California Proposition 54 (2003)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 54 was a California ballot proposition
on the October 7, 2003 gubernatorial recall election ballot. It failed to pass with 3,144,145 (36.1%) votes in favor and 5,541,314 (63.9%) against. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative
process.
Proposition 54 would have amended the Constitution of California
to prohibit the state government
and local governments
from using racial classifications in most of its business. Its official title was Racial Privacy Initiative. Supporters of the measure said it was the first step towards a "colorblind" society, while opponents felt that it would make it more difficult for the state to provide services and identify and correct racial disparities.
This issue might normally have been more contentious had it not been overshadowed by the recall election
of Governor
Gray Davis
on the same ballot.
The question before voters was:
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
California ballot proposition
In California, a ballot proposition is a proposed law that is submitted to the electorate for approval in a direct vote . It may take the form of a constitutional amendment or an ordinary statute. A ballot proposition may be proposed by the State Legislature or by a petition signed by members of...
on the October 7, 2003 gubernatorial recall election ballot. It failed to pass with 3,144,145 (36.1%) votes in favor and 5,541,314 (63.9%) against. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
process.
Proposition 54 would have amended the Constitution of California
California Constitution
The document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of California. The original constitution, adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood in 1850, was superseded by the current constitution, which...
to prohibit the state government
Government of California
The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...
and local governments
Local government in the United States
Local government in the United States is generally structured in accordance with the laws of the various individual states. Typically each state has at least two separate tiers: counties and municipalities. Some states have their counties divided into townships...
from using racial classifications in most of its business. Its official title was Racial Privacy Initiative. Supporters of the measure said it was the first step towards a "colorblind" society, while opponents felt that it would make it more difficult for the state to provide services and identify and correct racial disparities.
This issue might normally have been more contentious had it not been overshadowed by the recall election
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
of Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
Gray Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
on the same ballot.
The question before voters was:
- Should state and local governments be prohibited from classifying any person by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin? Various exemptions apply.
Official summary
- Amends Constitution to prohibit state and local governments from using race, ethnicity, color, or national origin to classify current or prospective students, contractors or employees in public education, contracting, or employment operations. Does not prohibit classification by sex.
- Prohibition also covers persons subject to other operations of government unless Legislature finds compelling state interest, authorizes by two-thirds of each house, and Governor approves.
- "Classifying" defined as separating, sorting, or organizing persons or personal data. Exemptions include: medical data; law enforcement descriptions; prisoner and undercover assignments; actions maintaining federal funding.
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
- The measure would not result in a significant fiscal impact on state and local governments.