On the November ballot in California, Proposition 59 asks elected officials to press for changes regarding campaign spending and contributions. An advisory measure, Prop 59 seeks an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that removed limits on campaign spending by corporations and unions. (California Secretary of State Official Voter Information Guide for General Election November 8, 2016)
While opposing the placement of Prop 59 on the ballot as a duplicate effort since the state legislature already passed a similar measure in 2014, the editorial board of the Sacramento Bee, September 5, 2016, urges voters to support it as an overwhelming vote for the proposition would help rally forces to overturn Citizens United.
Peter Ruff, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, September 16, 2016, opposes Prop 59 since the Citizens United decision protects the free speech rights of more than corporations. “Prop. 59 wouldn’t just apply to the Fortune 100; no, it would apply equally to not-for-profit social welfare groups, labor unions, churches, large grant-making foundations, media outlets and other associations recognized under current law as having rights similar or in some case identical to those we all enjoy as citizens,” writes Ruff.