California State Legislature
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| California State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 12 years[1][2][3] |
| Session start: | January 3, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
| House Speaker: | Robert Rivas (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: TBD House: Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Brian Jones (California) (R) House: James Gallagher (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 40 (Senate), 80 (Assembly) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (Assembly) |
| Authority: | Art IV, California Constitution |
| Salary: | $128,215/year + Per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | California Citizens Redistricting Commission has control |
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members.
Both chambers of the California legislature have been controlled by the Democratic Party since 1959 except from 1969 to 1971 when the Republican Party held both chambers and from 1994 to 1996, when Republicans briefly held a majority in the Assembly.
California's voters imposed term limits on their state senators and state assembly members in 1990. Senators could not serve for more than two terms (total of eight years) and assembly members could not serve for more than three terms (total of six years). California voters modified these limits in 2012 that modified term limits to allow legislators to serve 12 years total—but could spend all 12 in either chamber (total of three Senate terms or six Assembly terms).
The California legislature has been full-time since 1966.[4]
California has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate[edit]
- Main article: California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Sacramento. The lieutenant governor is the ex officio president of the Senate. The officers of the Senate are elected at the start of each legislative session.
Prior to 1968, state Senate districts were restricted such that one county could only hold at most one seat. This led to the situation of Los Angeles County, with 6 million residents as of 1968, receiving 600 times less representation than residents of Alpine County and Calaveras County, some of California's least populous counties. The Reynolds v. Sims decision by the United States Supreme Court compelled all states to draw up districts that were apportioned by population rather than geography. As such, boundaries were changed such that equal representation was provided.
Senators serve four-year terms. The terms of the senators are staggered so that half the membership is elected every two years. The senators representing the odd-numbered districts are elected in years evenly divisible by four. The senators from the even-numbered districts are elected in the intervening even-numbered years.
As of the 2020 Census, California state senators represented an average of 989,419 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 933,550 residents.
Partisan composition[edit]
| Party | As of October 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 31 | |
| Republican Party | 9 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the California State Senate in 1974. In 2022, they won a 32-8 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the California Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
California State Senate election results: 1992-2022*
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 23 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 32 |
| Republicans | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Before 1992[edit]
Republicans controlled the state Senate with majorities from 1896 to 1956. Democrats split the chamber 20-20 in the 1956 elections, and they won a majority in 1958. From 1958 to 2022, Democrats controlled the chamber except for when it was split evenly in 1968 and 1972, both years when native Californian Richard Nixon (R) was elected president.
State Assembly[edit]
- Main article: California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members to the Assembly, representing a relatively equal amount of constituencies.
As of the 2020 Census, California state representatives represented an average of 494,709 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 466,775 residents.
Due to the state's large population and relatively small legislature, the Assembly has the largest population per representative ratio of any lower house legislature in the United States; only the federal U.S. House of Representatives has a larger ratio.
Partisan composition[edit]
| Party | As of October 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 62 | |
| Republican Party | 17 | |
| Independent | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 80 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the California State Assembly in 1996. In 2022, they won a 62-18 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the California Assembly following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
California State Assembly election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 48 | 39 | 44 | 48 | 50 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 52 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 62 |
| Republicans | 32 | 40* | 36 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Independents | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Before 1992[edit]
Republicans controlled the assembly from 1942 to 1956. Between 1958 and 1994, the only election where Republicans won a majority was 1968, the same year that Republican Richard Nixon became the first native Californian to be elected president.
Elections[edit]
2026[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the California State Assembly will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024. The filing deadline was December 8, 2023.
Elections for the California State Assembly will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024. The filing deadline was December 8, 2023.
2022[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 11, 2022.
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 11, 2022.
2020[edit]
Elections for the office of California State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020. The filing deadline was December 6, 2019.
Elections for the office of California State Assembly took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020. The filing deadline was December 6, 2019.
2018[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2018. A top-two primary election took place on June 5, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in candidates was May 22, 2018.[5]
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2018. A top-two primary election took place on June 5, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in candidates was May 22, 2018.[6]
2016[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[7]
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[8]
2014[edit]
Elections for the California State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014.
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014.
2012[edit]
Elections for the office of California State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2012.
