Author: Victoria Antram
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Kansas voters to decide on amendment for direct election of state Supreme Court justices in August 2026
The Kansas State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to voters that would provide for direct election of state Supreme Court justices and abolish the existing Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission. The amendment states that the seven justices would be elected at staggered general elections with positions 1, 2, and 3 elected in November…
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New Mexico voters will decide whether to eliminate gubernatorial pocket veto power in 2026
New Mexico voters will decide in 2026 whether to amend the state constitution so that bills automatically become law if the governor does not sign or veto them within the required timeframe. Currently, the governor has the power to pocket veto legislation, which means that any bill not signed within the required timeframe is effectively…
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South Dakota voters to decide on citizenship voting requirement amendment in 2026 after eight states approved similar measures in 2024
The South Dakota State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to the 2026 ballot that would provide that noncitizens of the United States are disqualified from voting in any election in the state. This will be the 15th statewide ballot measure related to citizenship voting requirements since 2018. In 2024, eight states approved similar…
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Ballot measure campaigns in 2024 raised more than the last three even-year election cycles
In 2024, campaigns supporting and opposing the 159 ballot measures that appeared on statewide ballots received more than $1.3 billion in contributions—more than each of the last three even-year election cycles. Campaigns in 2020 raised the second-highest amount ($1.2 billion) despite having the fewest number of ballot measures—129. Campaigns behind the 11 measures in California…
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Oregon voters have defeated more ballot measures than they have approved since 1900
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Oregon ballot measures since 1900. Oregon voters decided on 881 ballot measures between 1900 and 2024—defeating over 53% of them. Four hundred eleven (411) measures were approved, and four hundred seventy (470) measures were defeated. Of the 881 ballot measures, 14 were decided by less than a percentage point…
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Wisconsin voters have decided on 257 ballot measures since statehood
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Wisconsin ballot measures since 1846, when voters decided on a ballot measure to form a state government. Wisconsin decided on 257 ballot measures between 1846 and 2024. Of these, 184 measures (71.6%) were approved, while 73 (28.4%) were defeated. Only the Wisconsin State Legislature can place a ballot measure…
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Nine states have new initiative signature requirements heading into the 2025-2026 election cycle
Heading into the 2025-2026 election cycle, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures changed in nine states. Turnout on Nov.5, 2024, caused signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures to change in seven states. Two other states changed their requirements based on the number of registered voters. The average change was a 12.47% increase. Changes ranged from a…
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Voters in Seattle deciding on four local ballot measures on Feb. 11, including two competing measures
Seattle voters will be deciding on two competing propositions as well as two school district levy renewals on Feb. 11. The competing measures are Propositions 1A and 1B. Proposition 1A (previously Initiative 137) is a citizen-initiated measure, and Proposition 1B is an alternative measure referred to the ballot by the Seattle City Council. Voters will…
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Wisconsin voters to decide on adding voter photo ID requirement to state constitution on April 1
Wisconsin voters will decide on a constitutional amendment on April 1 to require photo identification to vote. A photo ID is already required by state law. The state legislature took the final vote on Jan. 14 to send the amendment to voters. Currently, 35 states require voters to present identification in order to vote at…
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Californians decided on 1,306 ballot measures between 1910 and 2024
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all California ballot measures since 1910, the year before the state adopted the initiative and referendum process. Californians decided on 1,306 ballot measures between 1910 and 2024. Seven hundred fifty-two (752) measures were approved, and five hundred fifty-four (554) were defeated. Of the 1,306 ballot measures, 27 were decided by…