(KTLA) – Another ballot measure asking whether California should be its own country is cleared to start gathering signatures, the California Secretary of State announced Thursday.
According to the guidelines, “If at least 50% of registered voters participate in that election, and at least 55% vote “yes,” it would constitute “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America” and “expression of the will of the people of California” to become an independent country but would not change California’s current government or relationship with the United States.”
Should the measure pass, a commission to report on California’s viability as an independent country would be created.
The initiative estimates one-time election-related costs, and forming a commission on national sovereignty and independence would cost $10 million. Estimates also show that operating the commission would take another $2 million in annual state costs.
This isn’t the first time conversations about California becoming its own country have been raised. In 2016, interest in the CalExit movement increased after President Donald Trump. Marcus Evans, the organization’s former president, is also behind the new initiative.
The new initiative must get 546,651 signatures by July 22 to move forward.
Legally seceding the country would require a constitutional amendment, which would require the approval of Congress and 38 states.
