Many states voted on anti-abortion and immigration measures, while several blue states passed tougher crime measures.
President-elect Donald Trump said at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey in August, “You can rob a store if it's under $950. Has anyone ever heard of that?” spoke. “When you rob a store, the robber comes into the store with a calculator and makes you calculate the amount.”
Convicted shoplifters were prosecuted, but California voters didn't think the penalties were enough. Proposition 36 now makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders.
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Shoplifting is on the rise, according to California crime data. The number of incidents increased by 27.5% between 2018 and 2023. Proposition 36 also tackles another problem in California: drug addiction. The measure increases penalties for some drug charges, including fentanyl. Over the same period, fentanyl overdose deaths also increased by more than 770%.
Voters cast their ballots during the Super Tuesday primary election at the American Legion Post polling place in Hawthorne, California, on March 5, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
“Proposition 36 will increase the accountability of repeat retail thieves and drug traffickers to minors while improving community safety,” said Elizabeth Graham, CEO of the California Fuel Convenience Alliance. “It's a balanced approach to reducing crime to protect the public.”
The new measure stems from an initiative passed in 2014 that downgraded some drug crimes and thefts under $950 from felonies to misdemeanors.
A speaker at a rally opposed to Prop. 36 said, “I know we're all here to say no to Prop. 36, but some of us are here to say a hard no to Prop. 36. “There is,” he said.
The initiative passed with overwhelming support, but opponents say it would unfairly imprison poor people and people with substance abuse problems.
Another speaker opposed to the initiative said, “Now is not the time to go back to stupid and failed incarceration policies.”
Longs Peak, part of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, looms in the background, surrounded by green trees and the Denver skyline. (Dave Parsons, from Download)
Colorado voters also voted in favor of several crime measures. In the aftermath of the pandemic, crime has increased across the country, including in Colorado. Violent crime is up 23.8% from 2019, according to the latest data.
“I'm going to make Colorado safe again. We're going to make you safe,” President-elect Trump said at a rally in Aurora, highlighting the alleged Torren de Aragua crime in the area. We're going to do it quickly.” .
Voters approved an initiative that would strip the right to bail in first-degree murder cases where the evidence is clear or the presumption is strong. Another measure would require offenders convicted of violent crimes to serve additional sentences before being eligible for parole.
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Voters also approved a fund for recruiting, retaining and training police officers and another fund to assist crime victims.
“Places like Denver have diverted $9 million from law enforcement. Why? Because they have to deal with newcomers with euphemistic names. There's a spending problem. It's a matter of priorities. We have a problem. Crime is going up because of you,'” Colorado Congressman Ken DeGraff said during a hearing on the property tax bill in August.
Colorado voters also rejected an effort to end hunting of wild cats such as mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. Most states allow hunting of bobcats and mountain lions, but lynx are already protected by the federal government. California passed a state ban on sport hunting of mountain lions. Florida's panthers are classified as an endangered species under federal law.
A mountain lion photographed in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Colorado voters recently rejected a proposal to ban hunting of wild cats such as mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. (Dennis Donahue, from Download)
Florida voters also approved protections for hunters and fishermen. This bill would add language to the state constitution establishing hunting and fishing rights. Supporters say the changes will prevent efforts to take away those rights. Opponents say the addition is a legal overreach.
In Maine, voters decided against changing the state flag. The first official flag was used from 1901 to 1909 and has gained popularity in recent years. It features a pine tree and stars. However, voters decided to keep the blue state seal as the official flag.
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Some unusual local laws were also passed. Miami-Dade County voters decided to expand public Wi-Fi access. Malheur County, Oregon, voted against repealing a mandate that would end some of the debate over changing the border between Idaho and Oregon. Illinois voters also voted on state boundaries. Seven counties voted to consider leaving the state over disagreements with Cook County, which includes Chicago.
