Lassen County, California, 51st State of Jefferson State Split Advisory Question, Measure G (June 2016)
| Measure G: Lassen County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Advisory Question |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 7, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
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| Topic: |
| Incorporation, merging and boundaries of local jurisdictions |
| Related articles |
| Incorporation, merging and boundaries of local jurisdictions on the ballot June 7, 2016 ballot measures in California Lassen County, California ballot measures Lake County state split question Tehema county state split question |
| See also |
| Lassen County, California |
A Lassen County 51st State of Jefferson State Split Question was on the ballot for voters in Lassen County, California, on June 7, 2016. It was defeated.
| A "yes" vote indicated support for a county resolution advocating for a state split to allow counties in Northern California to form their own state. |
| A "no" vote indicated opposition to a county resolution advocating for a state split to allow counties in Northern California to form their own state. |
If approved, this advisory question would show voter 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.[1]
Election results
| Lassen County, Measure G | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 3,964 | 56.16% | ||
| Yes | 3,094 | 43.84% | ||
- Election results from Lassen County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[2]
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Should Lassen County separate from the State of California and become part of a new State of Jefferson?[3] |
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Impartial analysis
The following summary of Measure G was provided by the office of the Lassen County Counsel:[4]
| “ |
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors adopted a declaration on March 17, 2015, conditionally approving Lassen County withdrawing from the State of California and joining a new State of Jefferson. This declaration was conditioned on the matter being submitted to the voters of Lassen County as an advisory measure at the June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election. Measure 'G' allows the voters of Lassen County to voice their general opinion regarding whether Lassen County should withdraw from the State of California and join the new State of Jefferson. A “YES” vote means you support Lassen County withdrawing from the State of California and joining the new State of Jefferson. A “NO” vote means you do not. Section 9603, subdivision (c) of the Elections Code, governing the purpose and effect of such an advisory vote, states: “…advisory vote means an indication of general voter opinion regarding the ballot proposal. The results of the advisory vote will in no manner be controlling on the sponsoring legislative body.” The opinion expressed through the vote on this advisory Measure 'G', while of interest to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors, is not in any manner legally controlling on the Board of Supervisors actions. The Lassen County Board of Supervisors may take whatever action, or no action at all, following the vote. The vote is only intended to gauge public support for the idea. Measure 'G' was placed on the ballot by the Lassen County Board of Supervisors.[3] |
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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."[5][6]
An important step in the state split attempt for Lassen County will be staged by this measure. The board of supervisors in Lassen County voted 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.[7]
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.[8][9]
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.”[8]
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.”[8]
Path to the ballot
In early March 2015, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to put this advisory question on the ballot. The dissenters were Supervisor Jim Chapman and Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Pyle.[1][8]
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 The Sacramento Bee, “Lassen County puts State of Jefferson issue on ballot,” March 17, 2015
- ↑ Lassen County Elections, "Notice of Election for June 7, 2016," accessed June 5, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Lassen County Elections, "Impartial Analysis of Measure G," accessed June 5, 2016
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Yuba.net, "Keep It California PAC formed," April 13, 2015
- ↑ Keep It California, "Home," accessed April 15, 2015
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