2012 California Proposition 32

Proposition 32 is a California ballot measure that was decided by California voters at the statewide election on November 6, 2012. This initiative statute would have affected political contributions via payroll deductions, and contributions to political candidates. The proposition was defeated by voters by a margin of 56 to 44 percent.

Details

Proposition 32 would have done the following:

Prohibit unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes (the same restriction applying to payroll deductions, if any, by corporations and government contractors)

Permit voluntary employee contributions to an employee-sponsored committee or union with yearly written authorization.

Ban contributions to candidates and candidate-controlled committees by corporations and labor unions. Other political expenditures remain unrestricted if not limited due to being from payroll deductions.

Ban contractors who receive government contracts (including public-sector labor unions with collective bargaining agreements) from donating to office holders involved in awarding the contract or committees controlled by said officers.

Editorial opinions

The North County Times stated that Proposition 32 "does nothing to stifle unions' political voices—despite claims to the contrary. Prop. 32 simply institutes an opt-in system for each employee's political donations."

The Los Angeles Daily News noted that Proposition 32 leaves the decision on how to contribute political funds to workers, not unions.