Proposal to Split California Into Six States Clears Major Hurdle — Here Are the Proposed New States

A seemingly long-shot proposal to split California into six smaller U.S. states cleared a major hurdle this week, with the golden state's secretary of state's office saying that proponents "may begin collecting petition signatures."

The initiative is sponsored by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, according to the AFP, and contends that "political representation of California's diverse population and economies has rendered the state nearly ungovernable."

A proposal to split California into six smaller states just cleared a major hurdle. (Image source: Shutterstock)

The proposal aims to divide California into "six smaller state governments, while preserving the historical boundaries of the various counties, cities and towns," the AFP reported.

[sharequote align="center"]"...six smaller state governments, while preserving the historical boundaries..."[/sharequote]

States would reportedly include Silicon Valley, South California, West California, Central California, North California and Jefferson, if the proposal is ultimately approved.

The Tuesday move by the secretary of state's office allows the movement to begin collecting the needed 807,615 signatures necessary for the initiative to arrive on the ballot.

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter