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California Proposition 15, Prohibition of Paid Television Programming Initiative (1964)
| California Proposition 15 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 1964 | |
| Topic Business regulation | |
Status Overturned | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
California Proposition 15 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in California on November 3, 1964. Voters approved Proposition 15. On March 2, 1966, the California Supreme Court ruled that the initiative was unconstitutional.
A “yes” vote supported making it illegal to charge for television programming, with certain exceptions, and declaring all contracts that require such payment void. |
A “no” vote opposed making it illegal to charge for television programming, with certain exceptions, and declaring all contracts that require such payment void. |
Aftermath
Weaver v. Jordan (1966)
On March 2, 1966, the California Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 15 violated the "the free speech guaranties of state and federal Constitutions" and declared the initiative to be invalid.[1]
Election results
|
California Proposition 15 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
4,515,013 | 66.38% | ||
| No | 2,286,775 | 33.62% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 15 was as follows:
| “ | Television Programs. Initiative. | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | Declares it contrary to public policy to permit development of subscription television business. Provides no charge shall be made to public for television programs transmitted to home television sets. Contracts inconsistent with free transmission made after effective date of Act or still executory are void. Act does not apply to community, hotel, or apartment antenna systems, or non-profit educational television systems. Injured person may seek damages or injunction for violation of Act. Repeals Sections 35001-35003, Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to subscription television. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 8 percent. For initiated statutes filed in 1964, at least 468,259 valid signatures were required.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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