Author: Jackie Mitchell
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Arkansas enacts ballot title readability law, joining five other states since 2018
A new Arkansas law requires initiative ballot titles to be written at or below an eighth-grade reading level. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed House Bill 1713 (HB 1713) into law on April 14, 2025. The law is one of six enacted since 2018 that address the readability of ballot language. The House approved the…
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Arkansas voters to decide on three constitutional amendments in 2026 addressing the right to bear arms, a citizenship requirement for voting, and the creation of economic development districts
Arkansas voters will decide on three constitutional amendments on Nov. 3, 2026, referred to the ballot by the state legislature. The amendments would expand the constitutional right to bear arms, require citizenship to vote, and allow the creation of economic development districts. Right to bear arms amendment Senate Joint Resolution 11 was sponsored by Sen.…
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Washington voters to decide in November on amendment allowing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Fund to be invested in stocks and equities
Washington voters will decide on a constitutional amendment in November that would allow the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Fund, also known as the WA Cares Fund, to be invested in stocks and equities. The WA Cares Fund was established in 2019 to provide a lifetime benefit of $36,500 to eligible beneficiaries. WA Cares…
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North Dakota joins two states asking voters to increase approval requirements for ballot measures
North Dakota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would establish a 60% supermajority requirement in order for voters to approve new constitutional amendments. The supermajority requirement would apply to both constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition and amendments referred to the ballot by the state legislature. This amendment will appear on the ballot…
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Hawaii voters to decide in 2026 on amendment extending Senate review period for judicial appointments
The Hawaii State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment increasing the timeline for the state Senate to act on judicial appointments. The amendment will appear on the ballot for voter approval on Nov. 3, 2026. Currently, the state constitution requires the Senate to act on judicial appointments within 30 days. If the Senate does not reject…
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North Dakota legislature refers amendment to 2026 ballot amending term limits for state legislators approved by voters in 2022
North Dakota voters will decide in Nov. 2026 whether or not to change term limits for state legislators. Under the amendment, legislators could serve four complete four-year terms (about 16 years) in the state legislature regardless of chamber. Partial terms would not count toward the limit. It would also repeal the provision of the 2022…
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Louisiana voters reject all four constitutional amendments at the March 29 election
Louisiana voters rejected four measures on Saturday, March 29. The amendments were rejected with an average of 35% of voters in favor and 65% opposed. A two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber was required to put the amendments on the ballot. All four of the amendments were passed with all Republican legislators in favor, while…
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North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures since statehood
North Carolina’s first statewide ballot measure appeared in 1835. Since then, North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures placed on the ballot by the North Carolina State Legislature and constitutional conventions. A total of 147 measures were approved (72.8%) and 55 measures were defeated (27.2%). Constitutional amendments referred to the ballot by the…
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Georgia voters to decide 2026 constitutional amendment to increase acreage limit for conservation use property tax classification
Georgia voters will decide in 2026 on a constitutional amendment to increase the maximum acreage of agricultural and timber property that can be classified as bona fide conservation use property. Under the amendment, the maximum acreage would be increased from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. Bona fide conservation use property, under the state’s Conservation Use…
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Indiana voters to decide on amendment expanding residency options for city and town court judges in 2026
The Indiana State Legislature gave final approval to a constitutional amendment requiring city and town court judges to reside in either the county where the court is located or the bordering county closest to the court. Currently, city and town court judges must live in the city or town where the court is located. The…