Voters Reject Proposition 45 in Major Victory for California Communities and Environment

SACRAMENTO — California voters have decisively rejected Proposition 45, preserving the state's landmark environmental protections for clean air, water and natural resources and delivering a decisive defeat to powerful corporate interests. According to the Secretary of State, vote totals currently stand at 55.9% No to 44.1% Yes. The election results reaffirm the importance of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the role it plays in protecting public health and the environment.

This victory reflects the power of an extraordinary coalition, including 600 groups and elected officials united in defending our environmental safeguards and communities’ right to weigh in on the development of polluting projects. The coalition of unprecedented breadth and strength included organized labor and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, whose members understand firsthand the importance of protecting workers and building healthy, sustainable communities; environmental justice, public health, community and civic organizations; and Clean and Healthy California (CHC), which helped bring these partners together and provide the resources and coordination needed to win.

This marks the second major statewide ballot fight in which CHC has stopped some of the state's largest corporate polluters from dismantling critical environmental and public health protections. In 2024, the oil industry withdrew their referendum seeking to overturn SB 1137, the law establishing health and safety setbacks around homes, schools and other community sites near oil operations, after a sustained statewide campaign by CHC to defend community protections. Now, with the Proposition 45 fight, CHC has again demonstrated the power of bringing together labor, frontline communities, environmental advocates, elected officials and public health leaders to protect California’s future from polluters.

In addition to over $7 million in direct support from Clean and Healthy California, the No on Proposition 45 campaign received its largest investment from CHC partner Wendy Schmidt, reflecting her longstanding commitment to defending public health, the environment and thriving communities. Her substantial investment provided critical resources for the campaign at a pivotal moment, as a federal roll back of environmental safeguards placed an even greater importance on defending California’s laws. 

“California's future cannot be dictated by corporate interests and fossil fuel companies,” said Schmidt. “Our work to stop toxic polluters from overturning California laws that protect communities is just one chapter in a much bigger effort. We will continue building partnerships, finding common ground and growing a movement rooted in strong relationships and a commitment to health and shared prosperity for all Californians.”