California voters have turned down a proposal to modify the state Constitution to prohibit all forms of forced labor. The existing Constitution allows for such labor in the context of punishment for criminal offenses.

This exception has drawn criticism from advocates of criminal justice reform, who have raised concerns regarding the working conditions of prisoners. Incarcerated individuals often receive minimal compensation, reportedly less than $1 per hour, for labor-intensive jobs such as fighting fires, cleaning prison facilities, and providing landscaping services at cemeteries.

The initiative aimed to be a part of a broader package of reparative proposals presented by legislators in an attempt to address and provide compensation for the long-standing issues of racism and discrimination faced by Black residents in California.

In recent years, various states, including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont, have enacted constitutional amendments that eliminate exceptions for slavery and involuntary servitude, reflecting a growing movement towards reforming forced labor laws nationwide.