Proposition 54 was a proposition in the state of California on the October 7, 2003, special election ballot. It failed to pass with 3,144,145 (36.1%) votes in favor and 5,541,314 (63.9%) against. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative process.

Proposition 54 would have prevented the state of California from using racial classifications in most of its business. Its official title was the "Racial Privacy Initiative." Supporters of the measure said it was the first step towards a "colorblind" society, while opponents felt that it would make it more difficult for the state to provide services and identify and correct racial disparities.

This issue might normally have been more contentious had it not been overshadowed by the 2003 California recall election on the same ballot.

The question before voters was:

Should state and local governments be prohibited from classifying any person by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin? Various exemptions apply.

See also: List of California ballot propositions 2000_present

Official summary

• Amends Constitution to prohibit state and local governments from using race, ethnicity, color, or national origin to classify current or prospective students, contractors or employees in public education, contracting, or employment operations. Does not prohibit classification by sex.
• Prohibition also covers persons subject to other operations of government unless Legislature finds compelling state interest, authorizes by two_thirds of each house, and Governor approves.
• "Classifying" defined as separating, sorting, or organizing persons or personal data. Exemptions include: medical data; law enforcement descriptions; prisoner and undercover assignments; actions maintaining federal funding.

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:

• The measure would not result in a significant fiscal impact on state and local governments.

External links

• Voter Information Guide with text of Proposition 54 (http://vote2003.ss.ca.gov/propositions/2_3_prop_54.html)
• League of Women Vote's Analysis of Prop. 54 (http://www.ca.lwv.org/lwvc/edfund/elections/2003/id/prop54.html)
• Official RPI website (http://www.racialprivacy.org/)