Category: Ballot measures
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California voters decided on 42 local ballot measures in 2025, the lowest total for an odd-numbered year in at least a decade
In 2025, voters in California decided on 42 ballot measures across eight elections and 17 counties. The total number of local ballot measures in California in 2025 was the lowest in at least a decade, with three fewer measures than in 2023, even as the number of local ballot measures in the nation’s largest cities…
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Five ballot initiatives filed in California to regulate artificial intelligence and its developers
California voters could be the first in the nation to decide on ballot initiatives regulating artificial intelligence in 2026. Five proposed initiatives to regulate AI and its developers have been filed with the attorney general and are awaiting ballot titles before signature gathering can begin. Jim Steyer, the chief executive officer of Common Sense Media,…
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Five states certify measures on vote thresholds for ballot initiatives and amendments; one additional measure is pending
Voters in up to six states could decide on ballot measures establishing or changing vote requirements for initiatives and amendments in 2026. Five states have already certified their respective measures for the ballot, and one is a proposed legislative referral that requires additional votes for certification. Measures certified for the ballot Five states have ballot…
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With 322 local ballot measures, 2025 saw the highest total in the largest cities and state capitals for any odd-numbered year since at least 2017
In 2025, 322 local measures appeared on ballots in the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and in state capitals. This included citywide measures, countywide measures, special district measures, and school district measures. The 322 local measures appeared in 29 different states on 21 different election dates. This is the highest number of local…
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Ballot measures to change election systems proposed in seven states for 2026
Voters in seven states, including Kansas, where a measure is already certified, may consider election-related ballot measures in 2026. The certified and potential measures are detailed by status below. On the ballot The Kansas State Legislature voted earlier this year to send a constitutional amendment to the Aug. 6, 2026, primary ballot that would provide…
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Three states certify 2026 measures on citizenship voting requirements; four more proposals are pending
In 2026, voters in up to seven states could decide on ballot measures establishing citizenship voting requirements in elections. While three states have already certified their measures for the ballot, the other four measures are proposed, either citizen-initiated ballot measures that have been cleared for signature gathering or legislative referrals that require additional votes. Measures…
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Ballot measure update: No new measures certified in November; 11 ballot initiative campaigns in Massachusetts and two initiatives in Alaska and Colorado submit signatures for 2026
No new measures were certified in November for 2026. So far, voters in 28 states will decide on 56 ballot measures next year. At this point in the election cycle, an average of 52 ballot measures were certified between 2010 and 2024. An average of 161 statewide ballot measures—53 initiated measures and 108 referred measures—appeared…
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Voters in eight states could decide on 12 ballot measures related to sex, gender, and LGBTQ issues in 2026
Voters in eight states could decide on 12 ballot measures related to sex, gender, and LGBTQ issues in 2026. Of these 12 measures, one has been certified for the ballot—Missouri Amendment 3. The other 11 are proposed, either citizen-initiated ballot measures that have been cleared for signature gathering or legislative referrals that require additional votes.…
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Signatures submitted for 2026 Colorado ballot initiative related to fentanyl penalties
In Colorado, signatures were submitted on Nov. 20 to the secretary of state for a ballot initiative that would increase the penalties for the manufacturing, sale, and possession of fentanyl. The filing deadline for this measure, referred to as Initiative 85, was Nov. 28. Along with expanding those penalties, Initiative 85 would also establish mandated…
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Supporters of at least 10 Massachusetts ballot initiatives submitted signatures. If all qualify, 2026 could see the most ballot initiatives in state history.
In Massachusetts, the deadline to submit signatures for 2026 ballot initiatives to local registrars was Nov. 19. Campaigns for at least 10 different ballot initiatives reported filing signatures. Earlier, on Sept. 3, 44 initiatives were approved for signature gathering. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (D) noted the high number of signature submissions, saying, "There’s a unanimity…