Plan submitted to split California into 6 states - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

(RNN) - A businessman who created a proposal to break up California into separate states said he has garnered enough support to put the issue up for vote during the next statewide election.

Tim Draper, who has made billions in the technology sector, submitted 1.3 million signatures to the state capital in Sacramento on Tuesday. That's enough to put the issue on the ballot in 2016.

According to the proposal, the names of each the six states would be Jefferson, North California, Silicon Valley, Central California, West California and South California.

Each state would have its own capital, though it has not been proposed what those cities would be.

Draper is the major backer of the nonprofit group Six Californias. 

The group is pushing the idea on the basis that the state's 38 million residents do not have adequate representation and revenue is not used efficiently.

Draper has sold the idea heavily for at least a year, but it is now picking up steam with enough support to take the next step in the political process.

"You can frame your own constitution, your own system of government, your own services, your own state bird," Draper said at a news conference Tuesday. "Social media and rating systems allow us to determine how each state can best serve its people. We'll be launching sites for each state that can help you get started, then it is up to you."

Even if the measure passes, both Congress and the California Legislature have to approve it. Among the myriad national implications are more seats in Congress and the effect on future presidential elections.

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