A new initiative seeking California's independence from the United States has been cleared to gather signatures for the 2028 ballot, reigniting discussions about whether the Golden State could legally become its own country.
The measure, spearheaded by Marcus Evans, requires collecting over 545,000 signatures from registered voters by July 22 to qualify for the ballot. If approved, it would establish a 20-member commission to study California's viability as an independent nation.
However, legal experts say California cannot unilaterally secede from the Union. The state's own constitution explicitly declares California "an inseparable part of the United States of America." Additionally, the U.S. Constitution provides no legal pathway for states to leave the Union - a principle that was settled by the Civil War.
"It's a bit like the song 'Hotel California,'" said Andrew Torrance, co-author of a study on California secession. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."
The push for independence stems partly from California's economic might - if independent, it would rank as the world's fifth-largest economy. Political tensions have also fueled secession talks, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency.
Under the proposed measure, if at least 50% of registered voters participate and 55% vote yes, it would represent a symbolic "vote of no confidence" in the United States. However, this would not change California's relationship with the federal government.
A February YouGov survey found 29% of Californians support secession. While the sentiment reflects real frustrations, constitutional scholars emphasize that actual independence would require amending the U.S. Constitution - needing approval from two-thirds of states.
The current initiative continues California's complex relationship with independence movements. The state flag still commemorates a 25-day period when California briefly declared itself an independent republic, before joining the United States 175 years ago.
Despite growing support for the idea, the legal reality remains clear: California cannot constitutionally separate from the United States. The upcoming ballot measure, if successful, would serve more as an expression of political dissatisfaction than a viable path to independence.