This page contains a list of proposed initiative and referendum measures that during the last 60 days have been withdrawn by proponents or have failed to gather the required number of signatures during the circulation period.
1987. (25-0010)
REQUIRES FUTURE VOTE ON WHETHER CALIFORNIA SHOULD BECOME INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Summary Date: 10/15/25 | Raw Count Deadline 04/23/26 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 04/27/2026 (PDF)
Proponent(s): Marcus Evans
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. 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 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. (25-0010.)
1991. (25-0014)
REQUIRES STATE PROVIDE ANNUAL PAYMENTS TO STUDENTS ATTENDING RELIGIOUS AND OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.
Summary Date: 10/22/25 | Raw Count Deadline 05/01/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 05/04/2026 (PDF)
Proponent(s): Kevin McNamee, Marion Marshall, Maria Flores, Cecilia Iglesias, Benito Bernal
Requires state to deposit yearly voucher payments ($17,000 initially, adjusted annually) into Education Savings Accounts for California residents in grades TK-12 attending religious and other private schools anywhere in the United States. Payments will come from General Fund and property tax revenues that currently fund public schools. Eliminates constitutional prohibition on state funding of religious and other private schools. Prohibits state regulation of private school curriculum. Prohibits building, safety, or health standards for home schools that are stricter than standards applied to homes or similar businesses. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: For the state: increased costs, likely ranging from several billion dollars to more than $10 billion per year, primarily driven by payments for students enrolled in private schools (or homeschooling). The state could pay for these costs using revenues it currently spends on public schools or other state programs. For public schools: reductions in state funding based on the number of students leaving public schools. This reduction could range from a few billion dollars to more than $16 billion per year and is separate from any reduction the state might make to pay for its own costs. Public schools would likely respond by spending less on staff, supplies, services, and other activities. (25-0014.)
1992. (25-0015)
ELIMINATES RIGHT OF LEGISLATORS WHO VOTED FOR TEMPORARY CHANGES TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS’ PARTISAN REDISTRICTING TO HOLD SPECIFIED OFFICES FOR 5–10 YEARS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Summary Date: 10/22/25 | Raw Count Deadline 05/01/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 05/04/2026 (PDF)
Proponent(s): Carl DeMaio
Prohibits legislators from holding specified offices after their current term if they voted in 2025 to ask voters to approve the temporary use of new congressional district maps in California until the Citizens Redistricting Commission adopts new maps in 2031, or if they vote for future redistricting measures. Prohibition applies for 10 years to elective office, and five years to appointive office, legislative staff, and other specified offices, in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effect on state or local governments. (25-0015.)
1994. (25-0017)
REPEALS VOTER-ENACTED CHANGES TO PROPERTY TAX RULES FOR TRANSFERS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Summary Date: 11/06/25 | Raw Count Deadline 05/15/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 05/04/2026 (PDF)
Proponent(s): Gina Tse-Louie
Reinstates property tax reassessment exemptions for certain real property transfers between family members (including by inheritance), which voters eliminated through Proposition 19 in 2020, reducing local property tax revenues and eliminating funding source for Proposition 19’s California Fire Response Fund. Allows transfers to children (or grandchildren if parents are deceased) without property tax reassessment of: (1) principal residence, regardless of its current value or continued use as principal residence; and (2) $1 million in other real property. Properties assessed under Proposition 19 may be reassessed under reinstated rules. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Some owners of inherited properties would pay lower property taxes. This would reduce revenue for local governments and schools by around $1 billion per year in the first few years. These losses would grow over time, reaching around $2 billion annually. (25-0017.)
1996. (25-0019A1)
REPEALS STATE LAW THAT PROHIBITS BALLOT INITIATIVES AND REFERENDA FROM BEING SUBMITTED TO VOTERS AT PRIMARY ELECTIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Summary Date: 11/18/25 | Raw Count Deadline 05/29/26 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 06/01/2026 (PDF)
Proponent(s): Gina Tse-Louie
Under current law, as amended by the Legislature in 2011, statewide ballot initiatives and referenda can only be submitted to voters at the statewide general election held in November of even-numbered years, or at a statewide special election. This measure repeals the 2011 law to allow statewide initiatives and referenda to be submitted to voters at any statewide election, including primary elections and general elections held in November of an odd-numbered year. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Likely increased costs to state and local governments, possibly up to the low tens of millions of dollars each statewide election cycle. The extent of the increased costs would depend on whether more citizen initiatives qualify for the ballot. (25-0019A1.)
