Category: Ballot measures
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Over the past two weeks, four new ballot measures in Colorado and Montana, and one removed in Arizona
As of August 18, 152 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 40 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Over the past two weeks: The most recent signature deadline for ballot initiatives was August 3, 2026,…
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Montana Secretary of State certifies three ballot initiatives for November, addressing judicial elections, the initiative power, and corporate contributions to campaigns
Three ballot initiatives were certified for the November ballot on Aug. 17 in Montana. The initiatives address judicial elections, the initiative and referendum power, and political spending by artificial persons. CI-132 is a constitutional amendment that would provide that judicial elections remain nonpartisan. Montana has elected its judges since 1889, when it ratified its first…
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Massachusetts initiative would require local voter approval and other conditions for data center permits, the second statewide proposal following Ohio
A Massachusetts citizen filed an initiative petition with the state Election Division that would prohibit local permitting agencies from issuing a data center permit until certain conditions are met and the data center is approved by two-thirds of the local electorate. The conditions include: A data center is a physical facility that houses computer systems…
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Miami voters to decide election timing, Marine Stadium ballot measures on Aug. 18
Miami voters will decide two local ballot measures on Aug. 18, 2026. The first measure, Referendum 1, would move city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. The second measure, Referendum 2, would authorize the city to enter an agreement with Global Spectrum to renovate and manage the Miami Marine Stadium. Here’s what to know…
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Colorado voters to decide on ballot initiative establishing state constitutional right to purchase and sell natural gas
Voters in Colorado will decide on a ballot measure related to the right to purchase and sell natural gas to homes and businesses. Initiative 177 The measure — known as Initiative 177 — would add a new section to Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution to establish the right for consumers to purchase natural gas…
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Over the past two weeks, one new ballot measure in Maryland, one removed in Arizona
As of August 4, 149 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 39 states, 14 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Over the past two weeks: The most recent signature deadline for ballot initiatives was August 3, 2026,…
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State lawmakers enacted 37 bills on ballot measures and direct democracy through mid-2026
States have enacted 37 bills and resolutions concerning the three powers of direct democracy in the U.S. — the ballot initiative, referendum, and recall election — in 2026, through Aug. 5, 2026. The average number of bills and resolutions enacted per year from 2018 to 2025 was 41. While most bills are adopted during the…
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Signatures submitted for Colorado graduated income tax measure that competes with proposed income tax cap initiative
In Colorado, signatures were submitted to the secretary of state on August 3, 2026, for a ballot initiative to establish a graduated income tax. Known as Initiative 195, the measure would establish a six-tier structure for state income taxes, ranging from 3.7% to 8.4%, and remove the uniform tax rate requirement from the Taxpayer's Bill…
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Signatures submitted in Colorado for initiative that would require approval from an independent commission and the state supreme court for mid-decade redistricting maps
In Colorado, signatures were submitted to the secretary of state's office on July 29 for a ballot initiative related to mid-decade redistricting. The measure — known as Initiative 256 — would require any mid-decade redistricting plan to be approved by both the state's independent redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court. The initiative would also…
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Two referred ballot measures were ruled unconstitutional and blocked from the Arizona ballot by Maricopa County Judges
Arizona voters will not decide Proposition 143 or Proposition 145 after two separate Maricopa County Superior judges ruled they violated the state’s separate amendment rule and were unconstitutional. Proposition 143 On July 24, Judge Gregory Como issued a ruling stating that Proposition 143 was unconstitutional. Proposition 143, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, would have prohibited…