Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
California Proposition 8, Restrictions on the Delta Usage Amendment (1980)
| California Proposition 8 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Eminent domain policy and Water |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
California Proposition 8 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in California on November 4, 1980. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported establishing that S.B. 200 may only be revised by a majority vote of the electorate, establishing that no water from the Wild and Scenic Rivers System may be stored or diverted unless established by initiative statute or a statute passed by 2/3 of the legislature, prohibiting the Delta Protection Act from being revised unless approved by the majority of the electorate, and prohibiting any public agency from condemning any water rights in the delta area. |
A “no” vote opposed establishing that S.B. 200 may only be revised by a majority vote of the electorate, establishing that no water from the Wild and Scenic Rivers System may be stored or diverted unless established by initiative statute or a statute passed by 2/3 of the legislature, prohibiting the Delta Protection Act from being revised unless approved by the majority of the electorate, and prohibiting any public agency from condemning any water rights in the delta area. |
Election results
|
California Proposition 8 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
3,918,199 | 53.78% | ||
| No | 3,367,711 | 46.22% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 8 was as follows:
| “ | Water Resources Development and Protection | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Amendment not effective unless SB 200 (1980) enacted and takes effect. SB 200 adds several units to Central Valley Project, including delta peripheral canal, and specifies requirements for these. This amendment provides no statute changing specified provisions of SB 200 protecting existing water rights, water quality, and fish and wildlife resources, or the Delta Protection Act, becomes effective unless approved by electors or, under specified conditions, by two-thirds vote in each legislative house. Restricts appropriations for specified water exportations. Restricts eminent domain proceedings in delta. Establishes Sacramento County venue and sets court preferences for handling actions. Fiscal impact on state and local governments: Undetermined increase in state reimbursement of court costs to Sacramento County and decrease in state travel costs. | ” |
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
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
