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New Effort Emerges to Split California Into 2 States

On Monday, a group proposing to split California into two states read its Declaration of Independence.The group, called New California, has been behind splitting the state up for several years and has proposed several different versions. The most recent map and previous maps are shown below.

By Kurt Snibbe

On Monday, a group proposing to split California into two states read its Declaration of Independence.The group, called New California, has been behind splitting the state up for several years and has proposed several different versions. 

Previous efforts have failed to pass and even if a measure could get passed, it would not legally split California immediately. The California State Legislature and the U.S. Congress would have to give consent to admit the new states to the union per Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.

Efforts to split the state have been financed by billionaire Timothy C. Draper. In 2017 he submitted paperwork to put the plan to voters in 2018.

Draper was quoted by the New York Times saying, "No one can argue that California's government is doing a good job governing or educating or building infrastructure for its people, and it doesn't matter which party is in place." The complaints are founded in beliefs the most populated state with the equivalent of the world's sixth largest economy is too big.

Carving up California is nothing new. There have been more than 20 significant proposals to carve up the state since 1850. Five years after the state was ratified by the U.S., a group of Southern Californians tried to carve the state into three parts unsuccessfully.

One notable effort was the 'State of Jefferson' proposal in 1941. Several counties in Northern California ceremonially seceded one day a week. The movement died down after World War II began.

(c)2018 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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