Signatures being collected for independence from the US in California: Secretary of State issues proclamation

The first week of US President Donald Trump's term has passed. Reacting to the numerous 'controversial' decisions made by Trump, California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber stated in a proclamation published on the state's official website that they have begun collecting signatures for the independence of the state of California.

In California, where the Democratic Party won in the November 5 presidential elections, an initiative has been announced in which state residents will vote to secede from the US.

According to the state's procedures, the campaign proclamation published on the official website states that the proponent of the 'secession from the US' proposal, Marcus Ruiz Evans, must collect signatures from 5 percent of registered voters, which is at least 546,651 people, for the issue to be included on the ballot in the November 2028 elections.

According to the statement, the proponent Evans has until July 22 to submit the collected signatures to regional election officials.

California is known as a Democratic stronghold. Demonstrations are frequently held in the state against Israel's war in Gaza, the US's military operations in other countries, and practices contrary to social welfare policies.

CALEXIT: INDEPENDENT CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN

The proposal for ''California to secede from the US and become an independent state'' has come to the agenda from time to time. Following Trump's 2016 election victory, the 'Calexit' campaign was launched on social media and, according to the campaign's organizers, attracted interest from approximately 220,000 people.

Campaign proponent Evans explains the starting point and process of the campaign in detail on the website where he collects signatures for 'Calexit', a name inspired by the UK's project to leave the European Union, Brexit.

The statement on the site notes that the 'Calexit' initiative aims to secure a future in California where society governs itself.

The site includes the following statement: ''As Calexit, we are united in a single mission: to make California a free, independent, and prosperous nation governed only by the people of California. Make California independent!''

The petition also includes a request for an amendment to the US Constitution, which does not grant states the right to secede.

California had been trying to cope with fires that have been breaking out since last month. Visiting the region, Trump told Californians 'You look like you've been bombed,' and Trump's attitude was met with backlash from Democrats.

HOW WILL THE PROCESS WORK?

Under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees the public's freedom of speech, religion, and the press, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government, citizens have the right to petition the government on any issue.

On the other hand, whether a submitted petition is put to a public vote depends on the type of petition, the state's legal framework, and the purpose of the petition.

As in the 'Calexit' example, for petitions that propose an amendment to the Constitution, if sufficient signatures are collected and the signatures are accepted as valid, the proposal is submitted to a public vote.

The process begins with the proponent submitting their petition regarding the proposal they wish to be put to a public vote to the Attorney General's Office for review.

The Attorney General prepares the elements required to be in initiative petitions and a summary of the proposal, allowing voters to be informed about the purpose and effects of the proposal.

Once the petitions are completed, the Attorney General forwards the documents to both the proponent and the relevant state officials so that the signature collection process can begin. Following approval from both sides, the process of collecting signatures from registered state voters officially begins.

The proponent submits the signatures collected by the end of the allotted time to regional election officials for verification.

Election officials, who check the validity of the signatures and whether the required number has been reached, include the initiative in the next election if they approve the required number of valid signatures.

In the elections, voters are asked a question regarding the proposal to which they can vote 'Yes' or 'No'.

Specifically for the 'Calexit' campaign, California voters would be expected to answer the question: 'Should the state secede from the US and become a free and independent country?'

For the proposal to be accepted, at least 50 percent of registered voters must vote in the election, and at least 55 percent of the votes must be 'Yes'.

In the process to be initiated after the public vote, there are different steps such as forming a commission to report on the conditions for the state to survive as an independent country.

Conditions such as the 20 members who will form the state commission being nominated by at least 100 registered voters and having resided in the state for at least 5 years are required.

US CONSTITUTION PREVENTS INDEPENDENCE

There are no provisions in the US Constitution that regulate the legal secession of a state from the country.

In the 1869 'Texas v. White' decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that states do not have the right to unilaterally secede.

Article 3, Section 1 of the California State Constitution contains the provision that the state is an 'inseparable part of the US'.