Author: Jackie Mitchell
-
Voters approved 62 constitutional amendments in 29 states in 2020
Every state but Delaware requires voters to ratify proposed changes to a state’s constitution. There are four ways that proposed constitutional amendments can be proposed and put on the ballot: Through legislatively referred constitutional amendments. Through citizen-initiated constitutional amendments put on the ballot through signature petition drives. Eighteen states allow this method of amendment. Through…
-
Signature deadline for 2021 Initiatives to the Legislature in Washington is Dec. 31
The signature deadline for 2021 Washington Initiatives to the Legislature (ITL) is December 31, 2020. Initiative to the Legislature is the name of indirect initiated state statutes in the state of Washington. For an ITL to be taken up by the Washington State Legislature and potentially put on the ballot in 2021, proponents must submit…
-
Voters in four states decided five measures concerning direct democracy Nov. 3
Voters in Florida and North Dakota rejected measures that would have required approval at two consecutive elections for constitutional amendments to be ratified. Florida Amendment 4 was designed to require constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at two successive general elections to become effective. Going into the election, in Florida, if voters approve an…
-
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois decide ballot measures regarding state income taxes
Voters in 12 states voted on 19 ballot measures addressing tax-related policies on Nov. 3. Ten of the measures addressed taxes on properties, three were related to income tax rates, two addressed tobacco taxes, one addressed business-related taxes, one addressed sales tax rates, one addressed fees and surcharges, and one was related to tax-increment financing…
-
Wyoming amendment concerning municipal debt for sewage systems fails
The Wyoming State Legislature referred Constitutional Amendment A to the November 2020 ballot. The measure was designed to remove the constitutional limit on debt a municipality could incur for municipal sewer projects. Going into the election, the limit on total debt for municipal projects was 4% of the assessed value of the taxable property within…
-
33 committees supporting and opposing Colorado’s 11 November ballot measures raised over $59 million, spent over $57 million
Thirty-three committees registered to support and oppose the eleven measures that appeared on the Nov. 3 ballot in Colorado. The 33 committees raised $59,164,321.52 and spent $57,392,791.82 according to reports due on November 2 that covered election information through October 28. The next regular reports are due on December 3. Eight of these 11 measures…
-
Oklahoma voters defeat both statewide ballot measures on the November ballot
Oklahoma voters defeated State Question 805 by a vote of 61% to 39%, thereby maintaining current law that a person convicted of a non-violent felony can receive longer sentences based on past felony convictions. Voters also defeated State Question 814, by a vote of 59% to 41%. If passed, 814 would have decreased the Tobacco…
-
33 committees supporting and opposing Colorado’s 11 November ballot measures have raised over $48 million, spent over $45 million
Eleven statewide ballot measures are certified to appear on the November 3 ballot in Colorado. Ballotpedia identified 33 committees supporting and opposing the 11 measures. The 33 committees had raised $48,172,175.15 and had spent $45,061,423.96 according to reports due on October 19 that covered information through October 14 as well as major contributor reports available…
-
30 committees supporting and opposing Colorado’s November ballot measures have raised over $39 million, spent over $32 million
Eleven statewide ballot measures are certified to appear on the November 3 ballot in Colorado. Ballotpedia identified 30 committees supporting and opposing 10 of the measures. The 30 committees had raised $39,321,079.49 and had spent $32,226,098.34 according to reports due on October 5 that covered information through September 30. The next reports are due on…
-
What statewide ballot measures will Florida voters decide on November 3?
The Florida ballot will feature six ballot measures in November. Four of them were put on the ballot through signature petition drives, and two were referred to the ballot by the state legislature. The citizen initiatives cover topics including elections, voting, and minimum wage. Amendment 1, sponsored by Florida Citizen Voters, would amend Florida Constitution…