Malcolm Rivera
California's ballot proposition is a referendum or initiative measure that voters directly decide on. Ballot measures can be placed on the ballot by the state legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters. Legislative propositions are placed on the ballot as the California Constitution mandates that constitutional amendments must be approved by voters. In contrast, citizen-led propositions are placed on the ballot when citizens want to bypass the legislature and directly address issues. Ballot propositions have been used to decide on a variety of issues, including abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and rent control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ballot Propositions | Referendums or initiative measures |
| How it works | Submitted to the electorate for a direct vote |
| What it can change | Articles of the Constitution of California, California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes |
| Who can place measures on the ballot | California State Legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters |
| Minimum signatures for an initiative petition | 8% for an amendment to the state constitution or 5% for a statute of the number of people who voted in the most recent election for governor |
| Numbering of ballot propositions | Reset every ten years |
| Example | Proposition 1, which would amend the state constitution to include language that enshrines abortion rights |
| Example | Proposition 2, which proposes issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund the modernization of California's public education facilities |
| Example | Proposition 3, which will guarantee same-sex couples an equal right to marry |
| Example | Proposition 4, which will allow the state to borrow $10 billion to address climate change |
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What You'll Learn
- Ballot propositions are submitted to the electorate for a direct vote
- The minimum number of signatures for an initiative petition is 8% for an amendment
- Ballot measures can be placed on the ballot by the state legislature
- California voters granted a constitutional right to same-sex marriage
- Propositions can be placed on the ballot through the initiative power of voters
Ballot propositions are submitted to the electorate for a direct vote
Ballot propositions in California are a referendum or an initiative measure that is submitted to the electorate for a direct vote or plebiscite. If passed, it can alter the Constitution of California, the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes. Ballot propositions can be placed on the ballot by the California State Legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters. The state legislature can place a state constitutional amendment or a proposed law change on the ballot as a referendum to be approved by voters.
The process of direct democracy in California was introduced as a Progressive Era reform in 1911, by a constitutional amendment called Proposition 7. It was supported by Gov. Hiram Johnson to balance the power of corporations over legislators. In 2022, with Democrats holding a supermajority in both houses of the legislature, corporations have used this process to challenge the power of unions and progressive activists.
There are typically 10 issues on the ballot for voters to decide on. For instance, in 2024, California voters decided on 10 ballot propositions, including crime, rent control, and the minimum wage. In the same year, five propositions passed, three failed, and two remained undecided. One of the notable measures, Proposition 2, proposed issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund the modernisation of California's public education facilities.
Proposition 1, which would amend the state constitution to include language protecting abortion rights, was projected to pass in 2022. The Associated Press projected that 65% of Californians voted yes for the proposition, while 35% voted no. The amendment states that California's government shall not interfere in a person's decision to have an abortion or choose or refuse contraceptives.
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The minimum number of signatures for an initiative petition is 8% for an amendment
In California, a ballot proposition is a referendum or an initiative measure that is submitted to the electorate for a direct vote. If passed, it can alter the Constitution of California, one or more of the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes. Measures can be placed on the ballot by the California State Legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters.
The minimum number of signatures for an initiative petition is at least 8% for an amendment to the state constitution. This is in contrast to a 5% minimum for a statute. The number of signatures required is calculated based on the number of people who voted in the most recent election for governor. For example, in 2020 and 2022, the minimum number of required signatures needed to be collected was 997,139 for a proposed constitutional amendment.
The process of initiative and optional referendum was introduced in 1911 by a constitutional amendment called Proposition 7. This was done to balance the power that corporations, such as the Southern Pacific Railroad, had over legislators. In 2022, with Democrats holding a supermajority in both houses of the legislature, corporations have been using this process to challenge the power of unions and progressive activists.
California voters recently decided on 10 ballot propositions, including crime, rent control, and the minimum wage. Five propositions passed, three failed, and two remained undecided. One of the notable measures, Proposition 2, proposed issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund the modernisation of California's public education facilities. Proposition 36, which partly undid sentencing changes from 2014 by reclassifying some drug and theft crimes as felonies, also passed.
Another notable proposition was the projected passing of Proposition 1 in 2022, which would amend the state constitution to include language that enshrines abortion rights. This proposition was placed on the ballot after the Supreme Court's ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which gave states the ability to decide on abortion regulations.
