What is prop 59?

Proposition 59, also known as the "Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question," was a non-binding advisory proposition on the 2016 California statewide ballot. The proposition aimed to encourage California lawmakers and elected officials to work towards overturning the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case, which allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money in political campaigns without disclosing their sources.

If passed, Prop 59 would have advised California's congressional delegation to push for a constitutional amendment that would overturn Citizens United and related court decisions, and restore the power of Congress and the states to regulate campaign finance and limit the influence of big money in politics.

However, Prop 59 was purely advisory and did not have the force of law. It passed with a 52.2% majority vote, indicating that a majority of California voters supported overturning Citizens United and limiting the influence of big money in politics.