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We the People of California do hereby constitute this State, a republic, limited by law and the
respect of People, its provision, to secure the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
ARTICLE I
Section 1 - Supremacy
This constitution and all powers of the State are derived from the People.
This constitution will be the supreme law of the State under the Constitution of the United States.
The State will not abridge or deny the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States.
Section 3- Elections
General elections will be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of even numbered years,
unless otherwise prescribed by law. Absentee voting will be provided by law.
The result of general elections will be determined within four weeks of the time of election. The
terms of elective offices of the constitution will begin and conclude at midday six weeks following the
general election.
ARTICLE II-
Section 2- Election
The Assembly will be composed of Delegates elected from each district of the State. The State will
be composed of forty districts determined every ten years as prescribed in this constitution.
In each district, the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected
Delegates. Delegates will be elected by general election every other year for a term of four years.
Each Delegate may cast a number of votes on each matter of the Assembly equal to the number of
votes received for his or her current election. The number of votes of all Delegates will determine the
majorities of votes required of the Assembly.
Section 3- Qualifications
No person will be a candidate for election as a Delegate from a district of which he is not a resident
at the time of election. No person will be a candidate for election as a Delegate who has not been four
years a resident of the State.
The Assembly will be the judge of general elections and the qualifications of Delegates and of the
Governor.
Section 4- Convention
The Assembly will be a continuous body. The Assembly will meet annually as provided by law. The
Assembly may be convened at other times by the Governor, or by the majority of votes of the Assembly.
Sec 5 – Regulation
The Assembly will regulate itself and may constrain the attendance of Delegates. The Assembly
may remove a Delegate with the assent of a two thirds majority of votes.
The Assembly will elect a Delegate as chair whenever it is convened. A majority of votes will
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may be empowered to constrain the attendance of absent
Delegates, as prescribed by law. Any matter of the Assembly may be called for consideration, or for a
vote, by a majority of votes.
For any speech or debate in the Assembly, Delegates may not be questioned in any other place.
Section 6- Bills
No law will be enacted except by bill. Every matter for which the consent of the Assembly may be
required (except adjournment) will be exercised by bill. Every bill except for bills of appropriations and
bills for the revision of existing laws will be confined to a single subject. Bills of appropriations will be
confined to the subject of appropriations.
Bills of the Assembly will be presented to the Governor, which he or she will either enact entire or
return for further consideration. No bill presented with the assent of two thirds majority of votes will be
returned. Any bill of the Assembly not returned within fifteen days is enacted. The Assembly will present
no private bill.
Bills of the Cabinet will be confined to the subject of a single Department. Bills of the Cabinet will
be presented by the Cabinet Officer of the subject Department by and with the advice and consent of the
Governor to the Assembly, which it will either enact entire or return for further consideration. Any bill of
the Cabinet not enacted within thirty days is returned. Bills of the Cabinet may be revoked by the
Assembly.
No bill will be enacted without the assent of the majority of votes of the Assembly, and the
Delegates assenting will be recorded and published. The Assembly will provide for the publication of all
acts, and no act will become law until published.
Section 8 – Law
The Assembly will make laws as shall be necessary and proper for the interest and welfare of the
State.
ARTICLE III
Section 2- Election
The Governor will be elected by general election for a term of two years. The candidate receiving
the greatest number of votes for the office is elected Governor. Primaries for the election of Governor will
be open to all voters of the State.
The Governor will appoint a Lieutenant Governor by and with the advice and consent of the
Assembly. If the Governor is permanently incapacitated or removed from office, the Lieutenant Governor
will assume the office of Governor for the remainder of the current term of office. If the office of Governor
is otherwise vacant, the Assembly will appoint a person to assume the office of Governor for the remainder
of the current term of office.
Section 3- Qualifications
No person will be a candidate for election as Governor or appointment as Lieutenant Governor who
has not been eight years a resident of the State and is not a resident of the State at the time of election.
Section 4- Powers
The Governor will represent the State to the other states and to the United States.
The Governor will, from time to time, inform the Assembly of the condition of the State.
The Governor may direct the full resources of the State in times of invasion, rebellion or natural
disaster if required for the public safety. The Assembly will limit this power by law.
The Governor has the power to issue pardons, commutations and reprieves, and remit fines and
forfeitures. This power does not extend to removal from offices of the State. The Assembly may overrule
an exercise of this power as partial by a two thirds majority of votes.
The Governor is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the State, unless superseded by the
President of the United States. The armed forces may not be used as posse comitatus, except during
natural disaster and as prescribed by law.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1-
Delegated powers of the State will be vested in the offices of the Cabinet.
Section 3- Removal
The Governor may require the opinion, in writing, of any Cabinet Officer on any subject of their
office.
The Governor may, by appropriate action or proceeding brought in the name of the State, enforce
compliance with the law, or restrain violation of any constitutional or legislative power, right or duty by a
Cabinet Officer.
The Assembly may assert no confidence in a Cabinet Officer, for confirmation by the Governor. A
Cabinet Officer confirmed of no confidence is removed from office. Any Cabinet Officer who becomes a
candidate for elective office will thereby resign his office.
Section 6- Appointments
The Cabinet Officer of a Department will appoint the principal officers of the Department by and
with the advice and consent of the Assembly.
The Cabinet Officer of a Department may, by appropriate action or proceeding brought in the name
of the State, enforce compliance with any law, or restrain violation of any constitutional or legislative
power, right or duty by an officer or agency of the Department.
Section 6 – Limits
Private property will not be taken for public use or public real property conveyed to a private party,
except by and with the advice and consent of the Assembly. No Department will offer compensation to
any party, levy taxes or fees, or derive any source of revenue except by law. No Department will enter
into any contract or obligation with the full faith and credit of the State, except by power invested by the
Assembly.
ARTICLE V
Section 2- Appointment
The Governor will appoint Judges to the Supreme Court and to inferior courts by and with the advice
and consent of the Assembly. Judges are appointed for a term of six years. The Supreme Court will be
composed of not more than nine persons.
ARTICLE VI
Section 2- Equality
No person will be deprived the equal protection of the law, or subject to discrimination under the
law by arbitrary or prejudged class.
Section 3- Education
The State will provide free public education open to all of age.
Section 4- Privacy
The right of the People to private liberty will not be infringed.
The right of the People to be secure in their persons, privacy, residence and property against
search or seizure without reason, restraint and probable cause will not be violated. All searches and
seizure will be limited to the appropriate persons and places to be searched or seized and will be
conducted with court warrant whenever practicable.
Section 6- Arrest
Habeas corpus will not be denied. No person will be held under arrest without being informed of
their rights, the charges against them and the nature of their offense. No person will be held under arrest
without recourse to a public and speedy trial, or without the assistance of counsel.
Persons will be bailable on sufficient sureties, and excessive bail will not be required.
Section 8- Punishment
Excessive fines or penalties will not be imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted. No law
requiring excessive sentence by the courts will be enacted. No sentence will be determined except by or
with the consent of the courts.
ARTICLE VII
The Assembly may propose amendments to this constitution to the People by a two thirds majority
of votes. The People may provisionally enact proposed amendments to the constitution by a two thirds
majority of votes cast at the next general election. At the following general election, amendments enacted
will either be confirmed by the People by a two thirds majority of votes, or removed.