Author: Victoria Antram
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Citizen-initiated ballot measures have different signature deadlines in each state; here’s what they are for 2026
Twenty-six states permit citizen-initiated ballot measures, with each state setting its own rules for signature collection and filing deadlines. In Nevada, where the citizens can collect signatures for indirect initiated state statutes that require the state legislature to first consider the proposal before it heads to voters, the deadline was Nov. 20, 2024. One indirect…
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Ballot measure update: Redistricting measure certified in California for 2025 during past two weeks; no new measures certified for 2026
The California State Legislature voted to send a redistricting amendment to the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot—bringing the total number of certified measures for 2025 to 30, which is equal to the average for odd-numbered year election cycles since 2011. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 30 statewide ballot measures have been certified in nine states—California, Colorado,…
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Proponents file recreational marijuana initiative in Nebraska for 2026 ballot—the fifth initiative attempt since 2018
An initiative to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish a “right to use all plants in the genus Cannabis” for individuals 21 years of age or older was filed on Aug. 18. This is the fifth initiative filed to effectively legalize recreational marijuana since 2018. None has ever submitted enough valid signatures to qualify for…
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Democratic and Republican trifecta states have each averaged 19 ballot initiatives since 2010
Democratic and Republican trifectas each averaged 19 ballot initiatives for even-numbered year elections between 2010 and 2024. States with divided governments averaged 15 initiatives. Twenty-six (26) states provide for a statewide ballot initiative process, where citizens place constitutional amendments, statutes, or veto referendums on the ballot. Following the 2024 elections, 22 of the 26 states…
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UBS quits NZBA
UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, announced Thursday it is leaving the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), joining several recent global departures from the coalition. UBS was a founding member of the NZBA and is the third major bank to leave in as many weeks. The departures could limit the alliance’s ability to set shared targets and monitor…
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Two ballot initiatives certified for 2025—lowest since 2019
Sponsors filed 109 ballot initiatives in three states for 2025 statewide ballots with two ultimately certified in Maine—tying 2019 with the fewest number of ballot initiatives certified since at least 2011. In 2019, sponsors filed 107 ballot initiatives, the fewest number filed between 2011 and 2025. The average number filed for odd-numbered election years was…
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Washington D.C. council amends Initiative 82 to cap tipped wage at 75% of full minimum wage by 2034
D.C. voters approved Initiative 82 in 2022, voting to gradually increase the tipped minimum wage from $5.35 in 2022 by $2 annually to match the minimum wage of non-tipped employees in 2027. It was approved by a margin of 74% to 26%. On July 28, the D.C. Council voted to amend the measure as part…
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Texas voters to decide on amendment dedicating sales tax revenue to state water fund in November
Among the 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot for Texas voters this November is an amendment to dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, which voters authorized in 2023 with the passage of Proposition 6. It was approved with 77.7% of voters supporting it. The 2025 amendment, Proposition 4, would…
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Ballot measure update: No new ballot measure certifications over the past two weeks, number certified still trending higher for 2025 and 2026
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of July 22. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 29 statewide ballot measures have been certified in eight states—Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is four more than the…
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Missouri governor signs law repealing provisions of 2024 paid sick leave and minimum wage ballot initiative
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed House Bill 567 (HB 567) on July 10, repealing provisions of Proposition A, which voters approved in 2024. HB 567 repealed the paid sick leave requirements and the provision that tied future minimum wage increases to inflation. Proposition A is an initiated state statute that was approved by nearly…