NOTE: The video in this story is from an earlier report.<\/p>\n
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE\/KGPE<\/a>) \u2013 A Fresno man\u2019s push to make California an independent country has moved another step closer to appearing on the ballot.<\/p>\n The California Secretary of State\u2019s Office announced Wednesday that the initiative can now start collecting petition signatures.<\/p>\n Sunday Morning Matters: This Fresno man is working to pull California from the United States <\/a><\/p>\n The drive to make California an independent country was spearheaded by Fresno man Marcus Evans<\/a>, who says he has been trying to get California to secede since 2012. In an interview with YourCentralValley.com earlier this year<\/a>, Evans said he wants independence for California so that it could \u201cactually be able to fix our issues.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe would be more safe. We would have less people die \u2013 less people die in wars, less people threatening us,\u201d said Evans in January.<\/p>\n The ballot initiative needs 546,651 registered voters (which represents 5% of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) to become eligible to appear on the ballot.<\/p>\n Those supporting the ballot have approximately six months (180 days) to collect the necessary signatures. The deadline for signatures to be submitted to county elections officials is April 13, 2026.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n