California Democrats Revisit Anti-Slavery Ballot Measure

Contrary to popular belief, slavery was not abolished by the 13th amendment. Hundreds of thousands of people are still living in involuntary servitude due to an “exception clause” that allows free labor for punishment of a crime. The exception clause enabled the modern re-enslavement of Black people, who’ve been over-criminalized by our nation’s criminal legal system for centuries.

Last year, over 65% of incarcerated people reported being forced to work in prison, doing vital jobs like firefighting and paving roads while governments and private companies generate and save, collectively, at least one billion dollars each year from their labor. For example, in 2022, incarcerated workers made up 43% of the state’s fire fighters, but even after some were released from prison, they were barred from serving as firefighters.

In the land of the free, forced labor is never acceptable. Prison labor is inherently coercive and exploitative.

Last year, California Democratic lawmakers introduced ACA 6, a ballot measure that would have amended the state’s constitution to repeal language that allows involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment, making work assignments voluntary and allowing incarcerated people to prioritize their rehabilitation. The measure had support from labor unions and dozens of advocacy groups who viewed the efforts as part of a national movement to end a racist legacy and abolish slavery.

Caught up in a wave of "tough on crime" messaging rooted in fear-mongering and disinformation, California voters rejected the ballot measure, especially when ACA 6 was tied to Proposition 36. Ballot measures similar to ACA 6 in 15 states passed, including Utah, Nevada, Nebraska and Alabama, ending forced labor in prisons, closing legal loopholes that allow states to permit legal slavery as a punishment for crime.

The California Legislative Black Caucus is set to introduce ACA 6, a revised constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, back on voter ballots in 2026 as part of its 2025 legislative priorities.

The text of the new amendment would focus more narrowly on the word “slavery,” avoiding references to “discipline” against prisoners and to “involuntary servitude.” The new version of Prop. 6, now Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6, simply states: “Slavery in all forms is prohibited.”

Backers of the 2024 amendment believe that language left many potential Prop 6 supporters confused. Introducing the revised constitutional amendment, Democrat Lori Wilson (D-11) stated “We’re doing this again and going back because we felt like it was a moral obligation and a righteous thing to do."

“What we heard from the voters during that time was a lot of misunderstandings around the bill,” continued Wilson. “But when we educated on Prop. 6, they were all behind it. I didn’t talk to any person that wasn’t behind the bill once they knew what the bill did, but that took a lot of time.”

You can read more about the revised amendment ACA 6 in "Californians rejected an anti-slavery ballot measure. Lawmakers want to try again" at Cal Matters, a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable.