California Voters Overturn Soft-on-Crime Policies with Prop 36

The new measure, addressing retail theft and drug offenses, marks a shift from previous lenient laws.

Proposition 36 passed with 70% support, reversing elements of the 2014 Prop 47 by imposing tougher penalties on repeat offenders for theft and drug crimes.
Voters ousted progressive figures like Los Angeles DA George Gascon and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, signaling dissatisfaction with crime management.
Prop 36's success reflects public frustration over rising homelessness, retail theft, and drug issues exacerbated during the pandemic.
Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders opposed Prop 36, but it gained support from a broad coalition including retailers and law enforcement.
The measure's passage is seen as a response to visible crime issues and a demand for accountability and safety in communities.