In a closely contested race, early returns show California voters divided over Proposition 1, a statewide ballot measure aimed at addressing the ongoing homelessness crisis in the state. Championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Prop. 1 would mark the first major update to California's mental health system in two decades. With a simple majority required for passage, definitive results are expected to take days to tally.

Governor Newsom invested significant time and resources in promoting the measure, raising over $13 million in support. Backed by law enforcement, first responders, hospitals, and mayors of major cities, Newsom campaigned for Prop. 1 as a necessary step to tackle homelessness. Despite raising only $1,000, opponents of the measure were not discouraged.

Newsom, refraining from making any statements on Tuesday as votes were counted, had emphasized the urgency for change, declaring that the status quo is unacceptable. For the Democratic governor, Prop. 1 presents an opportunity to address the state's homelessness crisis by enhancing investments in housing and substance abuse programs. However, some social providers express concerns that the proposition could jeopardize programs that currently prevent homelessness.

Darlene Farnum, a retired salesperson from Fountain Valley, Southern California, voted for Prop. 1 despite her disagreements with Governor Newsom on most other issues. Farnum believes that action is needed beyond allowing people to suffer and become homeless. Similarly, Brian Frey, a Sacramento programmer, voted in favor of the measure due to his personal connection with homelessness and mental health issues, as his brother currently experiences homelessness.

The ballot measure itself authorizes the issuance of more than $6 billion in bonds for mental health care and substance abuse treatment. Additionally, Prop. 1 aims to provide housing for the homeless. If approved, the measure would authorize the construction of 4,350 housing units, with half allocated for veterans, as well as the addition of 6,800 mental health and addiction treatment beds.

However, critics express concerns about the proposed restrictions on how counties utilize funds from a voter-approved tax that currently supports mental health services. As it stands, the tax generates between $2 billion and $3 billion annually, accounting for about one-third of the state's mental health budget. Under Prop. 1, counties would be obliged to allocate approximately two-thirds of the funds to housing and programs for homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses or substance abuse problems.

Governor Newsom seeks increased control over how these funds are allocated. Critics argue that a one-size-fits-all approach would overlook variations in the homeless population across counties and potentially pit programs benefiting children against those designed for homeless individuals.

As California grapples with a homelessness crisis that encompasses nearly a third of the nation's homeless population, accurate and comprehensive ballot counting has become a weeks-long process. Mail-in ballots, valid if postmarked by Tuesday, can arrive within seven days following the election. The reliance on mail-in voting significantly extends the tallying period, as each ballot must be meticulously opened, validated, and processed.

To address the homelessness crisis, Governor Newsom's administration has already invested at least $22 billion in various programs, including $3.5 billion to convert dilapidated motels into housing for the homeless. The state is also allocating $2 billion in grants for the construction of additional treatment facilities.

Prop. 1 is heralded as the final piece in Newsom's plan to revamp California's mental health system, with previous efforts focusing on legislation to facilitate compulsory treatment for individuals with behavioral health issues.

As California voters await the final results on Proposition 1, the fate of the state's mental health system update hangs in the balance.