
A new ballot measure asking whether California should be its own free and independent country was cleared today, Jan. 24, to collect signatures, according to the California Secretary of State. The new initiative must get 546,651 signatures of registered voters by July 22, 2025 in order for the measure to become eligible for the November 2028 ballot. To put that number in perspective, it is only five percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the November 2022 general election.
A Free and Independent Country?
According to the news release from the California Secretary of State, “If enacted, this measure places the following question on November 2028 ballot: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” If at least 50% of registered voters participate in that election, and at least 55% vote “yes”, it would constitute “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America” and “expression of the will of the people of California” to become an independent country, but would not change California’s current government or relationship with the United States.”
Commission on Viability
If the measure passes from that November 2028 ballot vote, a commission to report on California’s viability as an independent country would be created. However, this new commission on national sovereignty and independence would cost “around $10 million dollars in one-time election-related costs” and “around $2 million in annual state costs to operate the commission.”

California’s New National Anthem?
Since this secession movement is still in its infancy, there’s obviously no word yet on what an “free and independent” California flag or national anthem would be. But it seems that Phantom Planet’s iconic song “California” should be top runner.
California’s Secession Movements
The new initiative was cleared today, but it’s not the first time a proposal has come forth for California to be its own independent country. Interest in pushing for California’s secession from the United States increased in 2016 after the presidential election that year.
The effort became known as “Calexit.” The “Calexit” name is a play on the successful “Brexit” campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. The movement was backed by YesCalifornia Independence Campaign at the time. However, according to a statement on their website, the YesCalifornia Independence Campaign has dismantled and that “moving forward, any efforts to advocate for California’s secession or independence referenda will not be affiliated with or sanctioned by YesCalifornia or the CalExit campaign.”
You can read the full report on the proposed initiative here.