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Californians have a lot at stake in today’s presidential primaries, an election that was moved up to February to finally give voters here their appropriate clout. But don’t stop after voting in the presidential contest. The ballot includes seven important statewide measures and, in the city of Los Angeles, a modification of a utility users’ tax. All deserve an up-or-down vote.

Complete editorials are at latimes.com/ endorsements, and a summary suitable for printing is available at latimes.com/ballot.

Here are The Times’ endorsements in the party primaries:

Democratic: Barack Obama. The U.S. senator from Illinois offers a historic opportunity to lead the nation toward constructive change. His life experience and approach are at once global and distinctly American.

Republican: John McCain. A principled conservative, the U.S. senator from Arizona differs from most of his rivals for the Republican nomination in his consistent stand against torture and his pragmatic approach to immigration and environmental issues.

The Times also recommends:

Proposition 91: No. Even the organizers of the “yes” campaign now want you to vote “no” on this ill-considered measure that would make it harder for the governor and Legislature to balance the budget.

Proposition 92: No. This measure would mandate more spending on community colleges while cutting student fees, but it doesn’t provide new revenue. That means the Legislature would be forced to take the money from higher education, transportation, public safety or other important state programs.

Proposition 93: Yes. Reform the broken term-limits law with this sensible solution. Reduce lawmakers’ time in Sacramento from 14 years to 12, but let senators and Assembly members serve all that time in one legislative house, building up needed expertise.

Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97: Yes. Voters already authorized the governor and Legislature to negotiate deals to allow gambling on Native American reservations. Now, petitioners are seeking to overturn four amendments to compacts with tribes in Southern California. The deals are fair. Keep them in place.

Proposition S (Los Angeles): Yes. This measure lowers a 40-year-old city tax on telephone calls from 10% to 9% while broadening it to cover all calls regardless of the technology used. Contrary to opponents’ assertions, the tax has not been found illegal, but it has been challenged. At stake is $270 million in funding vital to providing public safety and other city services.