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About Ballot Measures

There are several types of statewide ballot measures. The June 8, 2010, Statewide Direct Primary Election ballot includes the following three types of ballot measures.

Legislative Constitutional Amendment

When the State Legislature proposes to amend the California Constitution, the amendment must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature and then presented to voters on a statewide ballot. A legislative constitutional amendment does not require the Governor's signature. To be enacted, a legislative constitutional amendment requires a simple majority of the total votes cast.

Legislative Initiative Amendment

When the State Legislature proposes to amend a law that was previously enacted through the initiative process, the amendment must be approved by a majority vote of each house of the Legislature and then presented to voters on a statewide ballot (unless the original measure specifically permits legislative amendment or repeal without voter approval). To be enacted, a legislative initiative amendment requires a simple majority of the total votes cast.

Initiative

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.