2016 California Proposition 59
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Source: California Secretary of State[1] |
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California Proposition 59 is a non-binding
Background
On January 21, 2010, the
The
The advisory question
The proposition does not having any binding legal effect, nor any direct fiscal effect. California previously used voter instructions in the Article V process in an 1892 proposition placed on the ballot by the Legislature in support of the 17th Amendment (Direct Election of Senators).
The proposition asks, "Shall California's elected officials use all of their constitutional authority, including, but not limited to, proposing and ratifying" constitutional amendment(s) to overturn Citizens United.[8] Under Article Five of the U.S. Constitution, the process for amending the Constitution can only be initiated by either Congress or a national convention assembled at the request of the legislatures of at least two-thirds (at present 34) of the states. Then, at least three-fourths (at present 38) of the states must approve the proposed amendment before it becomes law.[9]
Editorial opinion
Support
- The San Francisco Chronicle stated that even though it is non-binding, Proposition 59 "is too important to bypass" and that it "would affirm this state's commitment to genuine campaign finance reform".[10]
- San Jose Mercury News
- The Daily Californian
- Sacramento Bee
Oppose
- The Los Angeles Times wrote in opposition, citing the difficult process of amending the Constitution, as well as the fact that Proposition 59 does not exactly specify what such a proposed constitutional amendment would actually say. Meanwhile, "Citizens United, which was decided only six years ago by a mere 5–4 majority, could plausibly be reconsidered or narrowed with a change in the court's membership."[11]
- The Ventura County Star suggested voters leave their votes blank to show opposition both to Citizens United and to advisory measures.[12]
References
- ^ "Statement of Vote - November 8, 2016, General Election". December 16, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Cillizza, Chris (January 22, 2014). "How Citizens United changed politics, in 7 charts". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Levy, Gabrielle (21 January 2015). "How Citizens United Has Changed Politics in 5 Years". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 2017-01-24. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Blumenthal, Paul (October 18, 2012). "Citizens United Constitutional Amendment: New Jersey Legislature Seeks Reversal Of Ruling". The Huffington Post.
- ^ McCarter,Joan, "Oregon becomes 16th state to call for amendment overturning Citizens United", Daily Kos, July 2, 2013
- ^ "'Citizens United' Measure Removed From California's Fall Ballot". KQED. August 11, 2014. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Bill Text - SB-254 Campaign finance: voter instruction". Government of California. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ "The Constitutional Amendment Process". The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Chronicle recommends: Yes on state Prop. 59". San Francisco Chronicle. September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ "Prop 59: Don't amend the Constitution over Citizens United". Los Angeles Times. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ "Editorial: Do not vote on Prop. 59". Ventura County Star. September 30, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
External links
- Official Voter guide for California voters, November 2016, pages 12, 64-67.
- Yes on 59