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California secession? Ballot initiative to make state a country is cleared to gather signatures

California secession? Ballot initiative to make state a country is cleared to gather signatures
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      NOWHERE. WELL, A GROUP WANTING CALIFORNIA TO SECEDE FROM THE UNITED STATES IS TRYING TO GET THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT. STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS A GROUP HAS BEEN CLEARED TO START GATHERING SIGNATURES FOR AN INITIATIVE THAT WOULD PLACE A QUESTION ON THE 2028 BALLOT ASKING VOTERS IF CALIFORNIA SHOULD LEAVE THE U.S. AND BECOME ITS OWN COUNTRY. IF IT PASSED, IT WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL IMPACT, BUT WOULD CREATE A COMMISSION TO REPORT ON THE VIABILITY OF CALIFORNIA’S INDEPENDENCE. THE GROUP NEEDS TO GATHER MORE THAN 546,000 SIGNATURES TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT. OF COURSE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A GROUP PUSHED FOR SECESSION. BACK IN 2016, THE GROUP CAL EXIT STARTED A MOVEMENT TO TRY TO PUT THE ISSUE BEFORE VOTERS. AFTER DONALD TRUMP’S FIRST ELECTION, BUT ENDED THEIR EFFORT BEFORE THE ELECTION. EXPERTS SAY THE ONLY WAY TO LEGALLY SECEDE WOULD BE THROUGH A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHICH W
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      Updated: 7:32 AM PST Jan 24, 2025
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      California secession? Ballot initiative to make state a country is cleared to gather signatures
      KCRA logo
      Updated: 7:32 AM PST Jan 24, 2025
      Editorial Standards
      California's first ballot initiative for the November 2028 election has been filed and cleared for signature gathering. It would allow the Golden State to become its own country—separate from the United States.If enacted, the measure would ask voters: "Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?"According to the guidelines, if at least 50% of registered voters participated and at least 55% voted "yes," it would constitute "a vote of no confidence in the United States of America." Furthermore, it would express the "will of the people of California" to become an independent country.According to the initiative's language, it would not change California's current government or relationship with the U.S. However, it would create a commission to report on California's viability as an independent country.The initiative estimates one-time election-related costs, and forming a commission on national sovereignty and independence would cost $10 million. It estimates that operating the commission would take another $2 million in annual state costs. The deadline for circulation is July 22. The initiative requires 546,651 signatures.The U.S. Constitution does not provide for secession. A constitutional amendment would require the approval of two-thirds of Congress and 38 states.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

      California's first ballot initiative for the November 2028 election has been filed and cleared for signature gathering. It would allow the Golden State to become its own country—separate from the United States.

      If enacted, the measure would ask voters: "Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?"

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      According to the guidelines, if at least 50% of registered voters participated and at least 55% voted "yes," it would constitute "a vote of no confidence in the United States of America." Furthermore, it would express the "will of the people of California" to become an independent country.

      According to the initiative's language, it would not change California's current government or relationship with the U.S. However, it would create a commission to report on California's viability as an independent country.

      The initiative estimates one-time election-related costs, and forming a commission on national sovereignty and independence would cost $10 million. It estimates that operating the commission would take another $2 million in annual state costs.

      The deadline for circulation is July 22. The initiative requires 546,651 signatures.

      The U.S. Constitution does not provide for secession. A constitutional amendment would require the approval of two-thirds of Congress and 38 states.

      See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter