Official Arguments (click ▸ to expand)
✅ San Francisco Chronicle
"Proposition 22 is a battle between two determined and equally unappealing combatants. Proponents consist of the gig economy companies — Uber, Lyft, DoorDash among them — that are pouring $180 million into a campaign to dictate how they would be regulated on workplace issues. Opponents are the labor unions and the politicians they control, who refused to come up with a reasonable compromise in Sacramento. It’s hubris versus hubris, with voters left to make a binary choice in what should be a nuanced policy that would allow the ride-hail and delivery companies to keep rolling in a way that would increase driver pay and protections while acknowledging that their business does not fit within the realm of traditional employment. As imperfect as it may be in many regards, Prop. 22 at least makes an attempt at striking that balance — and will keep the app-based, ride-hail and delivery services operating in California."
🤐 The San Diego Union-Tribune
No stance published.
🚫 American Civil Liberties Union SoCal
"Vote for fair wages and protections for rideshare and delivery drivers.
Prop 22 is a measure written for and by rideshare and delivery app companies. Instead of increasing worker protections, it preserves an exploitive model and denies drivers — the majority of whom are people of color and in most need of these protections — their rights to a minimum wage, paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, and a path to organizing worker unions. Vote NO on Prop 22 to ensure these workers can receive the benefits they deserve."
🚫 Los Angeles Times
"One of the key innovations of app-based companies is their ability to match whatever workers are available to the customers seeking services, enabling individual workers to come and go on their own schedule. The challenge for the state is to preserve that innovation while guarding against the exploitation of those who rely on app platforms for their livelihoods. And it’s a balance that must be struck broadly, not just for companies that lawmakers or voters favor. Proposition 22 doesn’t meet that challenge."
✅ The Mercury News
✅ Orange County Register
"AB5’s backers, primarily labor unions and their advocates in the Capitol, are upset that big technology companies can essentially bypass the state’s inflexible labor rules — the product of a bygone era, when the factory floor and office cubicles were the dominant workplaces. Supporters are trying to use government to hold back inexorable economic changes. … Because of the law’s deleterious effect on many industries, including our own, this editorial board has called for the total repeal of AB5. We don’t like legislating by exemption. Nevertheless, the more exemptions to this legislative monstrosity, the better. Real jobs and services are at risk."
✅ The Desert Sun
“Voters should not be forced to play regulator in what really is a high-stakes tilt between tech firms and labor interests. We believe approval of Proposition 22 will send the strong signal that lawmakers erroneously and harmfully overreached with AB 5, hopefully sending them back to the drawing board.”
🚫 California Democratic Party
"Exempts Uber and Lyft from providing drivers the benefits they deserve. Drivers’ rights over Uber/Lyft profits."
✅ Republican Party
"Protect the Right to Be an Independent Contractor
Prop 22 protects the freedom and flexibility of drivers to work when they want -- providing them with a stable income and giving the whole economy a boost."