How California’s newspapers line up on the June 5 ballot

Primary day is coming up. (Kent Kanouse/CC BY-NC 2.0)

On June 5, Californians will face a ballot posing some crucial questions about the future of the state.

Among the statewide contests are primary races for governor and a U.S. Senate seat, along with five propositions that deal with matters of spending and taxation.

Over the last couple months, California’s newspaper editorial boards have been declaring where they stand. We combed through the endorsements of the six largest publications by circulation — the San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, and Sacramento Bee — to create a scorecard of support and opposition. (Click the publication names to see the editorials).

•Governor

The major candidates for California governor, clockwise from top left: Gavin Newsom, John Cox, John Chiang, Travis Allen, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Delaine Eastin. (A.P.)

Gavin Newsom: 2.5 (Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

Antonio Villaraigosa: 2 (Union-Tribune, Times)

John Chiang: 0.5 (Bee)

Everyone else: 0

Note: The Bee endorsed both Newsom and Chiang, hence the half points. The Register has made no endorsement.

• U.S. Senator

Kevin de León, left, has struggled to mount an effective challenge to Senator Dianne Feinstein. (A.P.)

Dianne Feinstein: 5 (Union-Tribune, Times, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

Everyone else: 0

Note: The Register has made no endorsement in this race.

• Proposition 68 (borrowing for parks, environment, and water)

Yes: 5 (Union-Tribune, Times, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

No: 1 (Register)

• Proposition 69 (a lock box for transportation funding)

Yes: 6 (Union-Tribune, Times, Register, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

No: 0

• Proposition 70 (lifts threshold on cap-and-trade spending decisions)

Yes: 1 (Union-Tribune)

No: 5 (Times, Register, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

• Proposition 71 (delays effective date for ballot measures)

Yes: 6 (Union-Tribune, Times, Register, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

No: 0

• Proposition 72 (no new taxation of rainwater collection systems)

Yes: 6 (Union-Tribune, Times, Register, Mercury, Chronicle, Bee)

No: 0

To dive into the statewide initiatives and political races, both the Chronicle and CALmatters have published excellent voter guides. The official state guide is here.

And find out what’s on your ballot here.

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