Ballot Question Would Reverse Calif. Law Prohibiting Federal E-Verify Software

A proposed ballot question would overturn a California law that prohibits state and local governments from requiring private companies to use federal electronic employment-verification systems to ensure their employees are legally approved to work in the United States.

The petition was put forward by Rick Oltman, national media director for Californians for Population Stabilization, a conservative advocacy group that pushes for immigration reform. Supporters must garner more than 500,000 signatures -- five percent of the votes cast in the 2010 gubernatorial election -- for the question to appear on next year's ballot, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

The signatures must be gathered by Jan. 7, 2012. The law in question was passed earlier this month.