SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The results from the California's 10 propositions continue to come in and recently, Proposition 6 failed. It was meant to ban forced prison labor and advocates behind the measure believe there was a specific reason it didn't pass.
Proposition 6 would have amended the California Constitution to prohibit the state from punishing inmates with involuntary work assignments for refusing to work.
Prop 6 did not have any opposition listed on voter guides. Both Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ) and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition campaigned in support of it.
"When forced labor is prioritized in the prison system, people are less likely to be able to tap into rehabilitation education," said John Vasquez with CURYJ.
One of the main motivators for these organizations was to make amends for a history of racism and discrimination against Black Californians. The proposition was included in a package of reparations proposals introduced by lawmakers.
"How can we say racism doesn't exist in our state when a form of slavery lives and breathes in our constitution, the document that is supposed to embody our principles as a state," said Esteban Nunez with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
The state of Nevada had a similar measure on its ballot this year, asking voters to amend the state constitution to remove the language authorizing the use of slavery. Voters passed it, leading advocates in California to believe it was because of how it was written on the ballot.
"I think one of the core differences between the two efforts was Nevada had slavery in their ballot title summary, and we didn't," said Nunez.
Vasquez emphasized maybe the wording on the ballot was not clear on what it would exactly do when it came to inmates working.
"It wouldn't have done away with the work programs. When work is prioritized over rehabilitation, we're doing our communities a disservice and we're making our communities less safe," said Vasquez.
Even though this attempt failed this election, both groups say they're going to do everything they can to get this measure back on the ballot, and encourage voters to pass it.
It is up to the state's attorney general's office to decide what language appears. A spokesperson with the AG's Office provided ABC10 with this statement:
"Under Elections Code Section 9050, the Attorney General’s Office is responsible for issuing official titles and summaries describing the chief purpose and points of every proposed initiative submitted in compliance with procedural requirements. We take that responsibility seriously. In crafting a title and summary, our office considers a variety of materials, including the complete text of the measure itself and any suggested title, the fiscal analysis prepared by the Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst, and public comments."
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WATCH MORE ON ABC10: 2024 Ballot Prop 6 Explained
