Author: Nicole Fisher
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Alaska’s ballot measure history: 220 statewide measures decided by voters
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Alaska ballot measures since 1956—the year voters ratified the state constitution and three years before Alaska gained statehood. Since 1956, voters have decided 220 ballot measures. Of those, 158 (72%) were approved and 62 (28%) were defeated. In Alaska, most measures are placed on the ballot either through…
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State lawmakers enacted 72 bills on ballot measures and direct democracy in 2025, the highest total since at least 2017
States have enacted 72 bills and resolutions concerning the three powers of direct democracy in the U.S.—the ballot initiative, referendum, and recall election—in 2025 through Aug. 8. The average number of bills and resolutions enacted per year from 2018 to 2024 was 35. While most bills are adopted during the first half of the year…
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Ohio voters could decide same-sex marriage amendments in 2026
Two citizen initiatives in Ohio, which would amend the state constitution regarding same-sex marriage, were certified to circulate for signature-gathering in the state. If enough signatures are submitted, these amendments will be decided by voters in 2026. One initiative would repeal language in the Ohio Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman,…
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New York City voters to decide five measures related to even-year city elections and housing in November
New York City voters will decide five charter amendments in November 2025—four related to housing and infrastructure, and one to move city elections from odd to even-numbered years. However, that last change would also require a state constitutional amendment. On July 21, the New York City Charter Revision Commission, a temporary 13-member commission formed by…
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Federal appeals court blocks enforcement of Maine’s Question 2, which barred election spending by corporations that are at least 5% foreign‑owned
In Maine, a federal appellate court upheld a district court’s injunction blocking enforcement of Question 2, which prohibited foreign governments and certain entities from contributing to ballot measure elections. Voters passed Question 2 in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Question 2 would be unconstitutional…
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Missouri voters have decided 420 statewide ballot measures since 1908
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Missouri ballot measures since 1908. Between 1908 and 2024, Missouri voters decided 420 ballot measures. Of these, 195 (46.4%) were approved, and 225 (53.6%) were defeated. In Missouri, measures can be placed on the ballot through the state legislature, as well as through the citizen-initiated process. The citizen…
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Missouri becomes ninth state to ban foreign funding in ballot measure campaigns in 2025 as federal court upholds Kansas ban
Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed legislation that would prohibit foreign funding of ballot measure campaigns on July 9, 2025. This makes Missouri the 19th state to prohibit foreign nationals or governments from contributing to ballot measure committees. Senate Bill 152 (SB 152) takes effect on Aug. 28, 2025. The legislation prohibits ballot measure committees from…
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Louisiana is the eighth state in 2025 to pass a bill prohibiting foreign national contributions to ballot measure campaigns
Louisiana is the 18th state to pass a law prohibiting foreign spending in ballot measure campaigns and the eighth state to do so in 2025, a record for the most states enacting such laws in a single year. Louisiana House Bill 693 (HB 693) modified existing campaign finance rules, including establishing new rules for political…
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Arizona 2026 ballot measure would require voter approval to raise local grocery sales taxes, cap them at 2%
Arizona voters will decide on a measure that would prohibit local governments from establishing or raising a sales tax on groceries without voter approval, and would limit the rate to 2%. Voters will decide the measure on Nov. 3, 2026. The measure was introduced in the Arizona House of Representatives on Jan. 27 as House…
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Louisiana voters to decide on raising judicial retirement age from 70 to 75 in April 2026
Louisiana voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would increase the judicial retirement age from 70 to 75. It will appear on the ballot on April 18, 2026. Currently, 31 states and the District of Columbia have mandatory retirement ages for judges. These laws require judges to retire either upon reaching a specified age…