Author: Josh Altic
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25 states and D.C. will have increased minimum wages in 2021
In 2021, the minimum wage will increase in 25 states and Washington, D.C. The size of the increases range from $0.08 per hour (a 0.8% increase) in Minnesota to $2.25 per hour (a 31.03% increase) in Virginia, and the effective dates for the increases range from October 2020 to August 2021. Increases in 18 states…
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Ballotpedia releases year-end analysis of statewide ballot measures
On December 15, Ballotpedia released its year-end analysis of statewide ballot measures in 2020. Voters in 34 states decided 129 statewide ballot measures in 2020. Ninety-three were approved and 36 were defeated. One hundred and twenty measures were on the November 3 ballot. Nine measures were on ballots earlier in the year or on December…
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Voter turnout in 2020 increased the ballot initiative signature requirements in 10 states
Voter turnout in 2020 elections caused a change in the number of valid signatures required for initiatives and veto referendums in 10 of the 26 states with at least one form of statewide initiative or referendum. Signature requirements are determined differently depending on the state and, in 2022, will vary from 16,961 for initiated statutes…
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Louisiana voters reject amendment to allow out-of-state members on university boards
Voters in Louisiana rejected an amendment Dec. 5 that would have allowed the governor to appoint at-large members to the boards of supervisors for the public university systems from out-of-state if there are multiple at-large seats and at least one at-large seat is filled by a member residing within the state.
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Ballotpedia identifies 20 local police-related ballot measures decided Nov. 3
Following the killing of George Floyd on May 25, cities and counties introduced police-related measures. Ballotpedia tracked 20 such measures that appeared on the Nov. 3 ballot. All 20 measures were approved or were ahead pending the count of remaining ballots. Note: All vote counts were as of 6:00 p.m. EST on Nov. 11. Cities and…
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Nov. 4 ballot measure update
As of 7:30 Eastern on Nov. 4, Ballotpedia had called 93 statewide ballot measures, of which 72 were approved and 21 were defeated. The remaining 27 (out of the 120 total) remained uncalled. Here are some notable measures that we called on Wednesday: Illinois voters reject a constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income…
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California voters reject affirmative action proposition
California voters rejected Proposition 16 by a vote of 56% to 44% according to results reported on Nov. 4 at 11:00 am. Proposition 16 would have allowed the use of affirmative action involving race-based or sex-based preferences in California by repealing Proposition 209, passed in 1996, from the California Constitution. Proposition 209 stated that discrimination…
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California voters reject veto referendum to end cash bail for detained suspects awaiting trial
Voters decided that California will not become the first state to end the use of cash bail for all detained suspects awaiting trials. Proposition 25 was a veto referendum targeting the repeal of Senate Bill 10 (2019), which would have replaced cash bail with risk assessments. Voters rejected SB 10 by a vote of 55%…
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Colorado voters approve paid family and medical leave proposition
Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in a vote of 57% to 43%. The measure establishes a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado to provide 12 weeks (up to 16 weeks in certain cases) of paid leave (with a maximum benefit of $1,100 per week) funded through a payroll tax to be paid for by…
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Massachusetts voters approve wireless vehicle data access measure, reject ranked-choice voting
Massachusetts voters approved Question 1, the measure requiring wireless vehicle data access to owners and independent auto repair shops related to the state’s “right to repair law.” It was approved 75% to 25% according to unofficial election night results. Voters defeated Question 2 55% to 45% with 82 percent of precincts reporting. Question 2 would…