California Proposition 18, Crimes Relating to Obscenity Initiative (1972)
| California Proposition 18 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Sexual content regulations |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
California Proposition 18 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in California on November 7, 1972. It was defeated.
A “yes” vote supported defining various terms relating to obscenity, recreating tests for defining obscenity, establishing the selling, showing, producing, or distributing specified prohibited materials to adults or minors as a misdemeanor, establishing penalties for convictions of such crimes, and allowing for the injunctions and seizures of materials. |
A “no” vote opposed defining various terms relating to obscenity, recreating tests for defining obscenity, establishing the selling, showing, producing, or distributing specified prohibited materials to adults or minors as a misdemeanor, establishing penalties for convictions of such crimes, and allowing for the injunctions and seizures of materials. |
Election results
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California Proposition 18 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 2,603,927 | 32.12% | ||
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5,503,888 | 67.88% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 18 was as follows:
| “ | Obscenity Legislation | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | Initiative. Amends, deletes, and adds Penal Code statutes relating to obscenity. Defines nudity, obscenities, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, sexual excitement and other related terms. Deletes "redeeming social importance" test. Limits "contemporary standards" test to local area. Creates misdemeanors for selling, showing, producing or distributing specified prohibited materials to adults or minors. Permits local governmental agencies to separately regulate these matters. Provides for county jail term and up to $10,000 fine for violations. Makes sixth conviction of specified misdemeanors a felony. Creates defenses and presumptions. Permits injunctions and seizures of materials. Requires speedy hearing and trial. Financial impact: None. | ” |
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 5 percent. For initiated statutes filed in 1972, at least 325,504 valid signatures were required.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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