servitude

Proposition 6 — which would ban “involuntary servitude” as punishment for a crime — lacked majority support in deep-blue California on Wednesday even as supporters promoted it as a way to end what they call modern-day slavery.

This marks the second failed attempt to ban involuntary servitude and mandatory work requirements for state prisoners.

The measure would eliminate “involuntary servitude” from the state Constitution, which currently bans slavery and involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime.

California is one of eight states that still allow involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.

This is part of a national move to ban involuntary servitude in states whose constitutions still indicate the practice is legal.