What Is Proposition 59? Voter Guide for 2016 California Measures

LOS ANGELES, CA — If it passes, Proposition 59 would ask California's elected officials to use their authority to seek a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which held that certain laws limiting political spending by corporations and unions were unconstitutional.

The measure has the support of the Democratic and Green parties, and Bernie Sanders. Supporters argue that it ensures that corporations and billionaires can't use their money to overpower the voices of voters. Overturning Citizens United would limit excessive election spending, they contend.

Its opponents include dozens of Republican legislators in the California Senate and Assembly as well as Rep. U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock. They argue the measure is ineffective and would hurt small businesses and those that are incorporated as corporations.

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According to the ballot summary, Proposition 58:

• Asks whether California’s elected officials should use their authority to propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
• Citizens United ruled that laws placing certain limits on political spending by corporations and unions are unconstitutional.
• States that the proposed amendment should clarify that corporations should not have the same constitutional rights as human beings.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8

Your polling place is listed on the back of the sample ballot you receive in the mail. It can also be found by visiting www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place or by calling (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

For more on all of California's measures, see below:

• What Is Proposition 51?
• What Is Proposition 52?
• What Is Proposition 53?
• What Is Proposition 54?
• What Is Proposition 55?
• What Is Proposition 56?
• What Is Proposition 57?
• What Is Proposition 58?
• What Is Proposition 59?
• What Is Proposition 60?
• What Is Proposition 61?
• What Is Proposition 62?
• What Is Proposition 63?
• What Is Proposition 64?
• What Is Proposition 65?
• What Is Proposition 66?
• What Is Proposition 67?

Patch file photo

City News Service contributed to this report.