Proposal to divide California into 6 states could make 2016 ballot

Timothy Draper, a billionaire venture capitalist who has invested in the likes of Twitter and Skype, is pushing to have his proposal to divide California into six separate states added to the state ballot in 2016.

Reuters reported Monday that Draper’s campaign had gathered more than enough signatures to have the proposal added to the ballot. Draper’s “Six Californias” campaign announced via Twitter that it plans to submit the signatures to California’s secretary of state today.

#SixCalifornias will be submitting signatures in Sacramento tomorrow for placement on the November 2016 ballot. Stay tuned for coverage!

— Six Californias (@SixCalifornias) July 14, 2014

Spokesman Roger Salazar told Reuters that the goal is to create more “responsive local governments…that are more representative and accountable to their constituents.”

The proposal has met with objections from both sides of the aisle. Opponents are quick to point out that even if the measure is passed by California voters, it is unlikely to gain Congress’ approval, which it would need if it were ever to become law.

Editor’s note: The headline for this story has been corrected from its original version, which incorrectly added the total number of U.S. states that this proposal would result in.