CALIFORNIA could go to the polls as early as 2019 if a drive for secession from the United States is effective, according to independence campaigners. Yes California says it has attracted a steady stream of supporters since Donald Trump emerged victorious over Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
However, the group claims its campaign is not a protest about the loss of one election, but about flawed electoral, fiscal and political system which has meant that votes from the state have had no effect on the outcome of a presidential election since 1876.
And the campaigners in one of America’s richest states have done their legal, economic and political homework, with a website (yescalifornia.org) and a 33-page “Calexit Blue Book” detailing its case for secession.
Louis Marinelli, president of the Yes California campaign, told The National how interest had soared in the Democratic-supporting state since Trump was elected: “We have more new registered volunteers and members and supporters then we know what to do with right now. And if these new members in supporters and volunteers help us collect the necessary number of signatures to qualify our ballot initiative then it is very realistic."
We have been asked to point out that Marinelli now has no link with the California National Parrty.
Jed Wheeler, the partry's general secretary, said: "Louis was voted out in July and officially removed from the party due to his increasingly erratic behaviour.
"His decision to move to Russia and seek sponsorship from Putin's government was the last straw. Our position is that he is not from here, doesn't live here, and has no right to speak for California."
However, that does not mean the independence movement in California is not gaining support.
For a full update on this story see The National tomorrow.
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