Category: Ballot measures
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Over the past two weeks, two new ballot measures were certified in Alaska and Oregon, and signatures were verified for 11 indirect initiatives in Massachusetts
As of Jan. 7, 58 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 30 states, five more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years from 2014 to 2024. Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The next signature deadline for ballot…
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Signatures filed for two Washington ballot initiatives on school sports eligibility based on biological sex and certain parental rights in public schools
Signatures were submitted in Washington on Jan. 2, 2026, for two Initiatives to the Legislature that address school sports eligibility requirements based on biological sex and certain parental rights in public schools. At least 308,911 signatures must be verified for each initiative. According to Let's Go Washington, which sponsors the initiatives, 416,201 signatures were filed…
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As state verifies signatures for 11 initiatives, Massachusetts could see record number of citizen-initiated ballot measures in 2026
The Massachusetts Elections Division announced on Jan. 5 that it had certified signatures for two initiatives, bringing the total number of initiatives certified to go before the state legislature in 2026 to 11. On Jan. 7, the secretary of the commonwealth will send the 11 initiatives to the Massachusetts General Court because initiatives are indirect…
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Alaska voters to consider ranked-choice voting repeal initiative in 2026 after narrowest defeat in state history in 2024
Voters in Alaska will decide on a ballot initiative to repeal the state's top-four ranked-choice voting system in 2026, unless the legislature approves substantially similar legislation during its upcoming session. This would be the second time that voters have considered an initiative to repeal RCV in Alaska. RCV was first adopted in 2020, with the…
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Signatures submitted for Colorado Initiative 95 on law enforcement notification to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security based on criminal charges and immigration status
In Colorado, signatures were submitted to the secretary of state on Dec. 26, 2025, for a ballot initiative related to law enforcement reporting requirements based on the type of crime an individual is charged with, their previous criminal history, and their immigration status. More specifically, the measure—referred to as Initiative 95—would amend the Colorado Constitution…
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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…