The California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 421 (AB 421), which addresses the veto referendum process, on Sept. 5, 2023. AB 421 would change how veto referendums appear on the ballot, among other provisions. A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. For 2024, two veto referendums have qualified for the ballot so far.
Asm. Isaac Bryan (D-55) introduced AB 421 in Feb. 2023. The Senate voted 29-9 to pass the legislation, and the Assembly voted 55-17. In the Legislature, 99% of Democrats, minus absent members, supported the bill, and 100% of Republicans opposed the bill.
When a veto referendum appears on the ballot, voters can select “Yes” or “No”. In California, a “Yes” vote has the effect of upholding a bill, and a “No” vote has the effect of repealing the bill. AB 421 would replace “Yes” and “No” with “Keep the law” and “Overturn the law,” respectively.
