Welcome to the Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, Brew.
By: Briana Ryan
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- Missouri becomes one of seven states to have a measure on the initiative and referendum process on its Nov. 3 ballot
- Arizona’s trifecta status will be decided in the Nov. 3 elections
- Three statewide write-in candidate filing deadlines in the next two weeks
Missouri becomes one of seven states to have a measure on the initiative and referendum process on its Nov. 3 ballot
On Sept. 3, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that an initiative concerning the state's initiative process will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would establish the citizen initiative and referendum process as fundamental rights and prohibit the Missouri General Assembly from “weakening citizens’ initiative and referendum powers.”
The campaign supporting the initiative, Respect MO Voters, submitted more than 367,000 signatures on May 3. On Aug. 4, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) rejected the initiative, saying it violated the single-subject rule. Missouri is one of 17 states that require initiatives to address a single subject.
The initiative’s proponents filed a lawsuit against Hoskins. Judge Daniel Green of the Missouri 19th Judicial Circuit Court ruled in favor of Hoskins, saying the initiative comprised multiple subjects. The state supreme court unanimously reversed the circuit court, saying the initiative “complies with the single-subject requirement because all the petition provisions relate to the single overarching subject of ‘protecting Missouri citizens’ constitutionally reserved lawmaking power.”
The initiative would amend the state constitution to declare that “The rights of initiative and referendum as set forth in this Constitution are fundamental rights” and require that any laws affecting those rights are “subject to strict scrutiny and must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling governmental interest.” It would prohibit the General Assembly from
- Increasing signature thresholds
- Shortening signature-gathering periods
- Restricting subject matter, limiting judicial review of ballot language
- Creating additional requirements for petitioners
- Requiring more than a simple majority vote for approval
Such changes could still be made through a constitutional amendment, which requires voter approval.
The initiative would also prohibit the General Assembly from changing a voter-approved initiative unless each legislative chamber votes with an 80% majority to refer a proposed change to the ballot. Voters would then have to approve the change. No state requires both a supermajority vote in the state legislature and voter approval to amend a citizen-initiated statute. Missouri is one of 21 states with a process for citizen-initiated state statutes and one of 11 that currently has no limits on the state legislature’s ability to amend or repeal them.
Additionally, no state requires voter approval to change the rules covering the initiative process itself, such as signature thresholds or ballot language rules, which the Missouri initiative would require.
Voters will decide six other ballot measures on the initiative and referendum process on Nov. 3. The measures in California, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah would add requirements or restrictions to the initiative and referendum process. The measure in Montana would add the initiative and referendum power to the state constitution’s Declaration of Rights. Earlier this year, voters decided on two measures that would add requirements to the initiative process: North Dakota voters approved one, while Missouri voters rejected the other. With the Missouri initiative’s qualification, this year has the most measures related to the initiative and referendum process of any year in the 21st century.
Click here for more information on the Missouri Initiative and Referendum Powers and Legislative Change Requirements Amendment.
Arizona’s trifecta status will be decided in the Nov. 3 elections
Welcome to our next installment of our 50 States in 50 Days series, covering Arizona. To view our archive of past editions, click here.
Arizona's trifecta status will be decided in the Nov. 3 elections. Incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) is running for re-election. All 30 seats in the Arizona Senate and all 60 seats in the Arizona House of Representatives are also up for election.
Republicans have a 17-13 majority in the state Senate and a 33-27 majority in the state House. Because the governor is a Democrat, Arizona is one of 11 states with a divided government.
Democrats need to win at least three seats to gain control of the state Senate, and Republicans cannot lose more than one seat. Democrats need to win at least four seats to gain control of the state House, and Republicans cannot lose more than two seats.
Want to see what's on your ballot this November? Click here to use our Sample Ballot Lookup Tool. Now let's take a closer look at what's happening in Arizona.
Voters must register online, in person, or via mail by Oct. 5.
Early voting opens Oct. 7 and ends Oct. 30.
Polls open on Election Day at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.
Voter ID is required. Acceptable forms of ID include an Arizona driver's license or non-operating identification card, a tribal enrollment card, or another valid, government-issued photo ID. Voters may also provide two forms of non-photo ID that include their name and address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, vehicle registration, or a piece of official election mail. Click here for more information on voter ID in Arizona.
Absentee/mail-in ballots must be requested by Oct. 23 and received by Nov. 3.
Current party control
Democrats represent three congressional districts, and Republicans represent six. Both of Arizona's U.S. Senators are Democrats.
