Plan to Split California Makes Ballot

(Photo Credit: Cal3.com)

 

Even if the proposal wins a majority of the votes Nov. 6, it faces a steep uphill climb in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

The November 6th general election ballot in California will now include a proposition that could break up the cash-strapped state, home to the sixth-largest economy in the world, into three separate states.

If a majority of Californians vote in favor of the measure, it would launch an uncertain process that could lead to the first division of an existing U.S. state since 1863 and the creation of West Virginia. Tim Draper, the Silicon Valley venture capitalist who has been pushing the “Cal 3” plan, has long argued dividing the state would lead to more effective and efficient governance by bringing state-level decision making “closer to home.”

The “radical” plan would seek to invoke Article IV, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution, which states:

“New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.”

…

Democrats are unlikely to support the measure due to its impacts on both Congress and future presidential races. As TruNews previously reported, one state would be decidedly “red”—leaning toward Republicans—one would be decidedly “blue”—leaning toward Democrats—and the third would become a “battleground,” meaning it could go either way.

For Republicans the proposal would dilute the political power of the other 49 states by adding seats in the Senate, although it’s unclear if it would have any impact on the House.

Full article: Plan to Split California Makes Ballot (TruNews)