2016 Election: No on Proposition 59

Let’s get this straight: this board is not opposed to the principles of Proposition 59 – an advisory measure which calls for drafting a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United case.

However, we oppose Proposition 59 because it has no business being on the this year’s already crowded ballot. It has neither a concrete goal nor an enforcement mechanism: it merely calls for the California’s elected officials to “use all of their constitutional authority”, which would presumably involve seeking a constitutional amendment that requires cooperation from at least 37 other states – an unlikely accomplishment in today’s polarized political climate.

The proposition fails to specify exactly what the amendment overturning Citizens United would look like, making it little more than a statewide opinion poll. As such, opposition to this proposition does not mean the voters view the Citizens United favorably. Rather it reflects the fact that that such a figurative measure would accomplish nothing in overturning the horrid Supreme Court ruling.

Proposition 59 has only increased voter fatigue on what has already been a dreadful campaign season, with an ugly presidential race and nearly two dozen statewide and local ballot measures. Democracy requires well-informed voters. When voters are simply too fatigued to make well-informed decisions, they affect how the government functions.

We as the board would like to see the Citizens United overturned, but not through a toothless measure like the Proposition 59. Vote no, and send a message to the legislators that referenda – especially symbolic ones – are not panacea.

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