Author: Alexis Thacker
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On this date in 1933, Oregon voters repealed a tax on the sale of oleomargarine, the fourth veto referendum to repeal margarine laws in 13 years
Ninety-two years ago, on July 21, 1933, Oregon voters decided a veto referendum against legislation proposing a tax on the sale of oleomargarine. Voters repealed the tax. The contested legislation would have created a sales tax of four cents per pound on the sale of all oleomargarine, commonly known as margarine, sold in the state of…
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Voters in San Tan Valley, Arizona, will decide whether to incorporate a new 100,000-person town on Aug. 5
Voters in San Tan Valley, Arizona, an unincorporated area of Pinal County, will decide Proposition 495, which would incorporate the town, on August 5. San Tan Valley is situated southwest of the Phoenix metropolitan area, between the towns of Queen Creek and Florence, with a population exceeding 100,000 residents. If the measure is approved, San…
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Utah voters have decided 220 ballot measures since 1895, beginning with constitution ratification ahead of statehood
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Utah ballot measures dating back to 1895, when voters approved the state constitution. Between 1895 and 2024, Utahns voted on 220 ballot measures—140 (63.6%) were approved and 80 (36.4%) were defeated. This count includes the ratification of the state constitution by voters in 1895, two months before the United States…
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After 2023 veto, Arizona legislature sends drug cartel terrorism designation law directly to voters as ballot measure
The Arizona State Legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution 2055 (HCR 2055), placing a ballot measure about drug cartels before voters in the 2026 election. If approved, the ballot measure would define drug cartels as terrorist organizations and require the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to “do everything within its authority to address the threat posed…
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Maine voters to decide two citizen-initiated ballot measures in Nov. 2025 election, including voter ID and extreme risk protection orders
The Maine State Legislature adjourned on June 25, meaning voters will decide two indirect initiated state statutes at the election on Nov. 4, 2025. Signatures were submitted for two ballot initiatives in Jan. 2025—the Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Dropbox Rules Initiative and Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and…
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Utah voters to decide public sector collective bargaining ban in first veto referendum in 18 years
In Utah, a veto referendum has qualified for the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to uphold or repeal House Bill 267 (HB 267). The bill would prohibit public sector unions from entering into collective bargaining agreements. It would take effect only if a majority of voters support upholding it in the…
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Arizona voters to decide on constitutional amendment prohibiting taxes on vehicle miles traveled and related limits in Nov. 2026
Arizona voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would prohibit taxes on miles traveled in a motor vehicle and prevent state and local governments from limiting miles traveled by any individual in a motor vehicle. The amendment will appear on the ballot on Nov. 3, 2026. A vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax, sometimes called…
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Louisiana legislature refers six constitutional amendments to 2026 ballot covering taxes, civil service, judicial retirement, and education
The Louisiana State Legislature voted to send six constitutional amendments to the 2026 ballot before adjourning on June 12. The six amendments will be decided at two different elections; five will appear on the ballot on April 18, 2026, and one on Nov. 3, 2026. The constitutional amendments cover a variety of topics, including the…
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Rhode Island Senate approves environmental rights amendment; three states have similar constitutional provisions
The Rhode Island State Senate passed a constitutional amendment to establish a right to clean air, clean water, healthy soil, a life-supporting climate, and preservation of the environment. Senate Resolution 327 (S. 327), introduced by State Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-37), passed the Senate in a vote of 32-4 on June 3. The constitutional amendment…
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Texas Legislature referred seven constitutional amendments to November 2025 ballot last week, including bail measure
The Texas State Legislature voted to send seven constitutional amendments to the Nov. 4 ballot last week (May 25 – May 31). One amendment would let judges deny bail for individuals accused of certain crimes, one would make changes to the state judiciary oversight commission and process, two would adjust the allocation of tax revenue,…