LOS ANGELES — Backers of an initiative that would require a vote every four years on whether California should become a separate nation may gather signatures today, according to Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

If the initiative becomes law, votes on nationhood would begin in November 2020. Voter approval of nationhood in any election would then require California to demand federal recognition as a separate nation and distinct society.

A refusal by the federal government to recognize California’s nationhood would require future placement on the ballot, every four years, the second question of whether California should unilaterally declare independence from the United States.

Voter approval of unilateral independence in any such election would require California to declare independence and request admission to the United Nations.

Valid signatures from 365,880 registered voters — 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2014 general election — must be submitted by March 14 to qualify the measure for the November 2016 ballot, Padilla said.

Initiative author Louis J. Marinelli is also the proponent of initiatives that would create an advisory group to explore establishing California’s autonomy from the United States; require the display of the California flag above the U.S. flag; change the governor’s title to president of California; ban out-of-state contributions to California election campaigns; and authorize the state to issue residence permits to immigrants without legal permission to live in the country.