California Proposition 20, Candidates Who Engaged in Libelous or Slanderous Behavior Amendment (June 1984)
| California Proposition 20 | |
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| Topic State executive elections and State legislative elections |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
California Proposition 20 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in California on June 5, 1984. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported preventing those who have engaged in libelous or slanderous behavior towards an opponent from holding office. |
A “no” vote opposed preventing those who have engaged in libelous or slanderous behavior towards an opponent from holding office. |
Election results
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California Proposition 20 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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2,472,075 | 51.90% | ||
| No | 2,290,901 | 48.10% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 20 was as follows:
| “ | Elected Officials. Disqualification for Libelous or Slanderous Campaign Statements. | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | ELECTED OFFICIALS. DISQUALIFICATION FOR LIBELOUS OR SLANDEROUS CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Adds a section to the Constitution providing that no person who is found liable in a civil action for making libelous or slanderous statements against an opposing candidate during an election campaign shall retain the seat to which elected where it is judicially found that: (1) the libel or slander was a major contributing cause in the defeat of an opposing candidate and (2) the statement was made with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or true. Contains other provisions. Summary of Legislative Analyst's estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: Adoption of this measure would have no direct fiscal effect on the state or local governments. If, however, a successful candidate were disqualified from assuming or holding office as a result of the measure, local governments could incur additional costs if an election had to be held to fill the vacancy. These costs could be significant if the election did not coincide with a regularly scheduled election. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the California Constitution
A two-thirds vote was needed in each chamber of the California State Legislature to refer the constitutional amendment to the ballot for voter consideration.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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