California voters shoot down proposed ban on forced prison labor

California voters shut down a ballot effort that would have banned the use of forced labor as a punishment for crime in the state.

A representative for Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who supported the measure, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Democratic assembly member Lori Wilson, who helped push the ballot measure, addressed the failure in a statement.

"While it's disappointing that our measure to remove slavery from California's constitution was not approved by the voters, this setback does not end the fight," Wilson wrote in a statement. "Together, we will continue pushing forward to ensure that our state's constitution reflects the values of equality and freedom that all Californians deserve."

These measures were considered key components of some lawmakers' ambitious efforts to pass legislation aimed at atoning for what they said was a legacy of racist policies that drove disparities for Black people, from housing to education to health.

Bradford said the bills didn't move forward out of fear that Gov. Gavin Newsom would veto them.

"We're at the finish line, and we, as the Black Caucus, owe it to the descendants of chattel slavery, to Black Californians and Black Americans, to move this legislation forward," Bradford said, urging his colleagues to reconsider Saturday afternoon.