Elections for the office of California State Assembly took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2012.
2010[edit]
Elections for the office of California State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2010.
Elections for the office of California State Assembly took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2010.
Sessions[edit]
Article IV of the California Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 3 of Article IV states that the Legislature is to convene in regular session on the first Monday of December in each even-numbered year to organize. The Legislature must adjourn by November 30th of the following even-numbered year.
Section 3 also provides the governor of California the power to call special sessions of the Legislature.
2024[edit]
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on August 31, 2024.
2023[edit]
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 5, 2022, and adjourn on September 14, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022[edit]In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2022, and adjourn on August 31, 2022. 2021[edit]In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 7, 2020, and adjourn on September 10, 2021. 2020[edit]In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2020, and adjourn on August 31, 2020. [edit]
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The California State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 16, 2020, through May 4, 2020. The suspension had originally been scheduled to last through April 13, 2020. The legislature adjourned on August 31, 2020.[9][10] 2019[edit]In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2019, through September 13, 2019. 2018[edit]In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through August 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2018[edit]In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through August 31, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit]
In 2017, the legislature was in session from December 5, 2016, through September 15, 2017. 2016[edit]
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 4 through August 31. The formal session ended on August 31, but constitutionally the session adjourned sine die on November 30. 2015[edit]
In 2015, the legislature was in session from December 1, 2014, through September 12, 2015. Major issues in 2015[edit]Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included medical marijuana, tuition in the University of California system, a proposed tax increase, internet privacy, regulation of web-based businesses, and healthcare for illegal immigrants.[11] 2014[edit]
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 6 to August 30. Major issues in 2014[edit]Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial budget, prison overcrowding, and water bonds.[12] 2013[edit]
In 2013, the legislature was in session from December 3, 2012, to September 13, 2013. Major issues in 2013[edit]Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included property taxes for education and tax breaks for students.[13] 2012[edit]
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 to August 31. 2011[edit]
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 3 through September 9, 2011. The legislature was convened in an extraordinary session to act upon legislation that addressed the fiscal emergency proclaimed by Governor Jerry Brown (R) on January 20, 2011.[14] 2010[edit]
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to August 31. The legislature held a special session from Aug 27, 2009, to January 11, 2010. The legislature also held three other special sessions during the year on improving the tax system, the budget shortfall, and fiscal emergencies.[15] On July 28, 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) issued a declaration of fiscal emergency. This is allowed under California's Constitution as approved in 2004 under proposition 58. Upon issuance of a declaration of fiscal emergency, the legislature immediately reconvened and was not able to adjourn until after the fiscal situation was resolved.[16][17] |
Role in state budget[edit]
- See also: California state budget and finances
California on 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[18]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning in April.
- Agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January.
- The legislature adopts a budget in June. A majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
California is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[18][19]
The governor is required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.[18]
Legislators[edit]
Salaries[edit]
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[20] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $128,215/year | $214/day |
Pension[edit]
California does not provide pensions for legislators who took office after 1990.[21]
When sworn in[edit]
California legislators assume office the first Monday in the December following their election.[22]
Redistricting[edit]
- See also: Redistricting in California
In California, a non-politician commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Established in 2008 by ballot initiative, the commission comprises 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four belonging to neither party. A panel of state auditors selects the pool of nominees from which the commissioners are appointed. This pool comprises 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, and 20 belonging to neither party. The majority and minority leaders of both chambers of the state legislature may each remove two members from each of the aforementioned groups. The first eight commission members are selected at random from the remaining nominees. These first eight comprise three Democrats, three Republicans, and two belonging to neither party. The first eight commissioners appoint the remaining six, which must include two Democrats, two Republicans, and two belonging to neither party.[23]
Commissioners must meet the following requirements in order to serve:[23]
- Members must have voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections.
- Members cannot have switched party affiliation for at least five years.
- "Neither commissioners nor immediate family may have been, within 10 years of appointment, a candidate for federal or state office or member of a party central committee; an officer, employee, or paid consultant to a federal or state candidate or party; a registered lobbyist or paid legislative staff; or a donor of more than $2,000 to an elected candidate."
