Will California leave the U.S.? “Calexit” initiative moves forward

A new initiative, known as “Calexit,” has been approved to begin gathering signatures in an effort to make California an independent country, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

Will California leave the U.S.? “Calexit” initiative moves forward
Collage credit: Canva

If enough signatures are collected, the proposal will appear on the 2028 ballot, asking voters: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?”

For the measure to pass, at least 50% of registered voters must participate in the election, and at least 55% (over 500,000 people) must vote “yes” by July 22.

If approved, it would signal “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America” and reflect the will of Californians to pursue independence.

The next step would be the creation of a 20-member commission in 2027 to examine whether California could successfully operate as an independent nation. The commission’s findings would be published the following year.

In 2028, voters would then be asked again whether the state should officially break away from the U.S. If approved, the measure would declare a “vote of no confidence in the United States of America”, but California’s government and its relationship with the U.S. would remain unchanged initially.

Additionally, the proposal calls for the removal of the U.S. flag from all state buildings.

The initiative was introduced by Marcus Evans, a political activist from Fresno, a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Evans had previously attempted to push for California’s secession during President Trump’s first term.

“We believe that now is the best time to Calexit – NOW we are better situated to make Calexit happen than in 2016,” he told CBS News.

According to CBS, the initiative is expected to cost the state at least $10 million, with an additional $2 million per year required to fund the commission.

Earlier, it was reported that the US Senate approved the nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Department of Treasury.

Currently reading