California Propositions: Research the Process

Overview citing leading cases regarding the initiative process or challenges to initiative measures:

• California Jurisprudence 3d (Initiative and Referendum) via Westlaw (also on Lexis + or in print KFC80 .C3 1972)
• Witkin, Summary of California Law (Constitutional Law > Separation of Powers > Legislative Power > Initiative and Referendum) via Westlaw (also on Lexis+ or in print KFC80 .W56 2017)

Selected, annotated bibliography (books and articles focusing on California ballot measures):
Daniel W. Martin, Henke’s California Law Guide 84-87 (9th ed. 2023) (in print KFC74 .H46 2023)

Find additional books by subject heading search on Law Library catalog or other library catalogs:

• "Referendum -- California"
  • covers referenda, initiatives and recall elections
  • also look at subheadings such as "-- History"
• "Initiative, Right of -- California"
• "Direct democracy"

Case note annotations and cases content in Citing References/Other Citing Sources

Find cases regarding the initiative process itself, including challenges to the inclusion of particular initiatives on the ballot, check annotations to the provisions creating and governing the proposition/initiative, referendum, and recall processes:

• Cal. Const. art. 2, § 8 (initiatives)
• Cal. Const. art. 2, § 9 (referenda)
• Cal. Elec. Code §§ 9000-9035 (initiatives)
• Cal. Elec. Code §§ 9040-9096 (preparation of ballot pamphlets)
• Cal. Elec. Code §§ 11,000-11,386 (recall elections)

Digest topics

In addition, digests may point to state and federal court cases challenging California ballot measures:

• West's California Digest: Westlaw > Tools > Key Number System > > Statutes > Submission to Popular Vote k1731-k1791 [Change Jurisdiction: California] (also in print KFC57 .W47)
• Digest of Official Reports (3d & 4th) > [heading Initiative and Referendum] (also in print KFC47.1 .C3)

See the "Research the Laws" tab for tips on finding cases and decisions about laws created or affected by ballot initiatives

Law Library Catalog:

Books + Articles