2010 California Proposition 16

Campaign materials, including statewide network television advertisements, cited a $2.5 billion cost for proposed new public electricity projects, and said that voters should have the final say on how public funds are spent.

[2] Opponents included municipal power agencies, which were prohibited by law from campaigning against it.

The opposing campaign was outspent 500 to 1, and was conducted largely over the Internet and at local civic events.

[3] The election was marked by low overall voter turnout, with a stronger turnout from Republican voters, due to several high-profile Republican primary contests on the same ballot, and few Democratic primary contests.

[8] After the election, a wider, 16 point margin of defeat was noted in the northern and central California counties served by Pacific Gas & Electric,[1] while other counties supported the proposition.