It's up to the voters now: What's at stake today?
Updated, 7:50 a.m. California goes to the polls today. Here's a guide to what's on the ballot and information on how to get voter assistance.
From staff reports

People across the South Bay and up and down the state of California are going to the polls today to decide various local elections and a host of statewide issues.

Here's a guide to what's on today's ballot and how to get voting assistance. Results will be available tonight here at www.dailybreeze.com.

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Need help deciding? Read our previous coverage on South Bay issues and candidates
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Polls: Open until 8 p.m.

Polling place info: Call 800-815-2666 or visit www.lavote.net.

Results: rrcc.co.la.ca.us/elect/. This site includes a link to the secretary of state's Web site for statewide returns on Propositions 73-80.


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PROPOSITIONS

Proposition 73: A constitutional amendment that would require parents or guardians to be notified 48hours before girls 17 and younger could get abortions, except in a medical emergency or with a parental waiver.

Proposition 74: Would increase the time required for public school teachers to pass probation from two complete consecutive school years to five. It also would simplify administrators' ability to fire veteran teachers. Two consecutive poor-performance evaluations would allow removal of a teacher with permanent status.

Proposition 75: Would prohibit public employee labor unions from using union dues or fees for political contributions without annual written consent by members.

Proposition 76: A constitutional amendment that would impose a cap on state spending, give new powers to the governor to make unilateral budget cuts and change the minimum funding guarantee for schools.

Proposition 77: A constitutional amendment requiring congressional and state legislative districts to be drawn by a three-member panel of retired judges rather than by lawmakers. The new boundaries would take effect as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the next scheduled census in 2010.

Proposition 78: Sponsored by the drug industry, it would provide discounted drugs to uninsured Californians making up to three times the federal poverty level. That's about $28,000 for an individual and $58,000 for a family of four. Participation in the program by drug companies is voluntary.

Proposition 79: Sponsored by a coalition of labor unions and consumer groups, it would provide discounted drugs to uninsured Californians making up to four times the federal poverty level. That's about $38,000 for an individual and $77,000 for a family of four. If a company does not participate in the program, the state could discourage use of its drugs in Medicaid .

Proposition 80: Would re-regulate the state's energy market, giving control of electric service providers to the California Public Utilities Commission.

For more information on the statewide election, visit www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov or call 800-345-VOTE.


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SCHOOLS

Centinela Valley: Three seats on the high school district Board of Education.

El Camino College: Two seats on the community college district Board of Trustees.

El Segundo: Three seats on the unified school district Board of Education.

Hawthorne: Three seats on the city school district Board of Education.

Hermosa Beach: Three seats on the city school district Board of Education.

Lennox: Three seats on the school district Board of Education.

Los Angeles (includes Carson, Gardena, Lomita): A $3.9 billion school improvement bond measure.

Manhattan Beach: Three seats on the unified school district Board of Education.

Palos Verdes Peninsula: Three seats on the unified school district Board of Education, a $30 million bond measure for facilities improvements and a $10 million bond measure for grounds improvements.

Torrance: Three seats on the unified school district Board of Education and a measure to abolish the Personnel Commission.

Wiseburn: Three seats on the school district Board of Education.


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CITIES

Hawthorne: Mayor, two City Council seats, city clerk and city treasurer.

Hermosa Beach: Three City Council seats and a measure to add the beach and greenbelt to the Restricted Open Space Zone.

Lomita: Three City Council seats.

Rancho Palos Verdes: Two City Council seats.
 

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