Proposition 59

Corporations. Political Spending. Federal Constitutional Protections. Legislative Advisory Question.

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Asks whether California's elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political spending by corporations and unions are unconstitutional. Fiscal Impact: No direct fiscal effect on state or local governments.

Semi-Official Election Results:

Yes votes: 4,278,239 [52.3%]

No votes: 3,900,758 [47.7%]

See Endorsements for Proposition 59

Details

Pro/Con
Pro: 

Proponents of Proposition 59 believe the Citizens United v FEC ruling giving corporations the same rights as people has led to disasterous results. They believe that it has allowed corporations and the wealthy to control politics. They believe that Proposition 59 would be a step towards reversing the decision.

Yes on 59
Yes on 59 Facebook
Yes on 59 Twitter

Con: 

Opponents of Proposition 59 claim that reversing the  Citizens United v FEC ruling would make it impossible for small businesses, churches, and many other organizations to express their viewpoints with political donations. They believe people would lose their Constitutional rights by becoming involved in a company or organization that is incorporated if the measure passes.

No opposition website.

Polling

Visit Ballotpedia for summary data from recent polls and links to the complete published polls.

Voter Resources

Official California Documents

Voter Information Guide 

Campaign Finance Information

Voter's Edge Campaign Contributions
Total money raised, size of contributions, top contributors.

Power Search
Access and download data from the Secretary of State's CAL-ACCESS system.

Nonpartisan Analysis

Ballotpedia

Voter's Edge

KCET Props in a Minute videos

Video Voter - A Guide to California’s Ballot Measures. Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College

Project for an Informed Electorate Initiative Explainer videos, California State University, Sacramento

 

Multimedia
Non-Partisan
KCET Props in a Minute: Prop 59 – Overturning Citizens United
KCET Props in a Minute: Prop 59 – Overturning Citizens United
Sacramento State - Project for an Informed Electorate - Prop 59
Sacramento State - Project for an Informed Electorate - Prop 59
Claremont McKenna College Video Voter - Prop. 59: Instruction on Campaign Finance
Claremont McKenna College Video Voter - Prop. 59: Instruction on Campaign Finance
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