(KGTV/AP) - A proposal to divide California into three separate states was blocked by the state’s Supreme Court and will not appear on the November statewide ballot.
The Associated Press reported the state’s high court blocked the California Secretary of State from placing the initiative before voters because of significant questions regarding its validity.
The court will now consider the merits of a challenge brought by the Planning and Conservation League. The environmental group argues that dividing the nation's most populous state in three would drastically change California's government structure beyond what can be accomplished through a ballot initiative.
RELATED: Proposal to split California into three states makes November ballot
In May, the CAL 3 proposal garnered 600,000 signatures that were delivered to the California Secretary of State. The proposal only needed 350,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
CAL 3, which is backed and funded by venture capitalist Tim Draper, calls for the Golden State to be split into Northern California, California and Southern California.
RELATED: The 3 Californias initiative
The AP reported the initiative could appear in the future if the court ultimately rules in its favor.
