Californians voted down Proposition 6, a ballot measure that eliminates the state’s constitutional provision that allows involuntary servitude for incarcerated workers. The measure would not have ended the practice of incarcerated people working for little to no pay, but it would have banned California prisons from requiring that they do so.

California lawmakers agreed to put Proposition 6 on the ballot at the urging of criminal justice advocates. Since 2018, at least a half-dozen states — including Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont — have approved similar measures.

Proposition 6 would have banned the use of involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes. It was rejected by California voters.

California voters have rejected a measure amending the state Constitution to ban forced labor in any form. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California voters have rejected a measure amending the state Constitution to ban forced labor in any form. The constitution currently bans it except as punishment for crime.

The measure would have amended the state’s constitution to repeal language that allows involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment.