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Ballot measures, referenda, and initiatives

A ballot measure is the generic term that includes initiatives, referenda, and propositions. In California, ballot measures are placed on the ballot in one of two ways:

  • The California legislature can pass a bill to place the measure on the ballot, which is required to amend the state constitution, approve bonds, or amend or repeal a statute passed by a previous ballot measure. 
  • Any member of the public can place a measure on the ballot through a petition signed by the number of registered voters that is equal to 5% of the total votes cast for the governor in the last election. 

An initiative is a ballot measure that seeks to pass, repeal, or amend existing statutes or Constitutional provisions. 

referendum is a ballot measure that seeks to repeal all or part of a bill enacted by the legislature within the last 90 days.

Once an initiative or referendum has been successfully met the qualifications and been placed on the California ballot, it is called a proposition

A ballot measure is the generic term that includes initiatives, referenda, and propositions. In California, ballot measures are placed on the ballot in one of two ways:

  • The California legislature can pass a bill to place the measure on the ballot, which is required to amend the state constitution, approve bonds, or amend or repeal a statute passed by a previous ballot measure. 
  • Any member of the public can place a measure on the ballot through a petition signed by the number of registered voters that is equal to 5% of the total votes cast for the governor in the last election. 

An initiative is a ballot measure that seeks to pass, repeal, or amend existing statutes or Constitutional provisions. 

referendum is a ballot measure that seeks to repeal all or part of a bill enacted by the legislature within the last 90 days.

Once an initiative or referendum has been successfully met the qualifications and been placed on the California ballot, it is called a proposition

A ballot measure is the generic term that includes initiatives, referenda, and propositions. In California, ballot measures are placed on the ballot in one of two ways:

  • The California legislature can pass a bill to place the measure on the ballot, which is required to amend the state constitution, approve bonds, or amend or repeal a statute passed by a previous ballot measure. 
  • Any member of the public can place a measure on the ballot through a petition signed by the number of registered voters that is equal to 5% of the total votes cast for the governor in the last election. 

An initiative is a ballot measure that seeks to pass, repeal, or amend existing statutes or Constitutional provisions. 

referendum is a ballot measure that seeks to repeal all or part of a bill enacted by the legislature within the last 90 days.

Once an initiative or referendum has been successfully met the qualifications and been placed on the California ballot, it is called a proposition

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