Proposition 6, titled Remove Involuntary Servitude as Punishment for Crime Amendment, was a California ballot proposition and constitutional amendment that failed in the 2024 general election on November 5. The proposition, if passed, would have repealed the line "Involuntary servitude is prohibited except to punish crime" from the California Constitution, replacing it with language saying that involuntary servitude is prohibited absolutely.
Support Supporters argued that "Proposition 6 ends slavery in California and upholds human rights and dignity for everyone. It replaces carceral involuntary servitude with voluntary work programs, has bipartisan support, and aligns with national efforts to reform the 13th Amendment. It will prioritize rehabilitation, lower recidivism, and improve public safety, resulting in taxpayer savings."
"Yes on Prop. 6" has raised $2.07 million as of October 30, 2024.
Opposition No official argument against Proposition 6 was submitted to the California Secretary of State and no opponents were listed on the ballot. However, public polling has shown the oppose side leading.
The oppose side has not established an official campaign and raised $0 as of October 30, 2024.
Polling Date of opinion pollConducted bySample sizeIn favorAgainstUndecidedMarginMargin of ErrorOctober 7–15, 2024https://www.ppic.org/?show-pdf=true&docraptor=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ppic.org%2Fpublication%2Fppic-statewide-survey-californians-and-their-government-october-2024%2FPublic Policy Institute of California1,137LV41% 4%15% Against±3.1%August 29 – September 11, 2024Public Policy Institute of California1,071LV 46%4%3% Against±3.7%
Results The proposition failed with 6,895,604 (46.7 percent) "yes" votes and 7,882,137 (53.3%) "no" votes.
See also 13th (film) 2018 Colorado Amendment A 2024 United States ballot measures Convict leasing List of California ballot propositions Penal labor in the United States Repeal of exceptions to slavery and involuntary servitude Slavery in the United States
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