California Statewide General Election
Tuesday, November 2, 2010, Official Voter Information Guide
Official Voter Information Guide
About Initiatives
Often referred to as "direct democracy," the initiative process is the power of the people to place measures on a statewide ballot. These measures can either create or change laws and amend the constitution. If the initiative proposes to create or change California laws, proponents must gather petition signatures of registered voters equal in number to five percent of the votes cast for all candidates for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. If the initiative proposes to amend the California Constitution, proponents must gather petition signatures of registered voters equal in number to eight percent of the votes cast for all candidates for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. To be enacted, an initiative requires a simple majority of the total votes cast.