Californians gather signatures to secede from the US
California has authorized a petition enabling a vote on the state's potential status as an independent country. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
State officials in California have given the green light to a campaign named "Calexit," aiming for a potential vote on the state's independence from the United States in 2028.
Activists are working to place the issue of California's secession on the ballot. Last week, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber approved a voter initiative that allows proponents to gather the necessary signatures for the November 2028 general election.
Should this initiative succeed, voters will be presented with the question: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” The movement's leaders are reportedly optimistic about garnering broader support than in their previous attempts, particularly following Donald Trump's election victory in 2016.
Marcus Evans, the driving force behind the initiative, has until late July to collect signatures from 546,651 registered voters, which represents 5% of the votes cast in the 2022 California gubernatorial election. The goal is to secure a spot for the secession question on the ballot.
If the measure receives at least 55% approval with a minimum turnout of 50%, it would serve as “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America.” This result would prompt the formation of a state commission tasked with investigating the feasibility of California’s independence, with a proposed 20-member group set to report its findings in 2028.
A legislative analysis prepared for California Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that the state's constitution does not permit secession from the U.S., and the proposal lacks any constitutional amendments. The analysis projected the commission's operational costs to be $2 million annually, in addition to $10 million for one-time election-related expenses.
Evans has previously held the position of vice president for 'Yes, California,' a pro-independence organization that gained attention following Trump’s 2016 presidential win. Although the campaign was initially deemed a “long-shot,” it was ultimately suspended in December 2024, nine years later, as stated on its website.
In an email to CBS News last week, Evans expressed, “We believe that now is the best time to Calexit – NOW we are better situated to make Calexit happen than in 2016.” He highlighted the two impeachments of Trump during his first term and the federal prosecutions against him during the 2024 election as factors influencing the current climate.
Advocates for California's independence frequently cite the state’s robust economy, asserting that, if sovereign, it would rank as the fifth-largest economy globally. California reported a GDP of $3.8 trillion as of 2023.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Activists are working to place the issue of California's secession on the ballot. Last week, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber approved a voter initiative that allows proponents to gather the necessary signatures for the November 2028 general election.
Should this initiative succeed, voters will be presented with the question: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” The movement's leaders are reportedly optimistic about garnering broader support than in their previous attempts, particularly following Donald Trump's election victory in 2016.
Marcus Evans, the driving force behind the initiative, has until late July to collect signatures from 546,651 registered voters, which represents 5% of the votes cast in the 2022 California gubernatorial election. The goal is to secure a spot for the secession question on the ballot.
If the measure receives at least 55% approval with a minimum turnout of 50%, it would serve as “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America.” This result would prompt the formation of a state commission tasked with investigating the feasibility of California’s independence, with a proposed 20-member group set to report its findings in 2028.
A legislative analysis prepared for California Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that the state's constitution does not permit secession from the U.S., and the proposal lacks any constitutional amendments. The analysis projected the commission's operational costs to be $2 million annually, in addition to $10 million for one-time election-related expenses.
Evans has previously held the position of vice president for 'Yes, California,' a pro-independence organization that gained attention following Trump’s 2016 presidential win. Although the campaign was initially deemed a “long-shot,” it was ultimately suspended in December 2024, nine years later, as stated on its website.
In an email to CBS News last week, Evans expressed, “We believe that now is the best time to Calexit – NOW we are better situated to make Calexit happen than in 2016.” He highlighted the two impeachments of Trump during his first term and the federal prosecutions against him during the 2024 election as factors influencing the current climate.
Advocates for California's independence frequently cite the state’s robust economy, asserting that, if sovereign, it would rank as the fifth-largest economy globally. California reported a GDP of $3.8 trillion as of 2023.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
