Voters have rejected a measure that would have overturned California’s 24-year-old ban on affirmative action in the state. The measure as of Wednesday morning was failing 56-44%.
Proposition 16 would have rescinded Proposition 209, which outlawed the use of affirmative action in hiring, awarding of contracts and granting admission to state colleges and universities. That measure passed in 1996.
Advocates of affirmative action have been working to modify or overturn Proposition 209 ever since, and thought the current national discussion over race and social justice could help their cause. Proposition 16 drew high-profile supporters, including California Sen. Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom. It also raised a substantial war chest of more than $26 million.
But polls showed the measure struggling with voters. Several pre-election suveys showed it was supported by barely one-third of voters.
California is one of just eight states that currently ban affirmative action.
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