simple majority (50% plus one vote) to pass. … In 2014, voters passed Prop. 47, which aimed to curb overcrowding in California’s prisons by turning some drug and theft crimes into misdemeanors. Among other things, the measure famously said shoplifters who stole $950 or less in goods from stores could only be charged with a misdemeanor, whereas in the past, prosecutors could charge those offenders with a felony.” (11/06/24)
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/calif-voters-approve-prop-36-crime-felonies-19887365.php