Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
California "Definition of a Person" Amendment (2016)
| California "Definition of a Person" Amendment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2016 | |
| Topic Constitutional rights | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin Citizens |
| Voting on Constitutional Rights |
|---|
|
| Ballot Measures |
| By state |
| By year |
| Not on ballot |
The Definition of a Person Amendment (#15-0072) was not put on the November 8, 2016 ballot in California as an initiated constitutional amendment.
The measure would have redefined the term "person" as including "every human organism from the commencement of biological development," therefore extending to them the constitutional rights of equal protection and due process under the law.[1]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The official ballot title was:[2]
| “ | Constitutional Definition of a Person. Fertilized Human Eggs. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.[3] | ” |
Ballot summary
The official ballot summary was:[2]
| “ | Extends constitutional protections of due process and equal protection to all fertilized human eggs by redefining “person” as including each and every human organism from the commencement of biological development.[3] | ” |
Full text
The full text of the measure could be found here.
Fiscal impact
Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state's legislative analyst and its director of finance. The statement reads:[2]
| “ | Potentially significant net costs to state and local governments from the establishment of due process and equal protection rights for zygotes, embryos, and fetuses.[3] | ” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: California signature requirements
- Walter B. Hoye II and Lori Hoye submitted a letter requesting a title and summary on October 1, 2015.[1]
- A title and summary were issued by California's attorney general's office on December 7, 2015.[2]
- 585,407 valid signatures are required for qualification purposes.
- Supporters had until June 6, 2016, to collect the required signatures.
State profile
| Demographic data for California | ||
|---|---|---|
| California | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 38,993,940 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 155,779 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 61.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 5.9% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 13.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 4.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 38.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 81.8% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 31.4% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $61,818 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 18.2% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in California. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in California
California voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More California coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in California
- United States congressional delegations from California
- Public policy in California
- Endorsers in California
- California fact checks
- More...
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 California Secretary of State, "Full text," accessed December 15, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 California Secretary of State, "Initiatives and Referenda Cleared for Circulation," accessed December 15, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
