California voters to decide unusual measure on sex trafficking

From Capitol Weekly:

surprise in November when they get to a proposition that deals with a topic rarely listed on a ballot – human sex trafficking.

Proposition 35, dubbed the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act, would expand protections given to victims of human trafficking in court and force stricter punishments for those convicted.

Another rarity for a statewide ballot issue: There’s little or no opposition to Proposition 35.

Polling done by the California Business Roundtable and Pepperdine University shows support at 49% yes, 19% leaning towards yes, and 20% loosely saying yes.

That’s a lot of support, even in a state when ballot propositions traditionally lose ground as Election Day nears. But thus far, there is little opposition – who wants to go easy on human sex traffickers? – and the expectation more than three months before the General Election is that the measure will pass easily. The initiative’s ultimate impact, given the primacy of federal law in this area, is uncertain, but there is little doubt the measure is popular

“These poll results show that even on a crowded ballot, Proposition 35 stands alone as a clear choice for voters and our state,” said Daphne Phung, the founder of a human-rights group called California Against Slavery, which is leading the push for Proposition 35. Phung launched the group after watching a documentary in 2009 about slavery and trafficking.

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