Author: Ryan Byrne
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States requiring legislative approval of constitutional amendments over two sessions, rather than one, have fewer amendments on average
The legislatures of 49 states are required to refer proposed constitutional amendments to the ballot for voter consideration. Most of the states (36 of 49) require legislatures to approve the amendments during one legislative session. An additional four states allow amendments to be passed during one or two successive legislative sessions, depending on how many…
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New Mexico House Republican leadership seeks veto referendum to overturn firearm background checks legislation
Voters in New Mexico haven’t decided a citizen-initiated ballot measure since 1964, and voters haven’t repealed a law at the ballot since 1930. Some House Republicans, including Minority Leader James Townsend and Minority Whip Rod Montoya, are seeking to place a veto referendum before New Mexicans in 2020. The veto referendum targets the repeal…
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California Proposition 63’s provision on large-capacity firearm magazines declared unconstitutional by federal judge
On March 29, 2019, Judge Roger Benitez of the U.S. District Court of Southern California ruled that a provision of Proposition 63 banning large-capacity firearm magazines (more than 10 rounds) was unconstitutional. He wrote, “[Proposition 63] burdens the core of the Second Amendment by criminalizing the acquisition and possession of these magazines that are commonly…
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Voters in Kansas will decide a constitutional amendment to end the practice of adjusting census data for legislative apportionment
On November 5, 2019, voters in Kansas will decide a ballot measure to end a process that requires the state to adjust its census population for state legislative redistricting. Kansas is the only state that adjusts its census population for redistricting. Before 1988, Kansas reapportioned state legislative districts based on the state government’s own…
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In 2020, New Mexico voters will decide whether to make the Public Regulation Commission appointed instead of elected
In 2020, voters in New Mexico will decide a constitutional amendment to change the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) from an elected five-member commission to an appointed three-member commission. The PRC is responsible for the regulation of public utilities, transportation companies, transmission and pipeline companies, insurance companies, and other public companies. As of 2019, the…
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Washington Senate approves bill for year-round daylight saving time ballot measure
Voters in Washington could be asked to decide a ballot measure addressing year-round daylight saving time (DST). On March 12, the state Senate voted 46-3 to pass the bill for the ballot measure. The ballot measure would provide for year-round DST if federal law is changed to allow states to adopt year-round DST. As of…
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Filing window for Texas legislators to introduce proposed 2019 constitutional amendments ended on Friday
Members of the Texas State Legislature filed 213 constitutional amendments for the 2019 regular legislative session. Legislators were allowed to file constitutional amendments through March 8, 2019. The 2019 legislative session is expected to adjourn on May 27, 2019. Amendments approved by the legislature would appear on the ballot for voter consideration on November 5,…
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Nebraska voters will decide ballot measure to prohibit slavery as criminal punishment in 2020
Voters in Nebraska will decide a ballot measure on November 3, 2020, to repeal constitutional language allowing for enslavement and servitude as punishments for crime. Like the Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Nebraska State Constitution prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crimes. Nebraska’s proposal to repeal the…
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Arizona Senate approves constitutional amendment providing for a lieutenant governor; approval in House sends it to voters in 2020
The Arizona State Senate approved a constitutional amendment on March 4, 2019, that would create the position of lieutenant governor. Arizona is one of five states that do not have a lieutenant governor. Approval in the state House would refer the constitutional amendment to the ballot for the election on November 3, 2020, for voter…
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U.S. Virgin Islands voters to decide ballot initiative to reapportion the territory’s legislature
On March 30, 2019, voters in the U.S. Virgin Islands will decide a ballot initiative to reapportion the territory’s 15-member unicameral legislature. The USVI territorial legislature is unlike state legislatures, which divide districts between areas based on population. The USVI territorial legislature divides districts based on island area with no reference to population. As…