Author: Ryan Byrne
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How Wisconsin’s partial veto power has evolved through 95 years of ballot measures
The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) use of a partial veto in the state’s biennial budget on April 18, 2025. His partial veto extended a two-year school funding increase into a 402-year provision. At the center of the case were constitutional provisions that had been added or amended through three ballot measures…
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Update on state ballot measures certifications — six measures certified for 2026, and Washington Legislature refers measure for Nov. 2025 ballot
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of April 15. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, seven statewide ballot measures have been certified in four states—Louisiana, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is one more than the average of six certified measures…
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Indiana joins Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming in enacting laws to restrict foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns—the highest number passed in a single year
So far, during the 2025 legislative sessions, four states—Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming—have enacted new laws restricting foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns. With these additions, 13 now have laws prohibiting foreign nationals, governments, or other entities from contributing to ballot measure committees. The 13 states with such laws are California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,…
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2025 marks record year as Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming join states with laws restricting foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns
So far, during the 2025 legislative sessions, three states—Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming—have enacted new laws restricting foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns. With these additions, 12 now have laws prohibiting foreign nationals, governments, or other entities from contributing to ballot measure committees. The 12 states with such laws are California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
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Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: Five new measures in Georgia, Indiana, Idaho, and Kansas
The number of certified ballot measures for 2025 and 2026 is trending above the average as of April 1, 2025. For 2025, six statewide ballot measures have been certified in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six is one more than the average of five for this point in an odd-numbered-year election cycle since 2010. As…
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Idaho will be first state to vote on English as official language ballot measure since 2010
The Idaho State Legislature voted on March 25, 2025, to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would make English the official language of the state. Voters will decide on the proposal at the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Idaho will be the 12th state to vote on such a ballot measure. Currently, English…
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Court strikes down Washington Initiative 2066, related to natural gas, as violating state’s single-subject rule; ruling will be appealed to state supreme court
Washington Initiative 2066, approved on Nov. 5, 2024, was struck down on March 21 as violating the state constitution’s single-subject rule. A single-subject rule is a state law that requires ballot initiatives to address a single subject, topic, or issue. Judge Sandra Widlan wrote, “… the body of the initiative is so broad and free…
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First ranked-choice voting ballot measure of 2025 to be decided in Skokie, Illinois, on April 1
Voters in Skokie, Illinois, will decide on a ballot initiative to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections on April 1. This will be the first RCV-related ballot measure decided in 2025. Since 1915, there have been more than 150 ballot measures to adopt or repeal ranked-choice voting systems. Ashtabula, Ohio, was the first jurisdiction…
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Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: Seven new measures in four states for 2026
The number of certified ballot measures for 2025 and 2026 is trending above the average as of March 18, 2025. For 2025, six statewide ballot measures have been certified in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six is one more than the average of five for this point in an odd-numbered-year election cycle since 2010. For…
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Wyoming is 10th state to enact a ban on foreign nationals contributing to ballot measure campaigns
Wyoming is the 10th state to enact restrictions on foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns. On March 6, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed House Bill 337 (HB 337), banning foreign nationals from donating directly or indirectly to ballot measure committees. The other nine states are California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota,…