California's November ballot will include questions on modifying the state's "three strikes" sentencing laws and requiring labels for genetically modified foods.
Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Monday that two additional initiatives have qualified for the general election ballot, bringing the total measures slated for a vote this fall so far to eight.
One proposal would change the state's sentencing laws so that only offenders convicted of a "third strike" felony that is violent or serious would face a minimum sentence of 25 to life in prison.
The measure, which is modeled after proposed legislation, would also allow some offenders to seek re-sentencing if they are currently behind bars for a "third strike" that was a minor crime.
The second measure that made the cut today calls for disclosures on the labels of many raw and processed foods containing genetically engineered ingredients, banning producers from calling such products "natural." It includes some exceptions, including for organic products, foods sold in restaurants and animal products supplemented with genetically engineered ingredients.
Validity checks on petition signatures submitted to county election officials projected that proponents of both measures collected the hundreds of thousands of voter signatures needed to secure a spot on the ballot.
The number of statewide measures up for a vote in November is expected to grow in the coming weeks, as county election officials continue to count and verify signatures for a handful of proposals. Three competing tax measures, including one backed by Gov. Jerry Brown, are among the initiatives currently awaiting certification.
The deadline for making the fall ballot through the initiative process is June 28.
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