Idaho initiative campaigns submit signatures for measures on abortion and medical marijuana
On May 1, supporters of two Idaho initiatives that would add a right to reproductive freedom to state law and legalize medical marijuana submitted signatures to Idaho county clerks for placement on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Idaho has a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both state legislative chambers. If these measures make the ballot, Idaho will be the sixth state with a Republican trifecta to decide on a ballot measure supporters described as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights since 2016 and the tenth state with a Republican trifecta to decide on a medical marijuana legalization measure since 2016.
Abortion measure
The first initiative would add a right to reproductive freedom and privacy to state law. The initiative defines that right as the ability to "make personal decisions about reproductive healthcare that directly impacts the person's own body."
Medical marijuana legalization
The second initiative would legalize the use of marijuana for individuals diagnosed with at least one of 16 health conditions listed in the initiative. Voters will also decide on a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment saying that only the Legislature shall have the authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances.
Three notable California initiative campaigns submit signatures ahead of June 25 verification deadline
Campaigns for three notable California citizen initiatives recently submitted signatures to the secretary of state for verification, potentially joining six other measures that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. California’s signature verification deadline for citizen initiatives trying to get on the Nov. 3 ballot is June 25.
One-Time Wealth Tax for State-Funded Healthcare, Education, and Food Assistance Programs Initiative
The measure would impose a one-time, 5% tax on individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion to fund state health care programs, such as Medi-Cal, state food assistance, and public education.
The initiative would apply retroactively to individuals residing in the state as of Jan. 1, 2026.
Expedited Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects Initiative
The measure would modify California‘s environmental review process for specified project categories, such as housing, improvements to water supply, transportation, energy, and facilities for health and public safety.
Require Healthcare Union Member Approval for Ballot Measure Campaign Spending Initiative
The California Hospital Association is sponsoring an initiative that would require healthcare labor unions to inform members annually how their dues are being spent on political activities, including money spent to support or oppose candidates, political parties, and state and local ballot measures. It would also require a majority of members to approve such expenditures.
Five candidates are running in the May 19 general election for three seats on the Georgia Supreme Court
Three seats on the Georgia Supreme Court are up for general election on May 19, including two Republican appointed and supported justices facing challenges from Democratic-backed candidates.
State supreme court elections in Georgia are nonpartisan. Incumbents Charlie Bethel, a former Republican member of the Georgia Senate, and Sarah Hawkins Warren were appointed by Republican governors and endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R). They are facing Miracle Rankin and Jen Jordan, respectively, who have support from Georgia’s Democratic Party. Jordan was the Democratic nominee for Georgia’s Attorney General in 2022. Incumbent Ben Land, appointed by a Republican governor, is running unopposed.
Republican governors have appointed all current justices — except John Ellington — to the Court. Ellington — who a Democratic governor appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals in 1999 — was initially selected to serve on the Court via a 2018 nonpartisan election. Governor Nathan Deal (R) endorsed him in that election.
If Rankin and Jordan win their respective races, that would bring the number of Democratic-affiliated justices to two. If Bethel and Warren win their respective races, the number of Republican-affiliated justices would remain at eight. In our 2020 analysis of state supreme court justices, Ellington received a confidence score of Indeterminate.