In significant developments coinciding with President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a ballot initiative in California advocating for the state to become an independent nation and secede from the United States has progressed through initial legal procedures, having been successfully filed and authorized for signature collection.The initiative seeks to appear on the California ballot in November 2028, and if it reaches that stage, it will pose the question to voters: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” This announcement was made by the California Secretary of State on Thursday, January 23.
In a statement on the official government website, the California Secretary of State noted, “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 further elaborated, “The Attorney General prepares the legal title and summary required for initiative petitions. Once the official language is finalized, the Attorney General sends it to the proponent and the Secretary of State, allowing the initiative to be circulated for signatures.”
The report then provided the official title and summary 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.”
Additionally, the report detailed, “If enacted, this measure will place the following question on the 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 signify ‘a vote of no confidence in the United States of America’ and ‘an expression of the will of the people of California’ to pursue independence.”
The report further indicated the establishment of a commission tasked with evaluating California’s potential as an independent nation. It summarized the financial implications as assessed by the Legislative Analyst and the Director of Finance, estimating approximately $10 million in one-time costs associated with election activities and the formation of the new commission on national sovereignty and independence. Additionally, it projected around $2 million in annual expenses for the commission’s operations.
In outlining the requirements for the secession ballot initiative, the California Secretary of State’s office stated that the measure’s proponent, Marcus Evans, is required to gather signatures from 546,651 registered voters, which constitutes five percent of the total votes cast for Governor during the November 2022 general election, to qualify the measure for the ballot.
Moreover, the office emphasized that the proponent has a period of 180 days to collect the necessary signatures, with a deadline for submission to county election officials set for July 22, 2025. The proponent’s contact information is provided as 6083 N. Figarden Drive, #201, Fresno, CA 93722, and he can also be reached via email at Marcus.Ruiz.Evans@gmail.com or by phone at (415) 595-3394.
