Author: Josh Altic
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) rules ballot measure distribution requirement unconstitutional
On Wednesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) released an opinion stating that a distribution requirement and some other provisions restricting the state’s initiative process passed in 2018 were unconstitutional. Nessel’s opinion is binding for state officials unless a court ruling overturns it. The opinion was requested by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson…
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Voters in Philadelphia approve four charter amendments
On May 21, 2019, voters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, voted in the city’s primary election for mayor, city council, and other city offices. Voters also approved four amendments to the city’s charter according to election night results with 94% of precincts reporting. The four amendments were all referred to the ballot by the city council. …
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Alabama voters will decide changes to the state judiciary in March 2020
Alabama voters will decide the fate of a constitutional amendment about the state judiciary during the March 2020 presidential primary. On May 14, 2019, the state House gave final approval to a constitutional amendment to revise the article concerning the state judiciary. The vote referred the amendment—Senate Bill 216—to the March 2020 ballot. The…
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Wisconsin’s election on April 7, 2020, will feature Marsy’s Law crime victims constitutional amendment
On April 7, 2020, voters in Wisconsin will vote on Marsy’s Law—a type of constitutional amendment addressing the rights of crime victims. The Wisconsin State Legislature referred the constitutional amendment to the ballot on May 15, 2019. Voters in 12 other states have approved Marsy’s Law measures. Marsy’s Law has never been defeated at the…
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Official results confirm that Denver is the first U.S. city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms
Denver elections officials certified final official results for the May 7 election on Thursday. Initiative 301 passed 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent—a margin of 2,291 votes out of the 177,903 votes cast. The citizen initiative, which became effective on May 16th when results were certified, makes the adult possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms…
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South Dakota’s 2018 initiative banning out-of-state ballot measure campaign contributions ruled unconstitutional
On April 9, 2019, Judge Charles Kornmann overturned South Dakota Initiated Measure 24, which banned contributions to ballot measure campaigns from outside of the state. Initiated Measure 24 was approved by South Dakota voters in 2018 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent. Kornmann’s ruling blocks the state from enforcing the initiative, which was set to…
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Unofficial results indicate Denver has become first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms
Denver appears to have become the first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Although early reporting showed Denver Initiative 301 behind by several points, the final unofficial report on Wednesday revealed the measure has a lead of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent, which is a margin of 1,979 votes out of a total of 176,661.…
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Denver voters reject Initiative 300, the “right to survive” initiative
According to preliminary vote counts, voters in Denver were rejecting a citizen initiative to allow resting, sheltering oneself, eating or exchanging food, and occupying one’s own car in outdoor public places without limits or penalties enforced by the city or county, law enforcement, or any other entity. The initiative was failing by 84 percent to…
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Voters in Columbus, Ohio, approve $1.03 billion in bond issues
On Tuesday, Columbus voters approved a total of five bond issues ranging from $50 million for neighborhood development projects to $425 million for public service, including roads, trash, equipment, real estate, and landscaping. In total, voters approved $1.03 billion in new bond debt. The bond issues will require an estimated 5.04 mills ($5.04 per $1,000…
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Ballot measure law update: legislators in six states approve 16 proposals changing laws governing ballot measures out of 209 tracked
As of April 25, 2019, Ballotpedia tracked 209 legislative proposals concerning ballot initiatives, veto referendums, referrals, local ballot measures, and recall in 31 states. Sixteen proposals had been approved in Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah. Four of them were constitutional amendments requiring voter ratification in 2020. Two bills were approved by the…