The Latest: California affirmative action measure trailing

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on the California election (all times local):

1:10 a.m.

A ballot measure to reinstate affirmative action in California government is failing. The “no” votes had more than 55% of more than 11 million votes counted so far. Public polling had indicated that Proposition 16 was struggling, suggesting that voters may not be ready to repeal a quarter-century-old ban on affirmative action. A national awakening on race drove a well-funded campaign to reinstate preferential treatment based on race and gender in public hiring, contracting and college admissions. Supporters say such programs are critical to undoing generations of systemic racism and sexism. Opponents say merit alone should determine whether someone gets a job or accepted into college.

12:30 a.m.

A measure to expand California’s digital privacy law has maintained its lead with 11 million votes counted. Proposition 24 was leading with 56% of the vote as of early Wednesday but it was still too early to call the contest. The measure would update a law approved two years ago that gave Californians the right to know what personal information companies collect about them online. Proposition 24 also would triple the fines for companies that violate kids’ privacy. Proponents say the measure will strengthen California’s privacy law and help hold big business accountable. Opponents argue that the 52-page initiative is too complicated for voters and it’s too soon to rewrite a law that just took effect.

12:05 a.m.

A California ballot measure to partially dismantle the state’s 42-year-old system of tying property taxes to the last sales price is narrowly trailing. No votes on Proposition 15 were ahead by more than 2 percentage points with nearly 11 million votes counted Tuesday. The measure would reassess commercial and industrial properties every three years. Residential property would remain under 1978 rules that limit property tax increases to 2% a year until a property is sold. Supporters say the “split-roll” system will go a long way toward fixing inequities that shield wealthy corporations. Opponents call it a massive tax increase.

11:55 p.m.

Los Angeles police arrested about 40 people Tuesday night for blocking downtown train tracks and failing to disperse. Officer Mike Lopez said the people did not leave after officers declared an unlawful assembly. Lopez said there were no reports of injuries and no immediate indication that those arrested had any illegal weapons. Another 30 people were cited for being in an intersection nearby and then released, Lopez said. Hundreds of police officers are stationed around the city in an effort to discourage civil unrest on election night. Earlier, six people were detained near Staples Center during a protest on what police said was “reasonable suspicion” that they may have been about to commit a crime. Police didn’t explain further. However, the crowd of a few dozen people in the area seemed mainly peaceful and those held were later released.

11:30 p.m.

Los Angeles police detained six people near the site of a Black Lives Matter gathering Tuesday night but details remained murky and all six were later released without being arrested. Officer Tony Im said the people were detained at around 8:30 p.m. near Staples Center on “reasonable suspicion” that they may have been about to commit a crime. An LAPD tweet showed several people dressed in black facing a wall with their hands bound with zip ties. The tweet said an “unruly crowd” had gathered and police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered the group to disperse. However, it appeared there were only a few dozen people at the scene, who appeared peaceful, and scores of police in riot helmets. Media reports said protesters were demonstrating against incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, who is facing a challenger in a race to keep her seat. The Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, which opposes Lacey, had been holding an Election Day party at Staples Center. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were among those detained.

11 p.m.

California voters have rejected a measure that would have allowed cities to expand rent control. Proposition 21 would have let cities limit rent hikes on properties that are more than 15 years old. “No” votes led early and the lead expanded to 59% after more than 10 million ballots were counted. Opponents argued that the measure would have discouraged new home construction at a time when it’s sorely needed. Proponents said the measure was an urgent attempt to slow spiraling rent increases. A recent report said more than half of California’s renters spend over 30% of their incomes on rent.

10:55 p.m.

California voters have defeated a ballot measure that would have blunted criminal justice changes designed to ease mass incarceration by reducing penalties and allowing for earlier release. Voters on Tuesday rejected Proposition 20. Supporters said the measure addressed what they called the unintended consequences of two previously approved ballot measures. One lowered penalties for drug and property crimes in 2014, while the second two years later allowed earlier parole of most felons. Proposition 20 would have barred earlier release for criminals convicted of certain serious offenses, increased penalties for repeated retail thefts, toughened parole standards and allowed for broader DNA collections. Opponents said the measure would have set back reforms just as the nation focuses on a criminal justice system that has treated people of color inequitably.

