California Voters Turn Down No-Fault

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AllPolitics, March 27) -- In what opponents hailed as a victory for consumers, California voters this week defeated a trio of ballot measures that would have mandated no-fault car insurance, limited shareholder lawsuits and capped attorneys' fees.

Prop. 200, the no-fault measure, and Prop. 201, the shareholders' lawsuit measure, were beaten soundly, while Prop. 202, the cap on attorneys' fees, went down to a narrow 51 percent-49 percent defeat.

"These measures were as a group an attack on consumers' rights that would have restricted people's access to justice," Hilary McLean, part of the coalition that opposed that measures. "Clearly the voters in California said they're not ready to give up those rights."

In a state known for its penchant for legislating at the ballot box, voters also defeated a ballot measure that would have allowed the hunting of mountain lions. As suburbs have expanded into foothill areas, there have been more conflicts between hikers and bikers and the big cats. The vote was 58 percent-42 percent.

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