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Ballot measures can be placed on the ballot by the state legislature
In California, ballot propositions are referendum or initiative measures that are submitted to the electorate for a direct vote. If passed, they can alter the articles of the Constitution of California, the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes. Ballot measures can be placed on the ballot by the state legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters.
The state legislature can place a state constitutional amendment or a proposed law change on the ballot as a referendum to be approved by voters. The California Constitution mandates that bond issues and constitutional amendments must be approved by voters. The state initiative power was added to the California constitution in 1911 as part of the ethics reform instituted by Governor Hiram Johnson.
Measures placed on the ballot by the state legislature can propose amendments to the state constitution or secure bond funding for projects. For example, in the 2024 election, five of the ten propositions on the ballot came from the legislature, including Proposition 2, which proposed issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund the modernization of California’s public education facilities.
Alternatively, measures can be placed on the ballot via citizen-led petitions, known as "initiatives," which are efforts to bypass the legislature and directly address issues proposed by the public. The minimum number of signatures for an initiative petition is at least 8% (for an amendment to the state constitution) or 5% (for a statute) of the number of people who voted in the most recent election for governor. For instance, in the 2024 election, five of the ten propositions on the ballot came from citizen petitions.
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California voters granted a constitutional right to same-sex marriage
In California, a ballot proposition is a referendum or initiative measure that is submitted to voters for a direct vote. If passed, it can alter the articles of the Constitution of California, the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes. Ballot propositions can be placed on the ballot by the California State Legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters.
California voters are deciding on 10 ballot propositions on issues including crime, rent control, and the minimum wage. One of the propositions, Prop 3, guarantees same-sex couples an equal right to marry. The proposition passed, granting a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. This move protects the right from possible challenges before a conservative-majority Supreme Court.
Proposition 1, which would amend the state constitution to include language that enshrines abortion rights, is projected to pass. The amendment states that California’s government shall not interfere in a person’s decision to have an abortion or to choose or refuse contraceptives. The proposition was on the ballot after the state legislature took action following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
The minimum number of signatures for an initiative petition is at least 8% (for an amendment to the state constitution) or 5% (for a statute) of the number of people who voted in the most recent election for governor. For 2020 and 2022, the minimum number of required signatures needed to be collected was 623,212 for a proposed statute and 997,139 for a proposed constitutional amendment.
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Propositions can be placed on the ballot through the initiative power of voters
In California, a ballot proposition is a referendum or an initiative measure that is submitted to the electorate for a direct vote. If passed, it can alter the articles of the Constitution of California, the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes. Propositions can be placed on the ballot either by the California State Legislature or via a petition signed by registered voters.
The initiative power of voters, also known as citizen-led petitions, is a key feature of California's direct democracy. This process was introduced in 1911 by Governor Hiram Johnson as part of a series of Progressive Era reforms. It allows voters to bypass the legislature and directly address issues proposed by the public. The minimum number of signatures required for an initiative petition is 8% for an amendment to the state constitution or 5% for a statute of the number of people who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election. For example, in 2020 and 2022, the minimum number of signatures needed was 623,212 for a proposed statute and 997,139 for a proposed constitutional amendment.
Propositions from citizen petitions are typically sponsored by groups that have failed to persuade the legislature to pass a law they want, so they take the issue directly to the voters. This process has been used by corporations and progressive activists to challenge the power of legislators on various issues. For instance, in 2022, Proposition 1, which would amend the state constitution to enshrine abortion rights, was projected to pass with 65% of Californians voting yes.
In addition to citizen-led petitions, the California State Legislature can also place propositions on the ballot. These are known as legislative propositions and include constitutional amendments and proposed law changes that require voter approval. In the 2024 election, for instance, there were 10 propositions on the ballot, with five coming from the legislature and five from citizen petitions.
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Frequently asked questions
In California, a ballot proposition is a referendum or an initiative measure that is submitted to the electorate for a direct vote. If passed, it can alter the articles of the Constitution of California, the 29 California Codes, or another law in the California Statutes.
For a proposition to pass, yes votes must exceed no votes. If the proposition passes, it becomes a part of the state constitution or the state's statutes.
Here are some examples of propositions that passed in California:
- Proposition 1, which amended the state constitution to include language that enshrines abortion rights.
- Proposition 36, which partly undid sentencing changes that voters passed in 2014 with Prop. 47.
- Proposition 3, which guaranteed same-sex couples an equal right to marry.
