In big news coming alongside President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a ballot initiative in California that proposes the Golden State becoming its own nation and secede from the United States of America has moved forward through the first steps of the legal process, having been successfully filed and cleared for signature gathering.
The measure aims to make it onto the California ballot in November of 2028, and, if it makes it to that point, will ask voters: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” Such is what was announced by the California Secretary of State on Thursday, January 23.
Announcing the news on the official government website, the California Secretary of State said, “Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber announced that the proponent of a new initiative was cleared to begin collecting petition signatures on January 23, 2025.”
The announcement from the California Secretary of State continued, “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.”
It then went on to provide the official summary and title of the measure, stating, “The Attorney General’s official title and summary for the measure is as follows: REQUIRES FUTURE VOTE ON WHETHER CALIFORNIA SHOULD BECOME INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.”
Continuing, the report provided more details, saying, “If enacted, this measure places the following question on November 2028 ballot: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” 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.”
Continuing, the report stated, “Creates commission to report on California’s viability as independent country. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Around $10 million dollars in one-time election-related costs and to form the new commission on national sovereignty and independence. Around $2 million in annual state costs to operate the commission. (24-0001A2.)”
"*" indicates required fields
Describing later on what the secession ballot initiative’s proponent must do, the California Secretary of State’s office said, “The proponent of the measure, Marcus Evans, must collect signatures of 546,651 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot.”
Continuing on that same point, the office then noted, “The proponent has 180 days to circulate petitions for the measure, meaning the signatures must be submitted to county elections officials no later than July 22, 2025. The address for the proponent is 6083 N. Figarden Drive, #201, Fresno, CA 93722. The proponent may also be contacted at Marcus.Ruiz.Evans@gmail.com and (415) 595-3394.”