This November, California voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on ten ballot propositions, ranging from Proposition 2 to Proposition 36, according to NBC 4 News. The process by which these propositions make it onto the ballot and receive their respective numbers is guided by specific regulations.
There are two primary methods for a proposition to be included on the ballot. The first is when the California legislature submits a proposed law to voters. The second method allows anyone to initiate a proposal through a petition, but it requires gathering a staggering 546,651 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. If the proposal is a constitutional amendment, the requirement increases to 874,641 signatures.
When it comes to the numbering of these propositions, they start at one and increment annually over a ten-year cycle, after which the numbering resets to one.
The assigned numbers for specific propositions depend on the timing of their qualification for the ballot, and they might appear in order of qualification. However, the sequence can vary based on the content of the proposal itself. Generally, bond measures are listed first, followed by constitutional amendments, then initiative measures, and lastly, referenda.
Interestingly, the California State Legislature has the option to forgo this order, which explains why there are gaps in numbering between propositions like Proposition 6 and Proposition 32, as noted by the California Secretary of State’s office.
