California 2003 ballot propositions
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Californians voted on two statewide ballot propositions in 2003 in a special statewide election that took place on October 7, 2003. Both measures were defeated.
This election was on the same day as the recall election for Democratic Governor Gray Davis. The outcome of the recall election held on October 7, 2003, was that Davis was recalled and Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected as Davis' replacement. The option to recall Davis received 55% of the vote. The recall effort was the first successful recall effort targeting a California governor and the second recall of a state governor in American history.
On the ballot
| Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 53 | dedicate upwards of 3% of General Fund revenues each year to fund state and local infrastructure projects |
|
3,020,577 (36%) |
5,318,065 (64%) |
|
| Proposition 54 | prohibit government from classifying people based on race, ethnicity, color, or national origin in public education, contracting, or employment |
|
3,144,145 (36%) |
5,541,314 (64%) |
Getting measures on the ballot
Legislative referrals
The California State Legislature may refer constitutional amendments to the ballot with a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber.
The legislature can refer statutes and bond issues with a simple majority vote, but the governor's signature is also required.
In California, changes to voter-approved ballot initiatives need to be referred to voters for approval or rejection unless the changes further the initiative's purpose.
Initiatives
The number of valid signatures for citizen-initiated measures in California are based on the votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election, which are held every four years. Initiated constitutional amendments require 8% of that total while initiated state statutes and veto referendums require 5%. The requirements for each type in 2003 were as follows:
- Initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 598,105
- Initiated state statute (ISS): 373,816
- Veto referendum (VR): 373,816
See also
- 2003 ballot measures
- List of California ballot propositions
- History of Initiative and Referendum in California
- Laws governing I&R in California
- List of California ballot propositions
- Laws governing ballot measures in California
External links
- California Secretary of State
- California State Legislature
- Official October 2003 ballot proposition guide provided by the State of California
- Official declaration of results
- PDF of the 2003 mailed voter guide
- Spending on 2003 California ballot measures
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