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Most Californians Not Backing #Calexit, Poll Finds

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – While some Californians upset of Donald Trump's election are desiring to secede from the United States, a KPIX 5 / SurveyUSA poll finds most people are dubious of the idea.

The poll of 800 California voters (.pdf) taken last week found only 23 percent of those surveyed backing the idea of California becoming its own country. A majority, 57 percent, are opposed, while another 20 percent are not sure about secession.

SurveyUSA found 31 percent of Democrats backed the idea of secession, but 50 percent were in opposition and 20 percent were unsure. Among Republicans, 20 percent supported secession, 64 percent were opposed and 15 percent were unsure.

Since Election Day, talk of California leaving the union has ramped up. Many people online are using the hashtag #Calexit, playing off the "Brexit" vote in the United Kingdom, to express frustrations about the incoming administration.

On Monday, the Yes California independence campaign submitted their own ballot proposal to the Attorney General for the 2018 election. If passed, the question of leaving the United States would be placed in front of voters during a special election. A similar secession campaign has also been launched in Oregon.

KPIX 5 political analyst Melissa Caen said the only way for a state to leave the union would be through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The poll has a margin of error of plus / minus 3.5 percent.

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