10:40 p.m.

California voters have decisively passed a ballot measure restoring the right to vote for felons on parole. Proposition 17 will change the state Constitution to allow an estimated 50,000 felons to vote. Supporters said the parolees have paid their debt to society and should be able to shape the policies that affect their lives. Opponents said restoring rights early to felons is a slap in the face to their victims. Another voting rights measure, Proposition 18, was trailing. It would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 before the general election.

10:25 p.m. California voters have rejected a ballot measure to require a doctor or highly trained nurse at each of California’s 600 dialysis clinics. With more than 9 million votes tallied Tuesday, Proposition 23 had just 37% of votes. It is the second measure seeking to regulate dialysis clinics that had been placed on the ballot in recent years by unions representing health care workers. The measure drew more than $110 million in spending. Supporters said a doctor is needed at clinics whenever the state’s 80,000 dialysis patients are being treated to make sure they get quality care. Opponents, financed by dialysis clinic companies, said the measure would have created a financial burden that could lead some clinics to close.

10:10 p.m.

A progressive prosecutor promising major criminal justice reforms jumped out to an early lead in the bitter race to run the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon led two-term incumbent DA Jackie Lacey with 54% of more than 2.5 million votes counted Tuesday. The race is a test to see if residents are willing to reform criminal justice following months of protests over police brutality. Lacey is the first woman and Black person to hold the office, and Gascon was a longtime police officer. The winner will run the nation’s largest prosecutor’s office.

9:50 p.m.

California voters were soundly rejecting a measure requiring a doctor or highly trained nurse at each of the state’s 600 dialysis clinics. Proposition 23 was the second measure seeking to regulate dialysis clinics that had been placed on the ballot in recent years by unions representing health care workers. It drew enormous spending. Supporters say a doctor is needed at clinics whenever the state’s 80,000 dialysis patients are being treated to make sure they get quality care. Opponents say the mandate would create a financial burden that could lead some clinics to close.

9:30 p.m.

California voters were narrowly leaning toward maintaining the status quo on criminal justice. Early returns showed they favored keeping the current cash bail system and the criminal justice reforms they approved in previous elections. With more than 6 million votes counted for Proposition 25, about 54% voted against the measure, which would replace cash bail with risk assessments for those awaiting trial. On Proposition 20, which would scale back two earlier ballot measures approved by voters in 2014 and 2016, about 62% of voters were opposed in early returns. The proposition would again bar those convicted of certain serious offenses from earlier release and increase penalties for repeated retail thefts.

9:20 p.m.

A California measure to expand a digital privacy law approved two years ago was leading in early returns, with 57% of some 7 million ballots counted. Proposition 24 would update an existing law that gave Californians the right to know what personal information companies collect about them online. It would triple the fines for companies that violate kids’ privacy. Proponents say the measure would strengthen California’s privacy law and help hold big business accountable. Opponents argue that the 52-page initiative was too complicated for voters and that it’s too soon to rewrite a law that just took effect.

9:20 p.m.

Californians appear split on a pair of propositions that would expand voting rights in the state. Proposition 17 was leading in early returns Tuesday evening. It would change the state Constitution to allow an estimated 50,000 felons on parole to vote. Supporters say the parolees have paid their debt to society and should be able to shape the policies that affect their lives. Opponents say restoring rights early to felons is a slap in the face to their victims. The other measure, Proposition 18, was trailing. It would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 before the general election.

9:15 p.m.

A California ballot measure that would exempt Uber, Lyft and other app-based delivery drivers from being classified as company employees eligible for benefits and job protections was leading in early vote counts. The $220 million measure - bankrolled largely by the titans of the gig economy - is the most expensive in state history. It had 57% of more than 6.6 million votes counted Tuesday. Supporters say Proposition 22 would allow drivers to maintain the freedom to work hours they choose. Opponents say the companies exploit drivers to keep profits high.

