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Updated: Nov. 12, 5:50 PM ET

National Election Results: presidential

republicans icon Projection: Trump is President-elect
226
312
226
312
Harris
71,861,691
270 to win
Trump
75,043,691
Expected vote reporting: 95%

California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form

California voters have rejected a measure amending the state Constitution to ban forced labor in any form

ByThe Associated Press
November 10, 2024, 9:19 PM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California voters have rejected a measure amending the state Constitution to ban forced labor in any form. The constitution currently bans it except as punishment for crime.

That exemption became a target of criminal justice advocates who are concerned about prison labor conditions. People who are incarcerated are often paid less than $1 an hour to fight fires, clean cells and do landscaping work at cemeteries.

The initiative was included in a package of reparations proposals introduced by lawmakers as part of an effort to atone and offer redress for a history of racism and discrimination against Black Californians.

Several other states, including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont, have in recent years approved constitutional amendments removing slavery and involuntary servitude exceptions.