Category: Ballot measures
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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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On this date in 1974, Alaska voters approved an initiative to change the state’s capital city, which did not occur
Fifty-one years ago, on August 27, 1974, Alaskan voters approved Initiative 1, a ballot measure that began the process to move the state capital from Juneau to a city in Western Alaska. It was the third measure on the ballot in fourteen years that would have required a change in the capital city. Alaskans have…
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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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Alaska’s ballot measure history: 220 statewide measures decided by voters
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Alaska ballot measures since 1956—the year voters ratified the state constitution and three years before Alaska gained statehood. Since 1956, voters have decided 220 ballot measures. Of those, 158 (72%) were approved and 62 (28%) were defeated. In Alaska, most measures are placed on the ballot either through…
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State lawmakers enacted 72 bills on ballot measures and direct democracy in 2025, the highest total since at least 2017
States have enacted 72 bills and resolutions concerning the three powers of direct democracy in the U.S.—the ballot initiative, referendum, and recall election—in 2025 through Aug. 8. The average number of bills and resolutions enacted per year from 2018 to 2024 was 35. While most bills are adopted during the first half of the year…
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Ohio voters could decide same-sex marriage amendments in 2026
Two citizen initiatives in Ohio, which would amend the state constitution regarding same-sex marriage, were certified to circulate for signature-gathering in the state. If enough signatures are submitted, these amendments will be decided by voters in 2026. One initiative would repeal language in the Ohio Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman,…
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Initiative sponsors in Massachusetts filed a total of 47 measures by the Aug. 6 deadline, the second most since 2012
In Massachusetts, the initiative filing deadline for the 2026 ballot was Aug. 6. Initiative sponsors filed 47 measures (42 initiated state statutes and five initiated constitutional amendments) by the deadline. The 42 initiated state statutes could be placed on the 2026 ballot. Constitutional amendments require a longer approval process, meaning the five initiated constitutional amendments…
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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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Ballot measure update: No new 2025 or 2026 ballot measure certifications in July or first week of August
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2025 is 29, which, as of August 5, is equal to the average for this point in the election cycle compared to previous years (2011-2023). For 2026, the number of certified ballot measures is 55, which is 10 above the average. 2025 ballot measures By late May…
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State legislatures approved 10 of 33 indirect initiated state statutes between 2018 and 2025
Between 2018 and 2025, state legislatures approved 10 of the 33 indirect initiated state statutes (30.3%) that qualified for the ballot, with voters deciding the remaining 23. An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes. While…