- Members cannot be "staff, consultants or contractors for state or federal government" while serving as commissioners. The same prohibition applies to the family of commission members.
In order to approve a redistricting plan, nine of the commission's 14 members must vote for it. These nine must include three Democrats, three Republicans, and three belonging to neither party. Maps drawn by the commission may be overturned by public referendum. In the event that a map is overturned by the public, the California Supreme Court must appoint a group to draw a new map.[23]
The California Constitution requires that districts be contiguous. Further, the state constitution mandates that "to the extent possible, [districts] must ... preserve the geographic integrity of cities, counties, neighborhoods and communities of interest." Districts must also "encourage compactness." State Senate and Assembly districts should be nested within each other where possible.[23]
2020[edit]
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted 14-0 in favor of a new state Assembly and Senate district maps on December 20, 2021, and delivered those maps to the secretary of state on December 27, 2021.[24][25] These maps took effect for California's 2022 state legislative elections.
Legislative sessions[edit]
Length[edit]
- See also: States with a full-time legislature
As of 2021, California was one of 10 states defined as having a full-time legislature. A full-time state legislature is defined as a legislature that meets throughout the year.
Terms and term limits[edit]
California voters imposed term limits on the California Legislature in 1990, when they voted in favor of Proposition 140 by a margin of 52-48%. Proposition 140 limited state assembly members to three two-year terms and state senators to two four-year terms, and imposed a lifelong ban against seeking the same office once the limits have been reached. These term limits were modified in 2012 with the passing of Proposition 28, which permits a politician to serve in either or both chambers of the legislature for a maximum of 12 lifetime years.
Bates v. Jones[edit]
In the case of Bates v. Jones, Bates--a termed-out Assemblyman--sued in federal court to have the provisions of Proposition 140 declared unconstitutional. A federal court agreed with his claim, before the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled against him, keeping the limits in place.
Proposition 45 in 2002[edit]
- Main article: California Proposition 45 (2002)
California State Senate president pro tem John Burton (D-San Francisco) vigorously sponsored an effort in 2002 to rollback the provisions of 1990s Proposition 140 by putting Proposition 45 on the March 2002 ballot. Voters rejected Proposition 45 by a margin of 42-58%. Had Proposition 45 passed, it would have allowed state legislators to serve for four years beyond the limits allowed by Proposition 140.
Proposition 93 in 2008[edit]
- Main article: California Proposition 93 (2008)
Proposition 93, an initiated constitutional amendment supported by Don Perata was defeated 53.6% to 46.4% during the statewide primary election on February 5, 2008. Had it passed, members of the California State Legislature would have been allowed to remain in their current office up to 12 years.
Proposition 28 in 2012[edit]
Proposition 28 was an initiated constitutional amendment that was approved with 61.0% to 39.0% of the vote during the statewide primary election on June 5, 2012. The ballot measure reduced the total number of years a politician can serve in the California State Legislature from 14 years to 12 years and permitted a politician to serve in either or both chambers of the legislature for a maximum of 12 years. The changes did not apply to any legislator who was already in office at the time that the initiative was approved; the rules governing the terms of those who are in the California State Legislature as of June 5, 2012, were calculated under the previous rules.
District maps[edit]
State Senate[edit]
Note: Two sets of overlapping California State Senate maps are in effect because the state's adopted redistricting plan takes effect in two phases. Even-numbered districts use boundaries from the post-2020 census map, while odd-numbered districts use boundaries adopted after the 2010 census. As a result, an area may be represented by two Senators, or may not be represented by any Senator, during the 2023-24 legislative session. The state Senate map enacted after the 2020 census will fully take effect after the 2024 elections.
