Category: Ballot measures
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Legislatures in Arizona, California, and Rhode Island will decide on legislatively referred ballot measures in June
Three states—Arizona, California, and Rhode Island—have June deadlines for referring measures to voters. In Arizona, where legislators extended their session through June 30, 31 measures have passed one chamber and are awaiting a vote in the other. California's legislature does not adjourn until August 31, but legislative measures must be certified by June 25. Rhode…
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Over the past two weeks, 12 new ballot measures were certified in seven states
As of May 26, 117 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 38 states, 15 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The most recent…
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Campaign behind initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submits required number of signatures
The campaign behind a ballot initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submitted over 120,000 signatures as of May 20. The initiative, referred to by the sponsors as the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, would amend Chapter 167 of the Oregon Revised Statutes to…
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Voters across 34 California counties will decide on 113 local ballot measures on June 2, 2026
Voters across 34 California counties will decide on 113 local ballot measures on June 2, 2026, ranging from school bonds and parcel taxes to data center bans and election administration changes. The statewide primary is historically the second-largest election date for local ballot measures in California, behind only the November general election in even-numbered years.…
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North Carolina voters to decide on two measures related to property and income tax limits on the November 2026 ballot
The North Carolina State Legislature approved two constitutional amendments related to property and income tax limits for the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Legislators passed both amendments on May 20, 2026. In North Carolina, a 60% vote is required during a single legislative session for the North Carolina General Assembly to place a…
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Twenty-one states set at least one requirement on ballot initiative petition circulators
In states across the country, groups are gathering signatures to place initiatives or referendums on the 2026 ballot. Of the 26 states that allow citizen initiatives, 21 have at least one law setting requirements for petition circulators. Six states have laws requiring signature gatherers to be state residents. Nine states have laws directly or indirectly…
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SEIU-UHW sponsored initiative that would set spending requirement on patient care for health clinics qualifies for ballot in California
A ballot initiative to require nonprofit federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes to spend at least 90% of their annual total revenue on expenses that advance the health center's mission qualified for the general election in California. The initiative defines the spending requirement as a mission spend ratio. A FQHC is defined in…
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North Dakota voters to decide amendment requiring schools to provide free meals
North Dakota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would require schools to provide free meals to students. The initiative, sponsored by Together for School Meals, would amend the constitution to require all public schools to provide one free breakfast and one free lunch to students each school day. Under the amendment, schools that…
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Louisiana becomes fourth state to advance a bail-related constitutional amendment to voters in 2026
The Louisiana State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment related to post-conviction bail for defendants who are convicted of an aggravated offense against minors for the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Legislators passed the amendment on May 13, 2026. In Louisiana, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during a single session to place a…
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Minnesota voters to decide on a constitutional amendment that would allow more state funds to be distributed to school districts each year
Minnesota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would change the policies surrounding the investment and distribution of the Minnesota Permanent School Fund. On May 16, 2026, the Minnesota state legislature approved House File 3900 (HF 3900), which placed the constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot for voters to decide. On March 2,…