- State officials have greenlit a voter initiative named “Calexit” to explore California’s potential independence from the U.S.
- Activists must collect 546,651 signatures by late July to secure a spot on the 2028 ballot.
- Previous secession attempts gained traction post-Donald Trump’s 2016 election but were later suspended.
- A proposed commission to assess independence would cost 2millionannuallyplus2millionannuallyplus10 million for election expenses.
- The latest plan includes creating an “autonomous Native American nation” encompassing almost half of the new state to act as a buffer zone.
The ballot question
Californians are taking steps to put the state’s independence from the U.S. on the ballot in 2028 through the “Calexit” campaign. Activist Marcus Evans, who previously led the “Yes, California” movement, has been given the go-ahead by Secretary of State Shirley Weber to gather signatures for the initiative. This new push for secession comes at a time of heightened political polarization and dissatisfaction with federal governance.
The campaign was authorized last week, and Evans has until July 31 to collect the required 546,651 signatures from registered voters. If successful, the question of California’s independence would appear on the ballot during the 2028 general election. The effort marks a resurgence of the secession movement, which briefly gained traction following Donald Trump’s first presidential victory in 2016 but was suspended in December 2024.
The proposed ballot question reads, “Should California leave the United States and become an independent country?” If voters approve the initiative, a commission would be established to assess the feasibility and potential costs of independence.
Previous secession attempts
The concept of California secession has been around for decades, gaining traction particularly after major political events. In 2016, following Donald Trump’s election, a 2017 poll showed 32 percent support for California secession, up from 20 percent in 2014. However, these efforts were largely symbolic and did not materialize into concrete policy changes.
Marcus Evans, who led the “Yes, California” movement, attempted to capitalize on post-Trump dissatisfaction. The movement gained momentum but was later suspended in December 2024. Evans argued that the political climate post-Trump was conducive to secession efforts, particularly among progressive voters in California.
The latest plan, unveiled at the California State Capitol on July 4, includes creating an “autonomous Native American nation” encompassing almost half of the new state. This zone would act as a buffer between the coastal, more-populated regions and the less-populated, less-federal land in the eastern part of the state. The boundary was decided based on the distribution of federal land and recognized Native American tribes.
The Calexit campaign aims to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, particularly focusing on progressive platforms. The campaign held a rally at the Capitol, calling for an end to the American “occupation” of the state, and released a statement saying that July 4 was “no longer a day to celebrate.”
A legislative commission to assess independence would cost approximately $2 million annually plus $10 million for election expenses. The campaign recognizes the significant financial and logistical challenges associated with such a dramatic change.
Not to be confused with Calexit, there is also the “Cal 3” campaign, supported by venture capitalist billionaire Tim Draper. This effort aims to split California into three separate states — Northern California, Southern California, and plain old California. However, the Cal 3 proposal was blocked from the November 2022 ballot by the California Supreme Court, arguing that such a significant change would require action by the California legislature.
The “Calexit” campaign represents a significant push for California’s independence from the U.S., drawing on historical attempts and adapting to current political climate. With the ballot question potentially appearing in 2028, the campaign marks a new phase in the secession movement, aiming to gather signatures, assess feasibility, and explore the potential costs and implications of state independence.
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