State Assembly[edit]
Veto overrides[edit]
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in California are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 54 of the 80 members in the California State Assembly and 27 of the 40 members in the California State Senate. California is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Are there other special rules?
| The California Legislature has 60 days to override a veto after it has been returned by the governor.[26] |
Authority: Article IV, Section 10 of the California Constitution.
| "Each bill passed by the Legislature shall be presented to the Governor. It becomes a statute if it is signed by the Governor. The Governor may veto it by returning it with any objections to the house of origin, which shall enter the objections in the journal and proceed to reconsider it. If each house then passes the bill by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring, it becomes a statute." |
History[edit]
Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]
California State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the California State Senate for all 22 years. The California State Senate is one of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, California was under Democratic trifectas.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
California State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the California State House of Representatives for all 22 years. The California State House is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, California was under Democratic trifectas.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of California, the California State Senate and the California House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship[edit]
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the California state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. California has never had a Republican trifecta, but did have Democratic trifectas between the years 1999 and 2003 and again after 2010 to the present. California fell steadily in the SQLI ranking until finally reaching the bottom-10 in 2010. The state reached its highest ranking (28th) in 1998 and 1999, first under divided government and then under a Democratic trifecta. The state’s lowest ranking (48th) occurred recently in 2012 under a Democratic trifecta. Except for the years 1995 and 1996, the California legislature has been consistently under Democratic control.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 37.00
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with divided government: 35.21
Initiative rights[edit]
Although the California Constitution establishes the right of California citizens to directly legislate vian initiated constitutional amendments and initiated state statutes, the state legislature develops the ground rules for most of the details of the laws governing the initiative process in California. Through these rules, it can make the initiative process easier or harder, and less expensive or more expensive.
The state legislature can also propose constitutional changes to the initiative process. Several such changes were proposed in the 2009-2010 session of the state legislature. The sponsors of these changes hope to gain the approval of enough of their fellow legislators to qualify their proposed changes for the 2010 ballot.
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | ACA 13 | Direct democracy measures | Give state legislature right to change initiated constitutional amendments after signatures are collected | Edward Hernandez |
| Direct democracy measures | Limit to five the number of initiatives on any single statewide ballot. | Edward Hernandez | ||
| LRCA | ACA 20 | Direct democracy measures | California Legislative Analyst's Office would write ballot titles instead of the attorney general | Roger Niello |
| LRCA | ACA 21 | Direct democracy measures | To be approved, a ballot initiative would require a 2/3rds vote rather than the current simple majority | Charles Calderon |
| LRCA | SCA 16 | Direct democracy measures | Fewer signatures needed for initiatives if first reviewed by legislature | Mark DeSaulnier |
Ballot referrals[edit]
The California State Legislature has the authority to refer statewide ballot propositions to the ballot; these can be:
- Constitutional amendments to the California Constitution.
- Legislatively-referred state statutes, including bond issues.
In November 2009, Robert Stern of the Center for Governmental Studies told the Senate and Assembly Select Committees on Improving State Government at a hearing in Oakland that of the 68 ballot measures approved between 1988 and 2009 that had a price tag attached to them, 51 (or 75%) were legislatively referred constitutional amendments or legislatively referred state statutes. The legislatively referred measures cost $9.8 billion versus $2.05 billion for citizen-initiated measures, according to the CGS.[27]
| Year | Referred amendments | Referred statutes | Total referrals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2008 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1 | - | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 2000 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| 1998 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 1996 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| 1994 | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| 1993 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 1992 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 1990 | 8 | 19 | 27 |
| 1988 | 9 | 14 | 23 |
| 1986 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
Joint legislative committees[edit]
- See also: Public policy in California
The California State Legislature has seven joint standing committees.
- Arts
- Emergency Management
- Fairs, Allocation, and Classification
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Legislative Audit
- Legislative Budget
- Rules
Constitutional amendments[edit]
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the California Constitution can be amended:
- See also: Article II and Article XVIII of the California Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in California
The California Constitution can be amended in these ways:
- Through the process of a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. This procedure is defined in Section 1 of Article XVIII of the California Constitution. According to that section:
- Two-thirds of the membership of each chamber of the California State Legislature must propose an amendment, which then goes on a statewide ballot to be ratified or rejected by the state's voters.
- The state legislature is allowed to propose revisions (not just amendments) to the constitution.
- If measures conflict, and they both get more than 50 percent of the vote, the one with the highest number of votes prevails.
- Ratified amendments take effect the day after the election.
- Through the process of an initiated constitutional amendment, according to Section 3 of Article XVIII and Section 8 of Article II.
- Petitioners can collect signatures equaling eight percent of the most recent total number of votes cast for the office of governor to qualify a proposed amendment for the ballot.
