Measure O: Early vote suggests Sacramento support for plan to ban homeless encampments

Updated Nov. 11, 5:47 p.m.

By CapRadio staff

Sacramento voters are weighing in on Measure O, an controversial initiative that would ban homeless encampments on public property.

As of Friday evening, with more than 55,000 ballots counted, more than 30,000 voters were in favor of the measure, and more than 24,900 so far voting “no.” Tens of thousands of ballots remain to be counted, and it may be several days, if not weeks, until there is a final tally.

But this initial result indicates voters support the proposal, which would prohibit groups of four or more individuals from camping on public property. But the city would first have to provide or offer a shelter space, or allow people living on the street to move to a different location. If the person rejects the offer or refuses to move, they could face a misdemeanor charge. 

Measure O would only go into effect if the city and Sacramento County officials agree on a plan to provide services to homeless people. 

The campaign for and against Measure O was contentious, with proponents growing impatient with elected officials’ solutions to the homelessness crisis and opponents calling the measure inhumane. The specter of legal showdowns also loomed over the measure, rooted in disagreements over the ballot measure’s language and intent.