Could California become independent after Trump victory?

On Monday, a group called Yes California officially submitted a citizen initiative to the state attorney’s office. If the proposed ballot measure prospers, Californians would ultimately be asked to vote for or against secession from the United States.

The initiative proposes to repeal Article III, Section 1 of the California Constitution, which currently says: “The State of California is an inseparable part of the United States of America, and the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land.”

The proposal also seeks to add a provision to the California Elections Code, to read that on March 13, 2019, the Secretary of State shall submit a question to state voters: “Should California become a free, sovereign, and independent country?”

Independence for California and Texas, the country’s two largest economies, has always been a vague fantasy for fringe groups

The initiative states that the result of the plebiscite will be considered a declaration of independence if at least 50% of registered voters participate, and if yes wins by at least 55%.

In such an event, “the Governor shall carry and shepherd an application for the newly-independent Republic of California to join the United Nations.”

More than fantasy?

Independence for California and Texas, the country’s two largest economies, has always been a vague fantasy for fringe groups.

But Trump’s recent victory could bring a “Calexit” closer to being a reality. On election night, an angry Silicon Valley businessman tweeted that he was ready to bankroll any such initiative.

In California, the Democratic Party controls the governorship and enjoys reinforced majorities in both houses of the state capitol. Hillary Clinton beat Trump here by nearly three million votes.

Yes California’s initiative will now have to be reviewed by the public and by the state, then published officially before the signature collection can begin. The group has already presented nine other initiatives in the past, but none of them secured enough signatures to make it on the ballot.

This time, secessionists will have to collect 585,407 signatures in order to include the initiative on the ballot for 2018 legislative elections. If passed, this would lead to a special plebiscite in March 2019.

Added traction

Trump’s victory could give the movement new traction. On November 14, the cities of Los Angeles and New York held the country’s largest protests against the president-elect. In L.A., tens of thousands of people occupied Wilshire Boulevard, one of the city’s east-west arteries. City officials praised demonstrators.

Meanwhile, state senate and assembly leaders Kevin de León and Anthony Rendon, both Hispanic, have pledged to do everything possible to defend migrant protection policies in California, the state with the highest number of immigrants in the US.

And Governor Jerry Brown has already warned that California will not relax its policies against climate change, which are among the most stringent in the country.

Ignored two years ago by voters, proponents of Calexit may be facing a more willing audience this time around.

English version by Susana Urra.