- See Ballotpedia's page on laws governing the initiative process in California for full details on the process and requirements of an initiated constitutional amendment in California.
- Through the process of a constitutional convention. According to Section 2 of Article XVIII, if two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the state legislature agree, a question as to whether to call a convention or revise the constitution goes on the state's next general election ballot.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.
- See also: California 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
| California Proposition 3, Right to Marry and Repeal Proposition 8 Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 27 | Yes votes: 31 (77.5%) | No votes: 0 (0.0%) | Yes: 30; No: 0 | Yes: 1; No: 0 |
| House: | Required: 54 | Yes votes: 67 (83.8%) | No votes: 0 (0.00%) | Yes: 58; No: 0 | Yes: 9; No: 0 |
| California Proposition 5, Lower Supermajority Requirement to 55% for Local Bond Measures to Fund Housing and Public Infrastructure Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 2727 | Yes votes: 2931 (72.577.5%) | No votes: 108 (25.020.0%) | Yes: 2931; No: 20 | Yes: 00; No: 88 |
| House: | Required: 5453 | Yes votes: 5554 (68.7568.4%) | No votes: 128 (15.0010.1%) | Yes: 5554; No: 00 | Yes: 00; No: 128 |
| California Proposition 6, Remove Involuntary Servitude as Punishment for Crime Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 27 | Yes votes: 33 (82.5%) | No votes: 3 (7.5%) | Yes: 32; No: 0 | Yes: 1; No: 3 |
| House: | Required: 54 | Yes votes: 68 (85.0%) | No votes: 0 (0.0%) | Yes: 61; No: 0 | Yes: 7; No: 0 |
| California Proposition 2, Public Education Facilities Bond Measure | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 27 | Yes votes: 34 (85.0%) | No votes: 3 (7.5%) | Yes: 31; No: 0 | Yes: 3; No: 3 |
| House: | Required: 54 | Yes votes: 72 (91.1%) | No votes: 1 (1.3%) | Yes: 61; No: 0 | Yes: 11; No: 1 |
| California Proposition 4, Parks, Environment, Energy, and Water Bond Measure | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 27 | Yes votes: 33 (82.5%) | No votes: 5 (12.5%) | Yes: 32; No: 0 | Yes: 1; No: 5 |
| House: | Required: 54 | Yes votes: 66 (83.5%) | No votes: 6 (7.6%) | Yes: 60; No: 1 | Yes: 6; No: 5 |
See also[edit]
| Elections | California State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Senators who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Senate, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. Senators elected to the State Legislature prior to the passage of Proposition 28 are bound by two four-year terms in the State Senate and three two-year terms in the State Assembly established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Assembly Members who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Assembly, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. However, Members elected to the State Assembly prior to the passage of Proposition 28 may serve a maximum of three two-year terms established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ California State Assembly Office of the Chief Clerk, "Elected Officials," accessed January 22, 2019
- ↑ Santa Cruz Sentinel, "Laird leads fight against part-time Legislature," September 26, 2009
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed June 19, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed June 19, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ The Los Angeles Times, "California lawmakers approve $1 billion in funding and legislative hiatus due to coronavirus," March 16, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "California Legislature plans May 4 return as coronavirus disrupts public life," April 3, 2020
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Key issues for returning California Legislature," January 5, 2015
- ↑ acwa.com, "2014 Legislative Year Begins in Sacramento," January 6, 2014
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Calif. Democrats ponder their new power," December 2, 2012
- ↑ ncsl.org, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ ncsl.org, "Session dates for California legislature, 2010," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency, Issues Executive Order to Impose Furloughs Due to Cash Crisis Caused By Budget Impasse," accessed August 24, 2010
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Executive Order S-12-10," accessed August 24, 2010
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
- ↑ California Constitution, "Article 4, Section 2. (a)(3)," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 All About Redistricting, "California," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "California’s new congressional map boosts Democrats," Dec. 21, 2021
- ↑ Lake County News, "California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivers maps to California Secretary of State," Dec. 28, 2021
- ↑ calafco.org, "Legislative Procedure," accessed July 3, 2017
- ↑ Contra Costa Times, "Legislators, not citizens, put pricey measures on the ballot," November 18, 2009
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