Elections were held in California on November 4, 2008. Among the elections taking place were those for the office of President of the United States, all the seats of California's delegation to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the State Assembly, and all of the odd-numbered seats of the State Senate. Twelve propositions also appeared on the ballot. Numerous local elections also took place throughout the state.

President

United States presidential election in California, 2008PartyCandidateRunning mateVotesPercentageElectoral votes Democratic Barack Obama Joe Biden 8,274,473 61.01% 55 Republican John McCain Sarah Palin 5,011,781 36.95% 0 Peace and Freedom Ralph Nader Matt Gonzalez 108,381 0.80% 0 Libertarian Bob Barr Wayne Allyn Root 67,582 0.50% 0 American Independent Alan Keyes Brian Rohrbough 40,673 0.30% 0 Green Cynthia McKinney Rosa Clemente 38,774 0.29% 0 Independent Ron Paul (write-in) Gail Lightfoot 17,006 0.13% 0 Independent Chuck Baldwin (write-in) Darrell Castle 3,145 0.02% 0 Independent James Harris (write-in) Alyson Kennedy 49 0.00% 0 Independent Frank Moore (write-in) Susan Block 36 0.00% 0 Valid votes 13,561,900 98.68% — Invalid or blank votes 181,277 1.32% — Totals 13,743,177 100.00% 55 Voter turnout 79.42% —

United States House of Representatives

All 53 seats of the United States House of Representatives in California were up for election. Before and after the election, 34 seats were under Democratic control and 19 were under Republican control.

United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2008PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 7,380,825 59.90% 34 0 Republican 4,515,925 36.65% 19 0 Libertarian 220,118 1.79% 0 0 Independent 90,340 0.73% 0 0 Green 60,926 0.49% 0 0 Peace and Freedom 47,659 0.39% 0 0 American Independent 6,286 0.05% 0 0 Valid votes 12,322,079 89.66% — — Invalid or blank votes 1,421,098 10.34% — — Totals 13,743,177 100.00% 53 — Voter turnout 79.42%

California State Senate

The California State Senate is the upper house of California's bicameral State Legislature. There are a total of 40 seats and only the 20 odd-numbered ones were up for election. The Democratic Party maintained a majority of 25, with the remaining 15 seats under the control of the Republican Party. Neither party lost or gained any seats.

California State Senate elections, 2008PartyVotesPercentageSeatsupSeatsnot upTotalseats+/– Democratic3,786,20455.06%1114250 Republican2,837,36141.27%96150 Independent131,2481.91%0000 Libertarian94,1321.37%0000 Peace and Freedom26,9960.39%0000 Totals 6,875,941 100.00% 20 20 40 — Voter turnout 72.60%

California State Assembly

The California State Assembly is the lower house of California's State Legislature. All 80 seats were up for election every two years. Before the election, the Democrats controlled 48 seats, while the Republicans controlled 32. After the election, the Democrats increased its majority to 51, while the Republican minority shrank to 29. A total of five seats changed parties: four to the Democrats and one to the Republicans.

California State Assembly elections, 2008PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 6,905,219 57.80% 51 +3 Republican 4,830,252 40.43% 29 –3 Libertarian 171,324 1.43% 0 0 Peace and Freedom 33,212 0.28% 0 0 Green 6,505 0.05% 0 0 Independent 27 0.00% 0 0 Valid votes 11,946,539 86.93% — — Invalid or blank votes 1,796,638 13.07% — — Totals 13,743,177 100.00% 80 — Voter turnout 79.42%

Propositions Proposition 1A

Proposition 1A is a bond measure to fund the California High-Speed Rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Proposition 2

Proposition 2 is an initiative statute regarding standards for confining farm animals.

Proposition 3

Proposition 3 is an initiative statute that authorizes children's hospital bonds and grants.

Proposition 4

Proposition 4 is an initiative constitutional amendment regarding waiting periods and parental notification before termination of a minor's pregnancy.

Proposition 5

Proposition 5 is an initiative statute regarding nonviolent offenders, sentencing, parole, and rehabilitation.

Proposition 6

Proposition 6 is an initiative statute regarding criminal penalties and public safety funding.

Proposition 7

Proposition 7 is an initiative statute regarding renewable energy.

Proposition 8

Proposition 8 is an initiative constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in California.

Proposition 9

Proposition 9 is an initiative constitutional amendment and statute that deals with the criminal justice system, victims' rights, and parole.

Proposition 10

Proposition 10 is an initiative statute that authorizes bonds for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy.

Proposition 11

Proposition 11 is an initiative constitutional amendment and statute that deals with redistricting.

Proposition 12

Proposition 12 is a bond measure that would assist veterans with buying property.

See also February 2008 California elections June 2008 California elections

References

External links November 2008 Statewide Election Results from the California Secretary of State