Author: Ryan Byrne
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Signatures required for ballot initiatives decreased by 7.34% on average following the 2022 election
Signatures required for ballot initiatives decreased by 7.34% on average following the 2022 election. Heading into 2023, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures will change in 20 states. There are 26 states that allow for initiatives or referendums, and in each of these states, the number of signatures required is tied to another number. The most…
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Voters addressed 132 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 8
On Nov. 8, voters in 37 states decided on 132 statewide ballot measures. As of Nov. 14, voters approved 87 (66%) and defeated 38 (29%). Seven (5%) remained uncalled; five were leaning ‘No’ and two were leaning ‘Yes.’ In 2020, 120 measures were on the ballot in November. Voters approved 88 (73%) and defeated 32…
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Ballot measure campaign contributions top $1 billion
In 2022, 140 state ballot measures were certified for the ballot, including 132 for November 8. As of November 1, Ballotpedia identified $1.03 billion in contributions to support or oppose this year’s statewide measures. In 2020, for comparison, $1.24 billion was raised through December 31, 2020, to support or oppose 129 state ballot measures. California…
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Bills introduced to change the initiative process increased in 2022, but those enacted decreased
Bills introduced to change the initiative process increased in 2022. However, fewer bills have been enacted in 2022 compared to 2021. The number of legislatively referred ballot measures related to initiatives also increased in 2022 compared to 2020. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 231 bills regarding ballot measure laws. Seventeen of these bills were passed and…
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132 statewide measures will be on Nov. 8 ballot
Voters in 37 states will decide on 132 ballot measures at the general election on November 8. As five ballot measures were decided at elections earlier this year, and three more will be decided in December, the annual total of statewide ballot measures for 2022 is 140. Across the U.S., ballot measures will address issues…
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Six abortion-related measures are on the ballot in 2022—the most on record for a single year
In 2022, there are six ballot measures addressing abortion—the most on record. Measures have been certified for the ballot in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, and Vermont. Votes on these ballot measures follow Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which held that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Voters in California,…
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Voters in St. Louis, Missouri, approve two ballot measures on Aug. 2
On August 2, voters in St. Louis, Missouri, approved two ballot measures—Proposition F and Proposition S. St. Louis Proposition F amended the city’s charter to increase the maximum fine for violations of ordinances regarding environmental conditions, such as dumping waste and debris and prohibited refuse, from $500 to $1,000. With all precincts reporting, the vote…
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Kansans reject amendment to provide that the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion
Kansans rejected an amendment to provide that the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion on August 2. With 100% of precincts reporting, the vote was 58.78% ‘No’ to 41.22% ‘Yes’. Based on unofficial results, 908,745 people voted on the constitutional amendment compared to 727,360 in the gubernatorial primaries and 718,545 in the…
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Election officials in Kansas expect higher voter turnout at Aug. 2 primary due to abortion amendment
On August 2, Kansans will vote on political parties’ nominees for federal and state offices, as well as an amendment to provide that the state constitution cannot be interpreted to create or secure a right to abortion. The ballot measure could increase turnout above that for previous midterm primaries in recent years according to Fred…
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Signature verification deadline for Missouri top-four ranked-choice voting initiative is August 9
In Missouri, there are two citizen-initiated measures pending signature verification. One would enact an electoral system combining top-four primaries and ranked-choice voting for general elections. The other proposal would legalize marijuana in the state. The state must verify whether enough signatures have been collected by August 9. The electoral system initiative would replace partisan primaries…