Category: State

  • Approval rate for constitutional amendments in 2024 hits lowest level since 2005

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    In 2024, voters in 35 states decided on 96 constitutional amendments, approving 60 (63%) and rejecting 36 (38%). The approval rate was the lowest since 2005, when voters approved 14 (54%) of the 26 amendments appearing on statewide ballots. From 2003 through 2024, odd-year election cycles featured a higher average approval rate for proposed constitutional…

  • SNAP work requirements 2024 state legislation roundup

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    Ballotpedia tracked two state bills related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements that were enacted in 2024. One was a Florida bill that expanded work requirements for SNAP benefits by increasing the age for which requirements still apply beyond the federally set age. The other bill was in Louisiana and limited the…

  • Checks and Balances, December 2024

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    In this edition of Checks and Balances: Federal stories: State stories: Commentary: Regulatory Tally: In Washington President-elect Trump announces Department of Government Efficiency creation What’s the story? President-elect Donald Trump (R) on Nov. 12 announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to advise the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on cutting…

  • Looking ahead at 2025 ranked-choice voting legislation

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    More bills pre-filed or carried over to 2025 legislative sessions would adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) than would ban it, but their path to becoming law remains uncertain.  Ranked-choice voting was one of the hottest election policy topics of 2024, both in state legislative sessions and on voters’ ballots. Six states banned RCV, more than in…

  • Changes to voting laws and state board of election included in North Carolina veto override

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    On Dec. 11, 2024, the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s (D) veto of S 382. Cooper vetoed the bill on Nov. 26, and the North Carolina Senate voted along partisan lines to override the veto 30-19 on Dec. 2. The 72-46 vote in the House confirmed the override.   The bill combines disaster relief funding for communities and businesses…

  • North Carolina legislature sends constitutional amendment to 2026 ballot requiring photo ID to vote, including by mail

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    The North Carolina State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment to require photo identification to vote by mail or by other means, rather than only for voters voting in person. The amendment will appear on the Nov. 2026 ballot. In North Carolina, voter ID is currently required for those voting in person but is not required…

  • Ballotpedia adds special elections to state supreme court vacancy coverage

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    Ballotpedia now includes vacancies filled by special elections in our state supreme court vacancy coverage. In 2024, there has been one retirement from a state supreme court, resulting in a vacancy that will be filled by a special election occurring in 2025. Louisiana: On August 4, 2024, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese (R) stepped…

  • Voters in San Mateo County, California, to decide on charter amendment to allow supervisors to remove elected sheriff for cause

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    Voters in San Mateo County, California, will decide on a charter amendment to allow the County Board of Supervisors to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office for cause through a four-fifths (4 of 5) vote. The charter amendment would expire on December 31, 2028. Voters will decide on the charter amendment at a special election…

  • North Carolina Senate Republicans pass two constitutional amendments related to income taxes and voter ID

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    The North Carolina State Senate passed two constitutional amendments on Dec. 2, 2024, which voters would decide in Nov. 2026.  One amendment, SB 920, would reduce the maximum income tax rate from 7% to 5%. The other, SB 921, would require all voters to provide photo identification to vote. In North Carolina, voter ID is…