Supreme Court of California
Californians for an Open Primary v. McPherson, S126780
The separate-vote provision of the California constitution is a limitation upon legislative power to submit constitutional amendments to the voters. Construing the provision consistently with the single subject provision, the legislature's proposed submission, in a single constitutional amendment, of two changes to the state constitution that were not germane to a common theme, purpose, or subject, violated the constitutional separate-vote requirement. However, bifurcation is not a remedy for violation of the separate-vote provision.
Appellate Information
- Decided 05/25/2006
- Published 05/25/2006
Judges
- GEORGE, C.J.
Court
- Supreme Court of California
Counsel
- For Appellant:
- Strumwasser & Woocher, Fredric D. Woocher, Michael J. Strumwasser, Santa Monica, and Aimee E. Dudovitz, for Petitioners., Diane F. Boyer-Vine, Jeffrey A. DeLand, Marian M. Johnston, Sacramento, Dulcinea A. Grantham; Remcho, Johansen & Purcell, Kathleen J. Purcell, Robin B. Johansen, San Leandro, Thomas A. Willis, Margaret R. Prinzing and Karen Getman, for Real Party in Interest.
- For Appellees:
- Bill Lockyer, Attorney General, Louis R. Mauro, Assistant Attorney General, Catherine M. Van Aken and Geoffrey L. Graybill, Deputy Attorneys General, for Respondent.