Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
California 2025 ballot propositions
| 2025 California Ballot Propositions | |
|---|---|
2026 »
« 2024
| |
On November 4, 2025, voters in California will decide on one statewide ballot measure, Proposition 50.
On the ballot
November 4:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 50 | Redistricting | Allow the state to use a new congressional district map for 2026 through 2030 |
Turnout at special statewide elections
Proposition 50 is scheduled for a special statewide election on November 4, 2025, with no other statewide elections on the ballot. From 2000 to 2024, there were four special statewide elections held. Two of these were gubernatorial recall elections (2003 and 2021). In 2003, there were also two ballot measures. The other two special elections were for ballot measures, without other statewide contests, in 2005 and 2009.
In 2005, voters decided eight citizen-initiated ballot measures, including a redistricting ballot measure (Proposition 77) and others related to abortion, education, healthcare, spending limits, and utilities. Turnout was 50.1%.
In 2009, voters decided six ballot measures—four constitutional amendments and two statutes—related to the state budget. Turnout was 28.4%, the lowest between 2000 and 2024 for statewide special and general elections.
Amending the California Constitution
Legislature
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the California State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 54 votes in the California State Assembly and 27 votes in the California State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
A constitutional amendment cannot appear on the ballot until the first statewide election that occurs at least 131 days after the legislature’s approval. However, as this is set in statute, the Legislature can amend the rule. In 2020, for example, the legislature approved five constitutional amendments after the deadline had passed. The legislature passed a bill calling a special election that was consolidated with the general election on Nov. 3, 2020. The last time a special election was called for a ballot measure that wasn’t consolidated with a general election was 2005, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) called a special election that included an initiated constitutional amendment on redistricting, Proposition 77.
Initiative
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Historical data
California Historical Ballot Measures Factbook
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of California ballot measures as part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. To view a searchable database and analysis of California ballot measures, click here.
See also
- 2025 ballot measures
- List of California ballot measures
- California State Legislature
- Laws governing ballot measures in California
Footnotes
