Prop. 35 Voters Say Yes , Human Trafficking Groups Disagree
Some voters in Downtown Los Angeles admitted they didn’t know much about Proposition 35, but others were all for it. Human Trafficking
Proposition 35 would raise the penalty for those convicted of sex trafficking to as high as life in prison. It would also increase fines for trafficking to help support victims.
Dawn, a marketing manager working downtown, was willing to offer her opinion as she power-walked back to work from her lunch break.
“Hell yeah! I fully support stronger laws. Send them to jail for the rest of their life,” she said as she changed from her flip flops to her heels.
She voted in favor of the Proposition because she said current laws are too relaxed.
A graduate of Fordham Law School also voted in favor of Proposition 35.
She has been involved in Human Rights Law and previously did consulting work for the UN on preventative programs for HIV/AIDS.
“I just believe that increasing penalties can’t hurt,” she said. “I don’t think it’s much of a deterrent, but I don’t think it’s a problem to increase the penalties.”
Other voters admitted to skipping the question because of lack of information about the Proposition.
Proposition 35 did not garner nearly as much attention as other Propositions in this election cycle.
Billionaire and former Facebook Chief Privacy Officer, Chris Kelly, was the main backer of this Proposition, spending just over $2 million, according to the Sacremento Bee. Backers of some other Propositions spent over $20 million.
Anti-trafficking initiatives, including the SAGE Project and Chab Dai, did not endorse this proposition.
The LA Times endorsed No on 35, stating that the Proposition will not be effective in reducing sex trafficking and forced labor.
Reach Staff Reporter Anna Catherine Brigida here.