Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Lake County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Advisory Question (November 2016)
| Lake County Jefferson State Advisory Question |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Not on the ballot
|
| Topic: |
| Incorporation, merging and boundaries of local jurisdictions |
| Related articles |
| Incorporation, merging and boundaries of local jurisdictions on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Lake County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Lake County, California |
A Lake County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Question was not on the ballot for voters in Lake County, California, on November 8, 2016.[1]
| A "yes" vote would have showed support for a county resolution indicating dissatisfaction with state representation of the rural areas and declaring support for a state split designed to allow counties in Northern California to form their own state. |
| A "no" vote would have showed opposition to a county resolution indicating dissatisfaction with state representation of the rural areas and declaring support for a state split designed to allow counties in Northern California to form their own state. |
This measure would have been an advisory question and would not have had a binding effect.[1]
Background
The push toward forming a 51st state from counties in northern California and southern Oregon has been ongoing for more than half a century. Although some envision a state consisting of counties from both Oregon and California, the efforts for state splits in each state are separate and, according to Tom Knorr, chair of Tehama for State of Jefferson, counties that are able to achieve a state split from California will form a state whether they are joined by counties from Oregon or not. Knorr wrote, "California counties need to split from California, Oregon counties from Oregon. Also historically in the State of Jefferson, there is, at this time no synchronized effort between the states. If California counties manage to split they will proceed with the formation of the state."[2][3]
An important step in the state split attempt for Lake County will be staged by this measure. The board of supervisors in Lake County voted three against two to put an advisory question concerning a resolution calling for a state split—according to Article IV, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution—on the ballot in order to gauge the voters' feelings toward the issue.[1]
Tehama County, Siskiyou County, Modoc County, Glenn County and Yuba County all approved such measures in the past. Voters in Siskiyou County, however, rejected a related but different question when it was presented on November 4, 2014. On the same day, voters in Del Norte County rejected the question, while a similar measure was approved in Tehama County.[4]
Support
Supporters of the Jeffereson State movement argue that the more rural, northern counties of California do not have enough representation in the state government. They argue that residents of northern California would do better in their own state with their own representation, allowing rural interests to be heard.
Flow chart of objective
The following is a flow chart showing the goal of the Jefferson State movement and the path toward that goal:
Opposition
Opponents
On April 7, 2015, opponents of the Jefferson State idea met in Redding, California, and formed a committee called Keep It California to oppose all efforts to split California into parts.[5][6]
Arguments against
Keep It California Campaign Chair Cindy Ellsmore said, "Keep It California PAC was formed to represent the interest of all Republican, Democrat and Independent voters who oppose separation from California. Our mission is to advocate for better representation of rural California and to oppose breaking away to form a new state."
Kevin Hendrick, vice chair of the group, said, “Keep It California is forming Local Coordinating Committees in every county where State of Jefferson proponents are active and has volunteers in 20 counties building these committees to monitor and respond to any incursions by Jefferson proponents. Keep It California will provide material and financial assistance to these local efforts.”[5]
Ellsmore explained some of the group's concerns, saying, “If we separate from California, our communities will lose millions of dollars in funding for roads, education, and social services for youth, families and seniors. Jobs funded by the state through our schools, counties, parks, prisons, police and nonprofit community provide living wage employment which helps support our local economy.”[5]
Path to the ballot
In early March 2015, the county board of supervisors voted 3 to 2 to put this advisory question on the ballot.[1]
Related measures
2016
2014
Tehama County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Question, Measure A (June 2014)
Del Norte County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Question, Measure A (June 2014)
Siskiyou County Jefferson Republic Territory Advisory Question, Measure C (June 2014)
See also
External links
Support
Opposition
Additional reading
- Redding.com, "Political action committee forms to challenge State of Jefferson movement," April 14, 2015
- The Sacramento Bee, "State of Jefferson proponents again try to persuade Plumas County supervisors," April 15, 2015
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Sacramento Bee, “Lassen County puts State of Jefferson issue on ballot,” March 17, 2015
- ↑ Ballotpedia Staff Writer Josh Altic, "Email correspondence with Tom Knorr, Chair of Tehama for State of Jefferson," June 2, 2014
- ↑ Jefferson State movement website, "Home," accessed October, 2014
- ↑ Jefferson Declaration website, "Great Day for State of Jefferson," accessed June 20, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Yuba.net, "Keep It California PAC formed," April 13, 2015
- ↑ Keep It California, "Home," accessed April 15, 2015
 |
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 |
