Proposed Initiative Enters Circulation

California Autonomy from Federal Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

SACRAMENTO – Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced the proponents of a new initiative were cleared to begin collecting petition signatures yesterday. 

The Attorney General prepares the legal title and summary that is required to appear on initiative petitions. When the official language is complete, the Attorney General forwards it to the proponent and to the Secretary of State, and the initiative may be circulated for signatures. The Secretary of State then provides calendar deadlines to the proponent and to county elections officials. The Attorney General’s official title and summary for the measure is as follows: 

CALIFORNIA AUTONOMY FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Repeals provision in California Constitution stating California is an inseparable part of the United States. Directs Governor, in consultation with those members of Congress who represent California, to negotiate continually greater autonomy from federal government, up to and including agreement establishing California as a fully independent country, provided voters agree to revise the California Constitution. Creates new state commission to research and make recommendations on ways of increasing California’s autonomy and independence. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: At least $1.25 million in added state costs per year for an advisory commission on California autonomy and independence. Unknown, potentially major, fiscal effects if California voters approved changes to the state’s relationship with the United States at a future election after the approval of this measure. (17-0005.) 

The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1801 and the Attorney General’s tracking number is 17-0005. 

The proponents of the measure, Stephen Gonzales, David Marin, Cindy Sheehan, Shankar Singam, and Timothy Vollmer, must collect the signatures of 585,407 registered voters (eight percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the November 2014 general election) in order to qualify it for the ballot. The proponents have 180 days to circulate petitions for the measure, meaning the signatures must be submitted to county elections officials no later than January 22, 2018. The proponents can be reached at (408) 813-7486 or stevegon3@gmail.com. 

### 

Follow the California Secretary of State on Twitterand Facebook.