AB 644 would put measure calling for overturning Citizens United on the 2014 ballot

Sacramento – California State Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) has introduced legislation to give California voters an opportunity to instruct Congress to write a Constitutional amendment overturning the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling and allowing limits on political contributions and spending.

“Last year, we were able to express the California Legislature’s support for a constitutional amendment through Assembly Joint Resolution 22,” Wieckowski said.  “Now it’s time to let all Californians have their voices heard.  This is an issue people feel passionately about because they know the campaign finance system is skewed against the interests of the working poor and middle class.”

AB 644, sponsored by Common Cause, calls for a November 2014 ballot measure that asks if California’s congressional members should propose and support , and the California Legislature ratify, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that reverses the court’s 2010 Citizens United decision.

“Giving every Californian a chance to declare that money isn’t free speech is exactly the sort of high-profile step that is required if we are serious about reversing the Supreme Court,” said Derek Cressman, director of Common Cause’s campaign to reverse Citizens United.  “Voter instruction measures such as this have spurred previous constitutional amendments.”

In November 2012, similar grassroots ballot measures were approved by voters in the states of Montana and Colorado and in the cities of San Francisco and Richmond.  Last month, the City of Los Angeles also approved a voter instruction measure that will appear on the city’s election ballot in May 2013.

Wieckowski said more than 50,000 signatures were collected in support of last year’s resolution approved by the Legislature in July.

Contact: Jeff Barbosa, 916-319-2025