The Attorney General prepares a circulating title and summary of the chief purpose and points of a proposed initiative measure. Proposed initiative measures are cleared for circulation on the day the circulating title and summary is sent to the initiative proponent(s). No petition may be circulated for signatures before it has been cleared to do so by the Attorney General.
Please note: Counties have 8 business days after the filing of a petition to determine the total number of signatures affixed to the petition and transmit this information to the Secretary of State's office (Elections Code section 9030(b)). If no signatures are submitted, a proposed initiative measure will fail on the 9th business day after its circulation deadline.
2019. (26-0001)
CHANGES BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCEDURES AND ELECTIONS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.
Summary Date: 04/07/26 | Circulation Deadline 10/05/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Thomas Jefferson Cares
Allows voting on ballot initiatives at any statewide election, instead of only at the November General Election in even-numbered years or special elections. Creates new election for initiatives in April of odd-numbered years. Reduces number of signatures required to qualify a proposed ballot initiative (for statutory amendments: from 5% to 3.5% of voters from last gubernatorial election; for constitutional amendments, from 8% to 6%). Imposes new 5% tax on taxable income over $10 million to fund statewide elections and additional compensation to government employees with initiative-related duties. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state revenue of several billions of dollars each year to pay for increased state and local elections activities and costs. Likely ongoing reduction in state General Fund revenues each year of a few billion dollars from changes in behavior of people with annual income exceeding $10 million in response to taxes levied by the measure for elections.
2020. (26-0002)
CHANGES BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCEDURES AND ELECTIONS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.
Summary Date: 04/08/26 | Circulation Deadline 10/05/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Thomas Jefferson Cares
Current law allows voters to propose constitutional amendments, but not constitutional revisions (changes that would substantially alter the California Constitution or California’s basic governmental plan), by ballot initiative. Currently, only the Legislature can propose constitutional revisions. This measure:
- allows voters to refer proposed constitutional revisions directly to the Legislature by initiative, and requires the Legislature to take certain actions in response;
- permits the initiative’s proponent to participate in the legislative process for the proposed constitutional revision; and
- allows initiatives to propose enhanced compensation for legislators considering the initiative.
Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: It is the opinion of the Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance that the measure could result, if it went forward, in substantial net changes in state and local finances. (26-0002)
2021. (26-0003)
CREATES CALIFORNIA STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION BOARD TO CHANGE NUMEROUS ASPECTS OF STATE LAW AND GOVERNMENT. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Summary Date: 04/14/26 | Circulation Deadline 10/13/26 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Thomas Jefferson Cares
Creates California Strategic Implementation Board, comprised of state elected officials who each may receive up to $26 million annually (paid from “Sovereign Transition Fund” with revenue generated from state’s “innovation sectors”). Requires Board to propose a constitutional revision on April 2027 ballot that would, among other things: create constitutional rights to cognitive liberty, psilocybin, and paranoia; create social-services shelters called “Yvonne” sanctuaries; abolish the death penalty; allow non-California residents to cast advisory votes in California elections; provide personalized AI tutors to students; and prohibit tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2010. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: It is the opinion of the Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance that the measure could result, if it went forward, in substantial net changes in state and local finances. (26-0003)
2022. (26-0004)
CREATES CALIFORNIA STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION BOARD TO CHANGE NUMEROUS ASPECTS OF STATE LAW AND GOVERNMENT. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Summary Date: 07/14/26 | Circulation Deadline 01/11/27 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Steven Maviglio
Repeals law adopted by voters in 2010 that: (1) allows voters to vote in primary elections for any candidate for congressional and state elective office, regardless of the voter’s party affiliation, and (2) advances to the General Election the two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of their political party (e.g., two Democrats or two Republicans could advance if they receive most votes). Requires Legislature to establish new process for primary elections for congressional and state offices, whereby each party’s candidate who receives the most votes would advance to the General Election. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Unknown, but likely increased state and local government costs to administer elections. (26-0004)
*Elections Code section 9034 requires that once proponent(s) of a proposed initiative measure have gathered 25% of the number of signatures required (currently 136,663 for an initiative statute and 218,661 for a constitutional amendment) proponent(s) must immediately certify that they have done so under penalty of perjury to the Secretary of State.
Upon receipt of the certification, the Secretary of State must provide copies of the proposed initiative measure and the circulating title and summary to the Senate and the Assembly. Each house is required to assign the proposed initiative measure to its appropriate committees and hold joint public hearings, at least 131 days before the date of the election at which the measure is to be voted on. However, the Legislature cannot amend the proposed initiative measure or prevent it from appearing on the ballot.
