Author: Nicole Fisher
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With new Utah legislation, a look back at four 1970s ballot measures on water fluoridation
Utah is the first state to enact a statewide prohibition on drinking water fluoridation. Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed the legislation, House Bill 81 (HB 81), on March 27, 2025. While Utah is the first state to enact a statewide ban, voters in four states—Utah, South Dakota, Oregon, and Washington—considered ballot measures related to water…
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Idaho voters to decide on amendment preempting citizen-initiated marijuana and psychedelics legalization measures in 2026
Idaho voters will decide on a constitutional amendment saying that only the state legislature can legalize or regulate marijuana. This would mean that citizens cannot initiate measures to legalize marijuana in the state. Voters will vote on the amendment at the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. The amendment, House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4),…
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South Dakota voters to decide on 60% supermajority requirement for constitutional amendments after rejecting similar requirement for tax-related measures in 2022
South Dakota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would establish a 60% supermajority requirement in order for voters to approve new constitutional amendments. This amendment will appear on the ballot on Nov. 3, 2026. When it comes to ballot measures, a supermajority requirement sets a higher approval threshold, requiring more than a simple…
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Maine voters could decide on establishing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a type of firearms regulation, in Nov. 2025
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced on March 7, 2025, that the signatures for a ballot initiative to create a process for extreme risk protection orders, a firearm regulation policy, were validated, certifying the initiative to the legislature. If the legislature does not approve the measure, it will be placed on the ballot…
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South Dakota voters to decide amendment establishing trust fund for unclaimed property in 2026
In 2026, South Dakota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to establish a trust fund for unclaimed property. On March 5, 2025, the South Dakota House of Representatives voted 69-0 to place Senate Joint Resolution 505 (SJR 505) on the ballot. Previously, the State Senate voted 35-0 to pass the amendment on Feb. 20.…
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South Dakota voters to decide on constitutional amendment to condition Medicaid expansion on continued federal funding in Nov. 2026
In South Dakota, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to condition state Medicaid expansion on federal funding remaining at or above 90%. Voters will decide on the amendment in the election on Nov. 3, 2026. If federal funding falls below 90%, the constitutional requirement for Medicaid expansion would no longer apply. Voters adopted this…
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Ohio voters have decided on 306 state ballot measures since 1910; the 307th is scheduled for May 6, 2025
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Ohio ballot measures since 1910. Between 1910 and 2024, Ohioans voted on 306 ballot measures. Voters approved 169 measures (55.2%) and rejected 137 measures (44.8%). In Ohio, measures can be placed on the ballot through the state legislature as well as through citizen initiatives. Between 1910 and 2024, the…
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Maine initiative on voter ID, absentee ballots, and dropboxes certified to legislature; will appear on the November 2025 ballot unless lawmakers enact it
In Maine, signatures for a citizen initiative to require photo voter identification, among other changes, were verified on Feb. 19, 2025. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced that the campaign submitted 86,904 valid signatures. A minimum of 67,682 valid signatures was required. The proposed initiative will now go to the state legislature for consideration.…
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Vermont towns to vote on ballot measures related to the Israel-Palestine conflict
Voters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and five Vermont towns will decide on ballot measures related to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the coming months. On May 20, Pittsburgh voters will decide on two charter amendments passed by the city council in response to a proposed citizen initiative that may also appear on the ballot. The potential citizen…
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Arizona voters have decided 476 ballot measures since 1911
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Arizona ballot measures since 1911, the year before statehood, and when voters adopted the initiative and referendum process. Between 1911 and 2024, Arizonans voted on 476 ballot measures. Two hundred and fifty-one (251) measures were approved, and 225 measures were defeated. In Arizona, measures can be placed on the…