The Petition
Download the Petition in PDF format here (1 page)
It’s Simple. Print the petition on a laser printer or a high quality ink jet printer. Then, read the instructions on the form, fill everything out and mail it in. (Sorry, there’s no web petition, and you can’t fax or send the form by email. We need the signatures on paper forms.)
Learn More. For the basics on how to gather signatures, download our training manual (4 pages). Or, watch our short training videos. You can also register on this site to join/create teams. And, to find out more, read our FAQ.
Printing Tips
1. To maximize the size of the form, when you print the petition, in the print menu, under “Page Scaling” make sure “None“ is selected (instead of “Shrink to Fit” or “Shrink to Printable Area”). For more about this, see Printing Guide, below.
2. Once the petition is printed, make sure it printed out cleanly and be sure to measure the margin along the TOP of the page to make sure it’s at least one inch wide. For more information about the legal requirements for petition forms, check out our FAQ
Having Trouble? If you’re having trouble downloading the petition, or if the petition is printing out blurry or off the edge of the page, see our Printing Guide, below.
Printing Guide
To print the petition, you need Adobe Reader installed on your computer. If you don’t already have it you can download it here for free.
Maximize the Size of the Form. For best results, you can maximize the size of the form with just one click. Just after you press the printer icon in Acrobat, a print menu comes on the screen. On the left side, under “Page Scaling” make sure “None“ is selected (instead of “Shrink to Fit” or “Shrink to Printable Area”). Then press “OK” and print!
Problems Printing on a Mac? If you are printing the petition using an older Macintosh computer (equipped with a PowerPC G4 or older processor), and the bottom of the form is being cut off, please print the petition using Apple's Preview application, which comes with Macintosh OS X. Or, use another computer.
Petition Blurry? If the form is not printing out cleanly, ensure that the printer's resolution is set to a high-quality setting (e.g., 600 dpi or 1200 dpi). If you are still having problems, try using another printer.
About the Petition
The petition is being circulated to repeal Proposition 8, which was passed by the voters In November 2008. Prop 8 amended the California Constitution to take the right to marry away from same-sex couples. In order to repeal Prop 8 and restore equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, we need to pass a new initiative. To get this new initiative on the ballot, we must circulate a petition and gather 1 million signatures by April 5, 2010.
Full Text of the Petition
The actual language of the initiative, along with the Attorney General’s title and summary, are below. All of this language is on the downloadable form.
REINSTATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Repeals the current provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Provides that marriage is between only two persons and shall not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. Clarifies that the initiative shall not be interpreted to require any priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, or other person to perform a marriage in violation of his or her religious beliefs. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Over the long run, this measure would likely have little fiscal impact on state and local governments. (09-0042.)
To the Honorable Secretary of State of California:
We, the undersigned, registered, qualified voters of California, residents of __________ County (or City and County), hereby propose amendments to the Constitution of California and petition the Secretary of State to submit the same to the voters of California for their adoption or rejection at the next succeeding general election or at any special statewide election held prior to that general election or otherwise provided by law. The proposed constitutional amendments read as follows: This amendment would amend an existing section of the California Constitution. Existing language proposed to be deleted is printed in strikeout type. Language proposed to be added is printed in underlined type.
Section 1. To protect religious freedom, no court shall interpret this measure to require any priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, or other person authorized to perform marriages by any religious denomination, church, or other non-profit religious institution to perform any marriage in violation of his or her religious beliefs. The refusal to perform a marriage under this provision shall not be the basis for lawsuit or liability, and shall not affect the tax-exempt status of any religious denomination, church or other religious institution.
Section 2. To provide for fairness in the government’s issuance of marriage licenses, Section 7.5 of Article I of the California Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Marriage is between only two persons and shall not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.