In the Golden State , a ballot measure seeking to strengthen penalties for various crimes looks well on its way to passing in November.
Proposition 36, titled the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, would allow felony charges for certain drug possessions and for thefts under $950 in value, for offenders who have two prior similar convictions. The measure would also increase prison sentences for other drug and theft charges, in a partial repeal of 2014’s Proposition 47.
A poll released Wednesday evening from the Public Policy Institute of California shows likely voters heavily support the measure, 71%-26%.
The measure received pushback from some state Democratic leaders, who argued the measure would revive “failed” incarnation policies and has attempted to quickly mount a counter-ballot measure against Prop 36.
Despite pushback from some California Democrats, the measure has received bipartisan support, and voters from both parties appear on track to vote the measure into law in November, according to the survey.