Is It Sunset Time for Affirmative Action and Set-Aside Programs?

Abstract

On Nov. 5, 1996, the voters of the state of California passed Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative, an initiative to amend the state constitution to eliminate state and local government affirmative action programs in public employment, public education, and public contracting. The passage of the initiative does not affect federal programs or requirements, nor does it affect the private sector. The margin of passage was approximately 54% to 46%. The initiative will be contested in the courts and is subject to various future court rulings.