1.   A proposed ballot initiative in California that would ban racial preferences in employment and education enjoys widespread support.

2.   But initiative supporters, including the Senate majority leader and the speaker of the House, insist that it would simply ban preferences based on race or gender.

3.   By banning preferences, Prop.

4.   Last year, California voters approved a ballot initiative to ban preferences based on race or sex in state hiring, contracting or admission to public colleges and universities.

5.   The new version would ban only preferences in awarding contracts.

6.   The proposition, which backers call California Civil Rights Initiative, would ban preferences in state hiring and education for minorities and women.

7.   And California voters are likely to vote next year on an initiative banning racial preferences in employment and education.

8.   The Republican governor, however, refused to back off his executive order banning racial preferences in university admissions and the awarding of state contracts.