Astronomically high rents are one of the biggest concerns for Californians. Nearly 30 percent of renters spend more than half of their income on rent. The median rent is $2,850 a month, 33 percent higher than the national average.

Two proposals on the November 5 ballot address this issue – one of them, however, in a rather roundabout way.

Lynn La

CalMatters

The more direct proposal is Proposition 33, which would give local governments more control over rent caps. Currently, cities cannot cap rents on single-family homes, apartments built after 1995, and new renters. Prop. 33 would change that, essentially ending the state’s “limits on limits.” Tenant advocates say Prop. 33, if passed, would help more people secure housing.

But voters rejected two similar ballot proposals in 2018 and 2020. Landlord groups opposing this year’s measure say tighter rent control will make housing less profitable and exacerbate the housing shortage.

Learn more about Prop. 33 from CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall in our one-minute video. And take a quiz with CalMatters data reporter Erica Yee to see how you would vote.

The measure is sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has already poured $2 million into the two previous rent control measures. To prevent the foundation from funding another one, landlord groups are supporting Proposition 34.

Related story: St. Paul rent control initiative backfires, sparking ‘chaos’ in housing market…

It would require California health care providers (and really just the AIDS Foundation) to spend at least 98 percent of revenue from a special prescription drug discount program on “direct patient care” — or risk losing their state license and tax exemption and losing state contracts.

Supporters, including the California Apartment Association, say the ballot measure is simply a case of accountability, while the foundation argues it is a political assassination.

To learn more, watch an explainer video from CalMatters housing reporter Ben Christopher. And take Erica’s quiz.

More about props: On Wednesday, CalMatters released its first TikTok about a ballot proposal: Prop. 32 to raise California’s minimum wage. You can also watch it on Instagram, starring our policy intern Jenna Peterson.

Young voters: Jenna and Matthew Reagan, deputy editors of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network, spoke with political analysts and young people about Vice President Kamala Harris and the presidential campaign.

Following President Joe Biden’s surprise withdrawal from the race, 72% of registered voters ages 18 to 29 said they were either “very likely” or “almost certain” they would vote in the presidential election, an increase of 8 percentage points.

But even with 41 million eligible voters in Generation Z, voter turnout among this age group is historically far lower than among all other age groups.

Harris’ candidacy, however, is attracting growing enthusiasm among young voters, who are supporting her campaign with coconut emojis, green-tinted brat fancams and “Veep” memes.

• Mindy RomeroFounder and director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California: “I think all the momentum and activity we’re seeing can grab the attention of young people and maybe get them to give it a chance. It still has what it takes.”

Democrats hope all this enthusiasm will help congressional candidates in California, with Republican U.S. Rep. John Duarte again facing Democrat Adam Gray in Modesto’s 13th congressional district. Duarte won by just 564 votes in 2022, when youth turnout was just 23%.

Related story: Court blocks owner of mobile home park from closing its Fresno operation or evicting its tenants

Read more about California’s young voters in Jenna and Matthew’s story.

Elections in November: It’s not too early to get informed. Stay up to date with CalMatters’ coverage by signing up for election 2024 emails. Check out our voter guide, which includes updates and videos on the 10 propositions and an FAQ on how to vote. And read up on the history of ballot measures in California.

About the author

Lynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California’s most important political, policy and Capitol stories each weekday. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters’ flagship daily newsletter with more than 150,000 subscribers. Lynn lives in the Bay Area. She studied at UC Davis and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

About CalMatters

CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to educating California politics.