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