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California Legalize Ferrets as Pets Initiative (2022)
| California Legalize Ferrets as Pets Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2022 | |
| Topic Treatment of animals | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The California Legalize Ferrets as Pets Initiative (#21-0044) was not on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 8, 2022.
The ballot initiative would have recognized ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) as domestic animals, thus legalizing them as pets.[1] As of 2021, a permit was required to possess a ferret in California.[2]
Text of the measure
Ballot title
The ballot title would have been as follows:[3]
| “ |
Reclassifies Ferrets as 'Domestic Animals.' Initiative Statute.[4] |
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Petition summary
The summary provided for inclusion on signature petition sheets was as follows:[3]
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Under current law, California classifies ferrets as 'wild animals,' making it illegal to own them as pets without obtaining a permit from the State. This measure would reclassify ferrets as 'domestic animals.' If this measure were adopted, additional changes to existing state and local laws and regulations would also be required to legalize ownership of ferrets as pets in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments[4] |
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Fiscal impact
The fiscal impact statement would have been as follows:[3]
| “ |
Likely would not have immediate or significant fiscal effects on the state or local governments.[4] |
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Full text
The full text is available here.
Path to the ballot
Process in California
In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5 percent of the votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election. Petitions are allowed to circulate for 180 days from the date the attorney general prepares the petition language. Signatures need to be certified at least 131 days before the general election. As the verification process can take multiple months, the secretary of state provides suggested deadlines for ballot initiatives.
The requirements to get initiated state statutes certified for the 2022 ballot:
- Signatures: 623,212 valid signatures were required.
- Deadline: The deadline for signature verification was 131 days before the general election, which was around June 30, 2022. However, the process of verifying signatures can take multiple months and proponents are recommended to file signatures at least two months before the verification deadline.
Signatures are first filed with local election officials, who determine the total number of signatures submitted. If the total number is equal to at least 100 percent of the required signatures, then local election officials perform a random check of signatures submitted in their counties. If the random sample estimates that more than 110 percent of the required number of signatures are valid, the initiative is eligible for the ballot. If the random sample estimates that between 95 and 110 percent of the required number of signatures are valid, a full check of signatures is done to determine the total number of valid signatures. If less than 95 percent are estimated to be valid, the initiative does not make the ballot.
Initiative #21-0044
Patrick Wright filed the ballot initiative on December 21, 2021.[3]
On February 24, 2022, the initiative was cleared for circulation. Signatures are due August 23, 2022. The initiative did not qualify for the ballot by the June 30, 2022, deadline.[3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ California Attorney General, "Initiative 21-0044," December 21, 2021
- ↑ California Department of Fish and Wildlife, "Restricted Species Laws and Regulations," April 8, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 California Secretary of State, "Initiatives," accessed December 23, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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