This edition of the State Ballot Measure Monthly report covers certifications and a selection of notable ballot measure news from May 17 through June 17.
Here are the highlights:
• 10 statewide measures were certified for the 2021 ballot in Louisiana, Maine, New York, and Texas.
• One measure was removed from the 2021 ballot in Colorado.
• 12 statewide measures were certified for the 2022 ballot in six states.
• Texas’ 2021 constitutional amendments are finalized. Voters will decide eight measures, including two measures proposed in response to COVID-19 and related regulations.
• One amendment in Texas would prohibit the state or any political subdivision from limiting religious services or organizations. Another would provide residents of nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, or state-supported living centers with the right to designate an essential caregiver who may not be prohibited from visiting the resident.
• An initiative was certified for the 2022 ballot in California that would legalize sports betting at American Indian gaming casinos and licensed racetracks.
• Oregon voters will decide a measure in 2022 to make affordable healthcare a constitutional right.
• Connecticut voters will decide in 2022 on a constitutional amendment to allow early voting.
• The Massachusetts Legislature referred a measure to enact an additional tax on income above $1 million to fund education and transportation. The amendment is identical to a 2018 citizen initiative that initially qualified for the ballot but was later removed by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
• A federal court judge blocked the enforcement of paid circulator registration requirements that the South Dakota Legislature passed in 2020.