BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Proposition 20, which would pull back on some of the prison reforms passed in recent years, is poised to fail with 72% of precincts voting and 62% of voters choosing no.
In the last decade, California voters and lawmakers have passed a series of laws reducing the punishment for certain non-violent crimes. Prop 20 would have reversed some of that for people convicted of certain property crimes.
In Kern County, 50.62% of voters, or 71,136, voted against Prop 20 while 49.38%, or 69,398 voters, voted in favor.
Supporters said the changes will make everyone safer.
But critics said the measure is a multi-million dollar prison spending scheme and money should be spent on rehabilitation and mental health.