9:15 p.m.

A ballot measure to reinstate affirmative action in California government was trailing in early results Tuesday Public polling had indicated that Proposition 16 was struggling, suggesting that voters may not be ready to repeal a quarter-century-old ban on affirmative action in public hiring, contracting and college admissions. Supporters say affirmative action programs are critical to undoing generations of systemic racism and sexism that holds back people of color and women. Opponents say discrimination should stay illegal and that merit should decide who gets into college or work.

9:10 p.m.

A measure that would let California cities expand rent control was trailing in early returns on Tuesday. Proposition 21 would let cities limit rent hikes on properties that are more than 15 years old. “No” votes were leading by about 57% with more than 5.5 million votes counted. Proponents contend the measure is an urgent attempt to slow spiraling rent increases that lead to crowding and homelessness. Opponents argue that the measure would discourage new home construction at a time when it’s sorely needed. A recent report says more than half of California’s renters spend over 30% of their incomes on rent.

9 p.m.

A proposition that would keep alive California’s first-of-its-kind stem cell research program was leading. With about 6 million votes counted, Proposition 14 was ahead 53% to 47%. The measure would authorize a $5.5 billion bond sale to bail out the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which was created by a similar $3 billion bond measure in 2014 but is now nearly broke. With dozens of stem cell research trials underway, supporters say the money is desperately needed. Opponents say that in a pandemic-induced economic crisis, California simply can’t afford it.

8:55 p.m.

The vote on a California ballot measure to partially dismantle the state’s 42-year-old system of tying property taxes to the last sales price was too close to call Tuesday night. Proposition 15 was ahead by less than 1 percentage point with 5.5 million votes counted. The measure would reassess commercial and industrial properties every three years. Residential property would remain under 1978 rules that limit tax increases to 2% a year until a property is sold. Supporters say the “split-roll” system will go a long way toward fixing inequities that shield wealthy corporations. Opponents call it a massive tax increase.

8:45 p.m.

Candidates in high-profile U.S. House battles in California were closely matched in early results. Republicans are hoping to claw back at least some of seven districts they lost to Democrats in a 2018 rout. The fate of Republican candidates in toss-up districts in Orange County, the Central Valley and the Los Angeles area could turn on whether voter disdain for President Donald Trump trickles down the ballot in the heavily Democratic state. In one key battle north of Los Angeles, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia was trying to hold off Democratic legislator Christy Smith. Republicans hold only seven of California’s 53 House seats.

8:07 p.m.

Democrat Joe Biden has won California in the race for president and the 55 electoral votes that are the most of any state. California has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1992. Four years ago, Hillary Clinton trounced Donald Trump by more than 4 million votes. Biden’s running mate, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California, made history as the first Black woman to be a vice presidential nominee for a major political party. She’s also the first Democrat from California to appear on a major party presidential ticket.

5 p.m.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked poll workers and played basketball Tuesday at the Golden State Warriors’ downtown Oakland facility, which is also a polling place this year.

The Democratic governor lost a shooting game to Golden State guard Damion Lee and worked on a passing drill at the team’s former practice facility - now used for youth camps.

Newsom applauded the NBA for opening facilities for voting and ballot drop-offs, as well as the stand taken on social issues by some of the game’s biggest stars.

“I think sports has often been on the leading cutting edge of change,” Newsom said. “It’s been a force for good historically, and some of the most extraordinary icons in the social justice movement happen to be athletes.”

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7:30 a.m.

California’s election is coming to a close as last-minute voters don face masks to cast their ballots at polling places.

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed Election Day into election month for many places in California.

County election officials mailed ballots to all active registered voters for the first time this year to encourage them to avoid in-person polling places during the pandemic.

There’s little drama at the top of the ticket, where Democrat Joe Biden is expected to easily win the state’s 55 electoral votes.

Voters are also deciding the fate of a dozen ballot measures and some closely contested U.S. House races.