Yes, Your Vote Matters in California — and Here's Why

California has been a symbol of new frontiers since the gold rush. In the years since, California has led the country toward more progressive policies — in large part because of the electorate. California's state constitution allows for anyone to introduce a ballot initiative if they receive enough petition signatures, meaning voters can directly change their laws.

Earning the description of political trendsetter, California has historically forged a new direction for the country. With 40 million residents, the largest population in the union and 12 percent of all Americans, California's elections reflect what a significant portion of the country wants. And it's usually progressive.

California was the first state to legalize euthanasia, the second state to legalize abortion, and the first state to introduce a property tax cap in 1978 that inspired 40 other states to pass similar legislation. The liberal-leaning population of California has also popularized LGBTQ rights, despite the 2008 passing of Proposition 8. For example, San Francisco elected the first openly gay public official in 1978 (Harvey Milk) and became the first city to marry same-sex couples in 2004. California also has some of the strictest environmental protection laws in the country.

In November, Californians will vote on 17 ballot initiatives, 15 of which were introduced by the people. Notably, though, voters will decide on:

• Tighter gun control legislation
• Legalizing recreational marijuana
• Abolishing the death penalty
• A statewide tobacco tax hike
• Standardizing of drug costs

While it's unlikely that all of these measures will pass, their very existence on the ballot indicates the rest of the country might follow both federally and at a state level.

Marijuana legalization is already sweeping across the United States: recreational use is permitted in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and the District of Columbia. Voters in Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Maine will join Californians in deciding whether to allow recreational use of the plant. If the initiatives pass, the entire Pacific Coast up to Colorado would be marijuana-friendly — which might also lead to federal legalization.

Then there is the issue of gun control. It is already illegal to purchase semiautomatic weapons in California without prior approval from the Justice Department. This election, voters will decide whether to further restrict access to guns and ammunition in the state: Proposition 63 would prohibit "the possession of large-capacity ammunition" and require people to pass a background check before purchasing ammunition. In the wake of innumerable tragedies at least partially related to the easy access of weapons, Proposition 63 could hopefully inspire the rest of the country to follow suit — however slowly.

Given how difficult it has been for tighter gun control measures to pass federally, even after 20 children were murdered in their classroom in Sandy Hook, CT, tighter gun control is a necessity that states will have to enact. California has the capability to lead by example.

California voters also have the power to repeal the death penalty. While the capital punishment is legal in California, Proposition 62 would repeal the death penalty and make life imprisonment without parole the maximum punishment for murder — joining 20 other states in banning the practice.

As the nation faces a choice between an experienced woman who has been a dedicated public servant and a racist charlatan who has undermined democracy, California's progressive ballot initiatives give hope that reasonable change can occur. They also give hope that the entire country does not share one demagogue's opinions. Most importantly, whether or not these initiatives pass, they are a powerful reminder that your vote matters and you have the power to influence how you are governed.