Author: Ryan Byrne
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Veto referendum to reinstate religious and philosophical vaccination exemptions approved for signature drive in Maine
In Maine, a veto referendum was launched to overturn Legislative Document 798 (2019). LD 798 eliminates religious and philosophical, but not medical, exemptions from vaccination requirements for students to attend schools and colleges and employees of healthcare facilities. The organization Mainers for Health and Parental Rights is leading the campaign sponsoring the veto referendum effort.…
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California to require background checks for ammunition purchases beginning July 1
Beginning on July 1, 2019, California will become the first state to require point-of-sale background checks to purchase firearm ammunition. Proposition 63, which voters approved in 2016, in conjunction with other legislation created the requirement and set the enactment date. Proposition 63 was a ballot initiative designed to ban large-capacity magazines, require background checks for…
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Voters in New Jersey will decide ballot measure to expand veterans’ property tax deduction to those living in retirement centers
At the election on November 5, 2019, voters in New Jersey will decide a constitutional amendment to expand the state’s veterans’ property tax deduction to eligible veterans living in continuing care retirement centers. In New Jersey, veterans who were honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty are eligible to receive a…
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Maine to vote on a ballot measure to allow persons with physical disabilities to sign initiative petitions using an alternative signature
In November, voters in Maine will decide a constitutional amendment to authorize legislation allowing persons with physical disabilities that prevent them from signing their own names to use an alternative signature to sign petitions for citizen-initiated ballot measures. It’s the first ballot measure certified for the election on November 5, 2019, in Maine. The…
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Voters in Pennsylvania to decide Marsy’s Law, a type of constitutional bill of rights for crime victims, in November 2019
Voters in Pennsylvania will decide Marsy’s Law, a type of constitutional bill of rights for crime victims, on November 5, 2019. The constitutional amendment was referred to the ballot on June 19, 2019, after a two-session legislative process. The ballot measure would provide crime victims with specific constitutional rights, including a right to be…
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Kentucky Supreme Court rules that the state’s Marsy’s Law (2018) constitutional amendment is invalid
On June 12, 2019, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that the description presented to voters for Marsy’s Law, which was on the ballot in 2018, violated the state constitution. Legislators wrote the description, which said: “Are you in favor of providing constitutional rights to victims of crime, including the right to be treated fairly, with…
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Oregon joins the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, bringing total jurisdictions to 16
On June 12, 2019, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed legislation to join the state in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). Oregon is the 16th jurisdiction to join NPVIC, as well as the fourth state in 2019. The NPVIC is an interstate compact to award member states’ presidential electors to the winner of…
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In 2020, Louisiana will vote on ballot measure declaring no state constitutional right to abortion
On June 5, 2019, the Louisiana State Legislature passed a constitutional amendment stating that “nothing in this [Louisiana Constitution] shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” Voters will decide whether to approve or reject the constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020. The constitutional amendment…
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In 2020, Nevada voters will decide a ballot measure to create a declaration of voters’ rights in the state constitution
On November 3, 2020, voters in Nevada will decide on a ballot measure to create a declaration of voters’ rights in the Nevada Constitution. The ballot measure is similar to a declaration passed as statute in 2003. The ballot measure would provide voters with a constitutional right to receive and cast a ballot that…
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Illinois State Legislature refers 2020 ballot measure to allow for a graduated state income tax
Since 1970, the Illinois Constitution has required the state personal income tax to be a flat rate. The Illinois State Legislature, with the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), passed legislation on May 27, 2019, to ask voters to repeal the requirement and instead allow for a graduated income tax by constitutional amendment. Voters…