Election News

Making their voices heard at the polls, Californians voted on a number of candidates and measures that may affect their privacy rights.

California voters elected Democratic State Senator Debra Bowen, who prevailed in a tight race for Secretary of State over Republican incumbent Bruce McPherson.  Bowen has authored significant privacy legislation in California, including security freeze legislation, and campaigned on a platform focused on privacy rights, including security and reliability questions surrounding the use of electronic voting machines.

Californians have rejected Proposition 85, with 54% of voters voting no on the measure, which would have prohibited abortion for a minor until 48 hours after a physician notifies her parent or legal guardian, except in cases of medical emergency or a parental waiver.  Proposition 85 was similar to last year’s Proposition 73, which lost by a six percent margin.  Opponents of the measure argued it would endanger at-risk minors and threaten privacy rights.  In 1997, the California Supreme Court struck down as violative of the right of privacy guaranteed by article I, section 1, of the California Constitution, a law requiring minors to obtain parental consent or court approval prior to an abortion.  American Academy of Pediatrics v. Lungren, S041459.