Lecture Notes: Proposition 187 and its Impact on California Politics

Overview

• Proposition 187, also known as the SOS (Save Our State) Initiative, was a 1994 California ballot initiative.
• It aimed to establish a state-run citizenship screening system.
• It sought to prevent undocumented immigrants (labeled as illegal aliens) from accessing non-emergency healthcare, public education, and other services.
• The California Supreme Court eventually ruled the proposition unconstitutional.

Political Context

• Proposition 187 emerged during a time of significant political and social challenges in California:
  • Simultaneously with the implementation of NAFTA and the Zapatista revolt.
  • Rising anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly targeting Mexican immigrants.
• Republican Pete Wilson publicly supported Proposition 187, leveraging anti-immigrant sentiment to boost his re-election campaign.

Impact on Republican Party

• Keith Humphries and others highlight that California's Republican Party suffered long-term damage due to its support for Proposition 187.
• The proposition contributed to a divisive racial debate, aligning the party with white supremacy and alienating minority voters.
• Although successful in the short term, this strategy ultimately weakened the Republican Party in California.

Long-term Consequences

• The anti-immigrant tone around Proposition 187 drove a surge in political activism among Latino communities:
  • Many Latinos became citizens, registered to vote, and participated in elections.
  • This increase in Latino voter participation shifted California politics.
• Proposition 187 is seen as a turning point, making California a more Democratic-leaning state compared to its previous Republican alignment.

Broader Lessons for the GOP

• The changes in California serve as a warning for the national Republican Party regarding the use of racially divisive appeals.
• Despite its short-term electoral success, such strategies risk alienating diverse and growing demographics across the U.S.
• The lecture highlights a need for the GOP to adapt to America's increasingly diverse population.

Conclusion

• Proposition 187's legacy shows how anti-immigrant policies can backfire politically.
• California's shift towards a Democratic majority was accelerated by the backlash to Proposition 187.
• The Republican Party's need to appeal to a broader demographic is emphasized to avoid long-term political decline.