Stanford students and other California residents came out to vote yesterday on seven state propositions, numbered 46 through 52. Propositions that passed will provide for projects such as housing and emergency shelter, education facilities, afterschool programs and water quality. Proposition 52, which would have permitted Election Day voter registration, and Proposition 51, which would have set aside funding for several transportation projects, were defeated.

Proposition 52

Proposition 52, which had 41 percent of the vote as of midnight, would have allowed legally eligible persons to register to vote the day of the election with either a valid California Driver’s License or two proofs of residence.

Students from out of state are required to register again in California in order to vote in state elections for office and ballot initiatives. Proposition 52 was aimed at facilitating voting for those who find registering 15 days in advance a hassle, such as out-of-state students and those who turn 18 near the date of the election.

Despite the proposition’s failure, its advocates still remain proud of the campaign and optimistic for the future.

Proposition 46

Proposition 46, which had garnered 58 percent of the vote as of midnight, supports various housing programs by allowing the state to sell $2.1 billion in bonds. A fund will be created to provide for projects such as shelters for battered women, housing for senior citizens and low-income families, homeless shelters with social services, and emergency shelters.

Propositions 47 and 49

Proposition 47, which had 59 percent of the vote as of midnight, allows the state to sell $13.05 billion in bonds to fund construction of new education facilities to relieve overcrowding and repair older buildings in K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities.

Also addressing education, Proposition 49 — which was backed by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and had 56 percent of the vote as of midnight — increases state-grant funds available to before- and after-school programs, providing tutoring, homework assistance and educational enrichment.

Supporters claim that this will help reduce gang activity, drug use and juvenile incarceration while protecting kids and improving grades. Those opposed said it limited options for balancing the budget in hard economic times and thus takes money away from more critical needs.

Other propositions

Proposition 50, which had 55 percent of the vote as of midnight, authorizes the sale of $3.44 billion in bonds for water quality, water-supply projects, safe drinking-water projects, and coastal land acquisition and protection.

Proposition 51, which had 42 percent of the vote as of midnight, would have allowed 30 percent of General Fund revenues from the sales tax on the lease and sale of motor vehicles to be open to use exclusively for state and local transportation-related purposes, such as road and highway repair and public transportation. Arguments against said it would increase budget deficits, tying up spending on special interest projects during a multi-billion-dollar state budget problem.

Proposition 48, with 73 percent of the vote as of midnight, had the largest number of affirmative votes of the state propositions.