Author: Jackie Mitchell
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Seven states are deciding on constitutional amendments to require citizenship for voting in 2024
Voters in seven states will decide on ballot measures to prohibit non-citizen voting in Nov. 2024. The ballot measures would amend the states’ constitutions to provide that only a citizen rather than every citizen may vote in a state’s elections. The seven states are North Carolina, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. In…
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Signatures submitted for three Arkansas ballot initiatives, addressing abortion, medical marijuana, and casinos
Voters in Arkansas could decide on three citizen-initiated ballot measures amending the state’s constitution in November after three campaigns submitted signatures by the July 5 deadline. The ballot initiatives address abortion, medical marijuana, and casinos. Campaigns need at least 90,704 valid signatures, as well as signatures equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in…
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Signatures submitted for Colorado initiative to prohibit hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx
In Colorado, the campaign Cats Aren’t Trophies submitted 180,000 signatures on July 3, 2024, for a ballot initiative to prohibit the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. At least 124,238 signatures must be verified. The ballot initiative would make violations a class 1 misdemeanor and those convicted of violations would be prohibited from holding…
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Signatures submitted for Washington initiative prohibiting restrictions on access to natural gas
Supporters of Washington Initiative 2066 submitted 431,063 signatures on July 3, 2024, for a ballot initiative to prohibit restrictions on natural gas access. To qualify for the ballot, 324,516 of the signatures must be valid. If validated, Initiative 2066 would be the first Initiative to the People to qualify for the Washington ballot since 2018.…
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Signatures submitted for North Dakota initiative to prohibit property taxes
In North Dakota, a campaign, End Unfair Property Tax, submitted signatures on June 28, 2024, for a ballot initiative to prohibit property taxes, except those used to pay for bond debt. Former State Rep. Rick Becker (R-7) is chairman of the campaign. End Unfair Property Tax submitted about 41,000 signatures. To qualify for the ballot,…
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North Carolina becomes seventh state to add citizenship requirement for voting amendment to Nov. ballot
Voters in North Carolina will join those in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin in deciding a ballot measure to prohibit non-citizen voting. The ballot measures would amend language to their respective state constitutions to provide that only U.S. citizens can vote in elections. All seven ballot questions were placed on the Nov.…
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Montana campaign submits signatures for initiative to provide a constitutional right to abortion
In Montana, a campaign filed around 117,000 signatures on June 21, 2024, for a ballot initiative to provide for a state constitutional right to abortion. To qualify for the ballot, 60,359 valid signatures are required. County clerks have until July 19 to verify the signatures and submit them to the secretary of state’s office. The…
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Rhode Island enacts a readability requirement, an eighth-grade reading level, for ballot measure questions
In Rhode Island, a new law requires that ballot measure questions be written in plain language and reasonably calculated to be understood by those with an eighth-grade reading level. The bill was passed unanimously by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Daniel McKee (D) on June 4, 2024. Currently, five measures have…
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Montanans for Election Reform submit signatures for a pair of initiatives establishing a top-four primary system and majority vote requirement
Montanans for Election Reform submitted signatures on June 13 for a pair of initiatives that would amend the Montana Constitution to change the state’s electoral system. Initiative CI-126 would create a top-four primary system for elections for governor, lieutenant governor, state executives, state legislators, and congressional offices. Under the system, every candidate would run in…
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North Dakota becomes the first state to set age limits for congressional representatives after voters approve Measure 1
Voters in North Dakota approved Measure 1, a ballot initiative establishing an age limit for congressional candidates, at the election on June 11. The vote was 60.88%-39.12%, and turnout was 20.11%. Specifically, Measure 1 is designed to prohibit anyone from being elected or appointed to the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives if he or…