Author: Alexis Thacker
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Supporters of at least 10 Massachusetts ballot initiatives submitted signatures. If all qualify, 2026 could see the most ballot initiatives in state history.
In Massachusetts, the deadline to submit signatures for 2026 ballot initiatives to local registrars was Nov. 19. Campaigns for at least 10 different ballot initiatives reported filing signatures. Earlier, on Sept. 3, 44 initiatives were approved for signature gathering. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (D) noted the high number of signature submissions, saying, "There’s a unanimity…
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Marijuana and psychedelics on the ballot in 2026: One ballot measure qualified in Idaho, seven more proposed in six states
In 2026, voters in six states may decide on marijuana and psychedelic-related ballot measures. One measure has been certified to appear on the Idaho ballot next November. There are seven other potential measures in Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, and Washington. As of 2025, 40 states have medical marijuana programs, and 24 have legalized the…
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Maine rejects Question 1 by the widest margin for a voter ID proposal since at least 2004
Voters rejected Maine Question 1 on Nov. 4. As of Nov. 7, 2025, the vote margins were 35.9% 'Yes' to 64.1% 'No.' Question 1 would have made several changes, including requiring photo identification for in-person and absentee voting; requiring voters to complete an identification envelope for absentee voting; allowing a person’s absentee ballot to be…
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Virginia General Assembly considers constitutional amendment for mid-decade congressional redistricting; a special ballot measure election would be first since 1956
The Virginia General Assembly is considering a constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to conduct mid-decade congressional redistricting through 2030. For voters to weigh in on the amendment before the next U.S. House primary elections, a special election would be required. The last time Virginia held a special election for a state ballot measure,…
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Signature validity for 2025 Maine initiatives was 93.0%, surpassing the 2017-2025 state average of 88.4%
Two citizen-initiated ballot measures will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot in Maine—Question 1 and Question 2. Proponents of a ballot initiative collect petition signatures from a certain minimum number of registered voters in a state. For 2025, the average signature validity rate was 93.0%. Sponsors of Question 1 submitted 4,410 petition forms containing…
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Ballotpedia is covering 188 local ballot measures on Nov. 4, 2025
Ballotpedia is covering 188 local ballot measures on the ballot on Nov. 4. In 2025, Ballotpedia is covering local ballot measures that appear on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California and Virginia. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures…
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Maine ballot initiative campaigns raise $3.3 million ahead of Nov. 2025 election
The quarterly deadline for campaign finance reports in Maine was Oct. 6, meaning the latest filings for ballot measure committees cover contributions and expenditures through Sept. 30. Through Sept. 30, campaigns for and against the two ballot initiatives on Maine’s Nov. 4, 2025, ballot have raised a combined $3.3 million. The two ballot measures are…
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On this date 114 years ago, California became the twelfth state to adopt the initiative and referendum process
On October 10, 1911, California became the twelfth state to establish an initiative and referendum process. On that date, California voters approved two constitutional amendments related to direct democracy. The first, Proposition 7, created the initiative and referendum process. It gave Californians the power to propose constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. The measure…
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On this date in 1889, Washington voters decided which city should be the state capital
Washington state residents voted on Oct. 1, 1889, to determine the location of the state capital. No one city achieved a majority, leading to an election between the top three in 1890. The City of Olympia had acted as the capital for the Territory of Washington since 1853. With the people’s approval of the Washington…
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Denver voters will decide eight local ballot measures on Nov. 4, including a veto referendum that could ban the sale of flavored tobacco products
Voters in the city and county of Denver, Colorado, will decide on eight local ballot measures on Nov. 4, 2025. Five are bond measures, two are referred questions, and one is a citizen-initiated veto referendum. Bond Measures The bond measures were placed on the ballot by the Denver City Council. The five measures, if approved,…