Author: Nicole Fisher
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Ohio Senate passes measure to require 60% vote requirement to approve constitutional amendments
The Ohio State Senate passed an amendment that would raise the threshold for voters to approve ballot measures that would amend the Ohio Constitution. The amendment passed the Senate by 26-7 on April 19, 2023, with all Republicans voting for the amendment and all Democrats voting against it. It needs to pass the Ohio House…
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Constitutional amendment passed in Delaware requiring state legislators to live in their districts
The Delaware General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment that would require state senators and state representatives to reside in the legislative districts that they represent for the duration of their term in office. Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-23), who sponsored the bill, said, “We expect that when we elect an official to represent us, they live…
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New Hampshire voters to decide on amendment raising retirement age for judges in 2024
In 2024, voters in New Hampshire will decide on a constitutional amendment raising the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. The amendment passed the New Hampshire State Senate by 22-1 on March 30, 2023. Previously, it passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives by a 321-7 vote on March 15. State Rep.…
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New York voters will decide debt limits for small city school districts in 2023
In New York, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to remove the debt limit on small city school districts at the election on Nov. 7, 2023. The New York Constitution places a debt limit on small city school districts, which are defined as districts located in cities with fewer than 125,000 inhabitants. The debt…
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Amendment to require direct partisan primary elections will be decided by Arizona voters in 2024
Voters in Arizona will decide on a constitutional amendment to require that direct partisan primaries be conducted in a way that allows political parties to nominate a candidate or candidates (in multi-seat districts) for the general election. The amendment wouldn’t change the current process but could preempt top-four primaries, as seen in Alaska, or other…
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New Hampshire State Senate passes amendment to keep first-in-the-nation presidential primary
The New Hampshire State Senate voted 23-0 on March 30 to approve a constitutional amendment providing that the New Hampshire primary will be the first in the presidential election. The amendment would add the following language to the New Hampshire Constitution: The secretary of state shall ensure that the presidential primary election be held seven…
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Signature submission deadline for initiatives will change in South Dakota to six months before election day
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed a bill into law that would change signature deadlines for ballot initiatives to six months before election day. This change would affect ballot initiative campaigns in South Dakota, allowing campaigns more time to collect signatures closer to the election date. The bill, Senate Bill 113 (SB 113), changed…
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Voters in El Paso, Texas, to decide on a charter amendment to require the city to consider climate change
El Paso voters will vote on a charter amendment, titled Proposition K, to declare “[reducing] the city’s contribution to climate change” and “[advancing] the cause of climate justice” of paramount importance on May 6, 2023. The charter amendment would also: require El Paso to use energy generated by renewable sources (defined as “energy generated without…
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Tempe voters to decide ballot measures for Coyotes arena and entertainment district
Voters in Tempe, Arizona, will decide on three ballot measures proposing an entertainment district on May 16, 2023. The entertainment district would house the Arizona Coyotes arena. The three proposals will appear on the ballot as Proposition 301, Proposition 302, and Proposition 303. Proposition 301 would approve the redevelopment by changing the classification of land…
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Measure related to death benefit for first responders certified for the 2024 ballot in Arizona
Arizona voters will decide on a ballot measure on Nov. 5, 2024, to establish a $20 fine on every conviction for a criminal offense. These fines would go towards paying benefits of $250,000 to the family of a first responder who is killed in the line of duty starting on June 30, 2025. The measure…