Year: 2025

  • Montana is sixth state this year to adopt a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures

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    Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed House Bill 818 on May 13, making Montana the sixth state in 2025 to adopt a ban on foreign spending in ballot measure campaigns. Montana joins five other states that adopted bans this year—Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming—and ten states that passed similar laws in prior years, bringing the…

  • Tracker: Article III federal judicial nominations by president by days in office since 2001

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    There were 47 vacancies in the 890 authorized federal judicial posts as of May 16, 2025. Forty-six of those vacancies were for Article III judgeships. This report is limited to Article III courts, where appointees are confirmed to lifetime judgeships. By May 16, 2025—117 days in office—President Donald Trump (R) had nominated five judges to…

  • Florida enacts law changing initiative process requirements; legal challenge filed in federal court

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    Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 1205 on May 2, 2025. Changes included requirements for paid signature gatherers, such as registration, training, and residency requirements, voter signature requirements, limitations on ballot initiative sponsoring committees, and petition form standards. HB 1205 passed the legislature with unanimous support from Republicans and unanimous opposition from Democrats. The one…

  • Boston City Council advances RCV proposal for city elections

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    On May 14, 2025, the Boston, Massachusetts city council voted 8-4 to approve a home rule petition to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for city elections. The petition needs approval from Mayor Michelle Wu (D), who said she would sign the measure, before it goes to the state legislature for consideration. If passed by the legislature…

  • Texas legislators put citizen voting requirement on 2025 ballot after blocking it in 2023

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Texas legislators put citizen voting requirement on 2025 ballot after blocking it in 2023  On Nov. 4, Texas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would add noncitizens to the list of…

  • Missouri will become the first state where voters will decide whether to repeal an existing right-to-abortion constitutional amendment

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, May 20, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Missouri will become the first state where voters will decide whether to repeal an existing right-to-abortion constitutional amendment On Nov. 3, 2026, Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would repeal Amendment…

  • Democrats request environmental policies from asset managers

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    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: In Washington, D.C. Democrats request environmental policies from asset managers What’s the story? Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and 40 other House Democrats sent letters last week to major U.S. banks and asset managers requesting details about their current climate and ESG strategies. The lawmakers also asked whether…

  • Virginia 2025 Elections Spotlight (Part 1)

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    Episode #189 Virginia ‘25 Election Spotlight (Part 1) On this episode: Virginia may hold elections every year, but the 2025 contests are shaping up to be especially exciting. With races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, the state is once again a key barometer for national…

  • Philadelphia voters to decide on three ballot measures, Democratic district attorney primary on May 20

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    Welcome to the Monday, May 19, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Philadelphia voters to decide on three ballot measures, Democratic district attorney primary on May 20   As part of Ballotpedia’s ongoing coverage of local ballot measures, this year we are covering those in the…

  • Oregon’s role as a pioneer of direct democracy

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    Episode #188 Oregon’s role as a pioneer of direct democracy On this episode: Oregon’s long and lively ballot measure history takes center stage as we explore how the state became a pioneer in direct democracy. With more initiatives than nearly any other state, Oregon has tackled everything from salmon fishing rules and death penalty debates…