Author: Jackie Mitchell
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Campaign submits signatures for initiative to decriminalize certain psychedelic plants and fungi and create a therapy program
On June 27, 2022, the campaign Natural Medicine Colorado reported submitting 222,648 signatures for a ballot initiative to decriminalize certain psychedelic plants and fungi. The ballot initiative would appear on the ballot in November. The psychedelic plants and fungi, also known as hallucinogenic or entheogenic plants and fungi, that would be decriminalized for personal use…
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Voters in five states will decide in November on removing constitutional language permitting enslavement or servitude as criminal punishments or debt payments
In 2022, voters in five states — Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont — will decide on ballot measures to repeal language from their state constitutions that allows slavery or involuntary servitude for the punishment of a crime, or, in Vermont, for the payment of debts, damages, or fines. As of 2022, 10 states had…
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South Carolina Legislature refers two constitutional amendments to the 2022 ballot to increase General Reserve and Capital Reserve Funds
South Carolina voters will decide on two constitutional amendments in 2022. One of the amendments would increase the General Reserve Fund from 5% of state general fund revenue to 7%. The increase would be 0.5% percentage points each year until reaching 7%. The state’s General Reserve Fund can be used to cover year-end operating deficits.…
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Louisiana Legislature adjourns 2022 session; eight measures to appear on November ballot and three to appear on December ballot
The Louisiana State Legislature adjourned its 2022 legislative session on June 6, referring six constitutional amendments to this year’s ballots. These amendments join five other constitutional amendments that the Legislature referred during its 2021 session. Eight measures will appear on the November 8 ballot and three will appear on the December 10 ballot. On November…
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Louisiana voters to decide in November on constitutional amendment to remove language that allows involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime
Louisiana voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment that would remove language from the state constitution that allows involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. The amendment would also add language to say that the section of the constitution prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude “does not apply to the otherwise lawful administration of…
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Oklahoma Legislature adjourns without referring any measures to 2022 ballot
The Oklahoma State Legislature adjourned its 2022 Regular Session on May 27 without referring any measures to the 2022 ballot for voters to consider. During the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions, the Legislature considered referring constitutional amendments and state statutes to the ballot. Fifteen constitutional amendments and one state statute had passed in the chamber…
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Iowa State Legislature adjourns 2022 session; three constitutional amendments could appear on 2024 ballot
The Iowa State Legislature adjourned its 2022 legislative session at 12:16am on May 25, 2022. During the 2021-2022 legislative session, the General Assembly passed three constitutional amendments, which may appear on the 2024 ballot if they are passed a second time by the General Assembly during its 2023-2024 legislative session. One amendment would provide that…
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Louisiana legislature refers two constitutional amendments to 2022 ballot concerning property taxes
On May 24, the Louisiana State Legislature referred two constitutional amendments to the Nov. 8 general election ballot, bringing the total number of measures currently certified for the ballot to seven. One amendment would remove the requirement to annually re-certify income for homeowners that are permanently and totally disabled in order to keep their special…
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Alabama voters approve $85 million bond issue to fund public historical sites and state parks
Alabama voters approved Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment, on May 24. Amendment 1 authorized the state to issue up to $85 million in bonds for state parks. With 100% of precincts reporting, the vote was 77%-23%. Amendment 1 authorized $80 million of the bond amount for state parks managed by the Department of Conservation and…
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Alabama bond question, Atlanta and Little Rock local measures on Tuesday ballot
On May 24, Alabama voters will decide Amendment 1. The measure would amend the state constitution to issue up to $85 million in bonds for improvement, renovation, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of state parks. Of the bonds, $80 million would be used for state parks managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)…