Author: Victoria Antram
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2026 had the fewest ballot initiatives filed since 2014, with 692
In 2026, petitioners filed 692 ballot initiatives in the 26 states that authorize the initiative and referendum power — the fewest filed since 2014, when 616 were filed. Of the 692 filed this year, 53 initiatives qualified for statewide ballots, in line with the average number certified in even-numbered years from 2010 to 2024. For…
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Voters will decide on 13 ballot measures to establish or modify state constitutional rights in 2026
On Nov. 3, voters in nine states will decide 13 ballot measures to establish, expand, or repeal rights in state constitutions. State constitutional rights affect the relationship between individuals and state and local governments. The U.S. Constitution establishes a minimum level of protection that states cannot violate, while state constitutions may establish more specific rights.…
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First measure certified in California for 2028 makes changes to 1996 affirmative action ban
The California State Assembly took the final vote on Aug. 30 to send Assembly Constitutional Amendment 7 (ACA 7) to voters on Nov. 7, 2028. Currently, the state constitution prohibits racial discrimination and preferential treatment in public employment, public education, and public contracting. ACA 7 would narrow the affirmative action ban language so that within…
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At least eight ballot measures in 2026 will address state initiative and referendum processes, the highest number since 2000
In 2026, voters will decide on at least eight ballot measures related to the initiative and referendum process. Seven measures would add requirements or restrictions to the process, including two that voters decided earlier in the year in North Dakota and Missouri. One measure would expand constitutional provisions related to the initiative and referendum process.…
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Montana Secretary of State certifies three ballot initiatives for November, addressing judicial elections, the initiative power, and corporate contributions to campaigns
Three ballot initiatives were certified for the November ballot on Aug. 17 in Montana. The initiatives address judicial elections, the initiative and referendum power, and political spending by artificial persons. CI-132 is a constitutional amendment that would provide that judicial elections remain nonpartisan. Montana has elected its judges since 1889, when it ratified its first…
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Maryland voters to decide ballot measure on whether state constitutional criteria for political boundaries apply to congressional districts
The Maryland General Assembly voted on Aug. 4 to send a ballot measure to voters in November that would provide that constitutional requirements for contiguity, compactness, substantially equal population, and consideration of natural and political subdivision boundaries apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional districts, and that the Maryland Constitution establishes no criteria for…
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2026 will be the first even-numbered year since 1966 without an initiative on the general election ballot in Oregon after an initiative to ban hunting fails to qualify
The Oregon Secretary of State announced on July 24 that an initiative to ban hunting in the state did not submit a sufficient number of valid signatures, missing the signature threshold for the November ballot. No other campaigns submitted signatures this election cycle in Oregon by the July 2 deadline. 2026 will be the first…
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Kansas would join 21 other states in electing state Supreme Court justices if amendment passes Aug. 4; if rejected, Kansas would remain the only state with a bar-controlled nominating commission
Kansas voters will head to the polls on Aug. 4 for the state’s primary and are set to also decide on a constitutional amendment that would provide for the election of the Kansas Supreme Court. Currently, the seven justices are selected through assisted appointment and must stand for retention at the next even-year general election…
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Nebraska campaign submits signatures for initiative to raise legislative threshold for changing voter-approved measures and initiative process laws
Respect Nebraska Voters, the campaign behind an initiative to require a four-fifths legislative vote both to change laws governing the initiative and referendum process and to amend or repeal voter-approved initiatives, submitted more than 186,000 signatures on July 2. The initiated constitutional amendment would increase the vote threshold from two-thirds to four-fifths to change or…
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Campaign behind two online sports betting initiatives submitted signatures in Nebraska
Tax Relief Nebraska, the committee behind two ballot initiatives that would legalize online sports betting in the state, filed signatures with the secretary of state on June 26. One initiative is an amendment that would authorize laws governing online sports betting. The second is an initiated state statute that would authorize the state gaming commission…