Category: Ballot measures
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One hundred years after Pierce v. Society of Sisters, ballot measures continue to shape school choice policy
One hundred years ago, on June 1, 1925, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, striking down a voter-approved ballot initiative, Oregon Measure Nos. 314-315, which required children to attend public schools. The Court held that “the child is not the mere creature of the State” and “the fundamental…
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Ballot measure update: Texas adds 7 more for 2025; Alaska campaign finance and Missouri abortion measures certified for 2026
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of May 27. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 22 statewide ballot measures have been certified in six states—Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is nine more than the average of 13…
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Oklahoma enacts pay-per-signature ban, residency requirement, signature distribution requirement, and funding disclosure rules for ballot initiative petitions
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) signed Senate Bill 1027 (SB 1027) on May 27, enacting changes to the state’s initiative and referendum processes. The bill passed in the Oklahoma State Legislature with all Democrats voting against and all but six Republicans in favor. Oklahoma is one of 26 states with an initiative process. Citizens in…
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Alaska voters to decide on campaign contribution limits ballot initiative in Nov. 2026
Alaska voters will decide on a ballot initiative in 2026 to establish new limits on campaign contributions to state and local candidates. The measure, a citizen initiative backed by the group Citizens Against Money in Politics, would set specific caps on how much individuals and groups may give to candidates and political organizations. As an…
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Texas voters to decide on three property tax exemption amendments, including third homestead exemption increase in three years
The Texas State Legislature voted to send three property tax exemption amendments to the Nov. 4 ballot this week—increasing two existing exemptions and authorizing the creation of a new one. Senate Joint Resolution 2 would increase the property tax exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 of the market value of a homestead. This will be the…
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Nevada voters to decide on 2026 ballot initiative allowing public school teacher strikes
Nevada voters will decide on a ballot initiative in 2026 to exempt school teachers and certain other school employees from the state law prohibiting public employee strikes. The initiative, if approved by voters, would change Nevada state law to allow public school teachers, and other education personnel, to strike. In 1969, Nevada passed legislation making…
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Federal judge declares Oregon cannabis union law unconstitutional, overturning the 2024 ballot measure
Oregon Measure 119, which was approved by voters in November 2024, was overturned by a federal judge on May 20, 2025. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued an opinion holding that the ballot measure violates the U.S. Constitution and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by limiting employers’ right to free speech. Measure 119, which…
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Texans to decide on parental rights amendment in November, first ballot measure of its kind since 1996
Texas voters will decide whether to add language to the state constitution to provide that parents have the right “to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing” and the responsibility “to nurture and protect the parent’s child.” In Texas, a two-thirds vote in…
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Montana is sixth state this year to adopt a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures
Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed House Bill 818 on May 13, making Montana the sixth state in 2025 to adopt a ban on foreign spending in ballot measure campaigns. Montana joins five other states that adopted bans this year—Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming—and ten states that passed similar laws in prior years, bringing the…
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Florida enacts law changing initiative process requirements; legal challenge filed in federal court
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 1205 on May 2, 2025. Changes included requirements for paid signature gatherers, such as registration, training, and residency requirements, voter signature requirements, limitations on ballot initiative sponsoring committees, and petition form standards. HB 1205 passed the legislature with unanimous support from Republicans and unanimous opposition from Democrats. The one…