Del Norteños (Del Nortians?) attend a “State of Jefferson” town hall meeting. 

The Board of Supervisors of our northern neighbor-county voted 3-2 last night to put an advisory measure on the June ballot asking voters if they’d like to secede from California and join the fantasy proposed State of Jefferson.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the Jefferson movement looks to form the 51st state of the union from the rural counties of southern Oregon and northern California. Advocates say they’re sick and tired of being overlooked, over-regulated and overtaxed by the remote, liberal urbanites to our south.

The L.A. Times reports that three counties — Glenn, Modoc and Siskiyou — have already signed onto the idea, which dates back some 150 years. Yuba and Tehama counties are flirting with support, too.

If Del Norte voters pass the measure, the county’s board will may choose to adopt a Declaration of Support for separation. 

Are we headed toward critical mass? Could this thing actually happen?

Probably not, no. As the L.A. Times points out, “Separation under the U.S. Constitution requires a vote of the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress.”

Also, nobody actually wants it.