In addition to having a divided state government, Arizona is one of 21 states with a Democratic triplex. That's because the state's governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all Democrats. Republican governors appointed six judges on the Arizona Supreme Court, and a Democratic governor appointed one.
Offices on the ballot
Elections are taking place for nine seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In addition to the gubernatorial and legislative offices mentioned above, there will also be elections for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, mine inspector, superintendent of public instruction, treasurer, and two seats on the corporation commission.
One state supreme court judge and 17 Arizona intermediate appellate court judges are up for retention elections.
Arizona is also one of 32 states this year where we are providing comprehensive election coverage down to the local level.
Notable elections
Arizona's 1st Congressional District: Amish Shah (D), Jay Feely (R), and Monica Alponte (L) are running for the open district. Incumbent David Schweikert (R) did not run for re-election. KJZZ's Wayne Schutsky and Camryn Sanchez said that "Schweikert held the seat for 15 years, but Democrats have come closer and closer to flipping the seat blue in recent elections. In 2024, CD1 residents voted for Schweikert and President Trump, but also favored Democrat Ruben Gallego in the race for U.S. Senate."
Arizona Supreme Court: Justice John Lopez IV is up for retention election. Governor Doug Ducey (R) appointed Lopez in 2016. In Arizona, a justice typically receives an average of 73% of the vote to retain their seat. In a 2022 retention election, one justice retained his seat with 56% of the vote — the first time a justice had fallen below 60% in a retention election since 1990. In 2024, neither of the justices who faced retention elections received more than 60% of the vote. Ducey appointed all three justices who fell under 60%.
Statewide ballot measures
There are eight statewide measures on the ballot this year. From 1911 to 2025, Arizona voters decided on 494 ballot measures, or nine per even-numbered year. During that period, voters approved 253 measures and defeated 241. For more information about the history of Arizona's ballot measures, visit its Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
Here's a closer look at two of the measures on the ballot:
Proposition 318 is one of four measures on a statewide ballot this year to address sex-based requirements for school athletics.
Proposition 318 would prohibit all schools and athletic associations from authorizing a student, athlete, employee, or other individual from using a restroom, locker room, shower room, or other private space that is not designated for their sex, defined as the status recorded on their original birth certificate. It would also prohibit girls or females from participating on sports teams that are designated for boys or males. Currently, Arizona schools are prohibited from opening sports teams that are designated for girls or females to any students of the male sex.
Proposition 144 is one of seven measures on a statewide ballot this year to address voter ID policy and one of six measures to address citizenship voting requirements.
Proposition 144 would add language to the state constitution stating that only citizens could vote and register to vote in an Arizona election. It would also add a requirement to the state constitution that voters must show government-issued proof of identity to cast a ballot, whether voting in person or by another method. Currently, Arizona voters are required to provide proof of identity when voting, but the requirement is located in state statute, not the state constitution. Additionally, the measure would prohibit a foreign national from making contributions in an effort to influence an Arizona election and create a constitutional right to have a ballot tabulated at a voter's voting location.
Local ballot measures
We'll be adding information about local measures in Arizona as they are certified ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Join us again on Monday when we'll preview elections in Georgia, the Peach State.
Click here to see every edition of 50 States in 50 Days as we publish them, and here to use our Sample Ballot Lookup Tool.
Three statewide write-in candidate filing deadlines in the next two weeks
With Delaware holding the final 2026 statewide primary on Sept. 15, this year’s remaining candidate and voter deadlines are for the Nov. 3 general election. Three states have statewide write-in candidate filing deadlines in the next two weeks.
The map and bulleted list below show which states have candidate filing deadlines scheduled between Sept. 12 and Sept. 25.
- Tennessee: Sept. 14 (statewide write-in candidate filing deadline)
- West Virginia: Sept. 15 (statewide write-in candidate filing deadline)
- Delaware: Sept. 21 (statewide write-in candidate filing deadline)
Voting in upcoming elections
There is one statewide election taking place in the next two weeks:
- Delaware: Sept. 15 statewide primary election
Five states have early voting periods that start in the next two weeks:
- Minnesota: Early voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election.
- South Dakota: Early voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election.
- Virginia: Early voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election.
- Vermont: Early voting begins Sept. 19 for the Nov. 3 general election.
- Illinois: Early voting begins Sept. 24 for the Nov. 3 general election.
Click here to see our list of upcoming election dates and filing deadlines.