Use of Eminent Domain Will Be on June 6 Ballot
Orange County voters will decide June 6 whether to prohibit the county from using eminent domain to acquire land for private commercial development, the Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday.
The action came in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June asserting the right of governments to appropriate private property, compensate the owner and use the land for private purposes.
That decision set off a backlash in many cities and states, including California, where legislators hope to pass a law limiting the use of eminent domain.
“This will reassure the public about our practices,” said Supervisor Chris Norby, who pushed for the ballot measure.
Orange County has used eminent domain rarely, and only for public projects.
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