Four of five statewide ballot measures led in early returns, with only Proposition 15, which would repeal the state's ban on public financing of political campaigns, trailing.
Proposition 13, which would prevent an automatic property-tax valuation reassessment from occurring when homeowners retrofit structures to make them more earthquake safe, led 86.2 percent to 13.8 percent.
Proposition 14, which would institute an open-primary election system for partisan posts, allowing voters to cast ballots in primary elections forany candidate regardless of political party, led 60.6 percent to 39.4 percent.
Proposition 15 trailed 57 percent to 43 percent.
Proposition 16, which would require local governments to obtain the approval of two-thirds of voters before using public money to provide or expand electricity service, led 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent.
Proposition 17, which would allow insurance companies to offer discounts to drivers who continuously maintain coverage, even if they change companies, led 55 percent to 45 percent.
All results were based on 7.4 percent of precincts partially or fully reporting, plus vote-by-mail ballots, according to figures released by the
Secretary of State's Office.
Proposition 13 would amend the state constitution to remove the reassessment exemptions for some seismic upgrades and replace them with a single exclusion for all earthquake-safety upgrades. Supporters said the existing system could discourage property owners from making certain types of seismic upgrades out of fear of higher property taxes.
If Proposition 14 is adopted, the top two vote-getters in the open primary would advance to the general election, even if they are both from the same party.
The measure would affect races for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, controller, insurance commissioner and attorney general, along with state senators and Assembly members, Board of Equalization members, U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Proponents contended the measure would help reduce partisan politics and give independent voters a stronger voice in elections. Opponents argued that the measure would allow candidates to conceal their party affiliation and drive up the cost of elections.
Proposition 15 would also authorize an experiment with public financing in the 2014 and 2018 elections for secretary of state.
Under the proposal, candidates who collect a set number of $5 donations from voters would qualify for public campaign financing. Major party candidates could receive an initial $1 million for a primary election, along with up to $4 million more if non-publicly financed candidates spend that much.
In a general election, a candidate could receive up to $6.5 million.
Proponents insisted that public financing would reduce the impact of special-interest groups on elections, and allow politicians to focus on issues rather than fundraising. Opponents countered that the proposal would still allow politicians to collect money from special-interest groups, and will also be costly to taxpayers.
Supporters of Proposition 16 said voters should have final say before taxpayer dollars are spent on electrical service. Opponents claimed the proposal would reduce competition and make it easier for private utility companies to raise electric rates.
Proposition 17 would also allow insurance companies to increase policy costs for drivers who do not have a history of continuous coverage.
Backers of the proposition, which is funded primarily by Mercury Insurance Co., claim the measure will save drivers who maintain insurance coverage as much as $250 a year and will lead to increased competition among
insurers.
Opponents contended the proposition will allow insurers to raise rates and penalize motorists with perfect driving records if they cancel their insurance policies for as little as 91 days over the past five years.
