The Burrill Report

The polls are long closed, but the results are unknown as California voters have registered sharp division over Proposition 29, a measure that would generate more than $700 million a year for cancer research and anti-smoking efforts through a new $1 a pack tax on cigarettes.

Votes against the measure outnumbered votes supporting it by just more than 40,000 ballots, according to the most up-to-date results, June 8. The vote reflected a tight race, with 50.5 percent of voters opposed to the measure and 49.5 percent of voters supporting it. But with more than 972,000 ballots still uncounted statewide, final judgment on the proposition remained unclear.

“With less than 1 percent separating defeat from victory, we remain vigilant and ever-hopeful, no matter how long the odds,” said the Yes on Proposition 29 campaign.

The measure was opposed by tobacco companies, which spent $46.8 million to defeat the measure. They characterized the measure as a “$735 million tax hike” that was “flawed and poorly drafted.” But proponents, including patient advocacy groups and universities, argued it would bring significant health and economic benefits to the Golden State.

No matter the arguments, California voters were less engaged than usual. Turnout in the June 5 election ranked as the lowest in presidential primary history, according to The Field Poll, an independent political research group.

A final tally of votes could take weeks. The California Secretary of State has 28 days following the election to complete its count of the many ballots cast by mail, as well as provisional and damaged ballots.


June 08, 2012
http://www.burrillreport.com/article-california_smoking_tax_vote_outcome_too_close_to_call.html