Category: Ballot measures
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Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications
For 2024, 57 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 25 states, which is one less than the average (58) for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. Here’s an update on…
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Initiatives to provide a constitutional right to abortion and legalize marijuana qualify for the ballot in Florida pending court review
In November, voters in Florida will decide on two citizen-initiated ballot measures—Amendment 3 and Amendment 4—pending the state supreme court’s review. Amendment 3 would legalize marijuana, and Amendment 4 would provide a state constitutional right for abortion. To qualify for the ballot, 891,523 valid signatures were required for each initiative. Florida Amendment 3 Amendment 3,…
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What states allow citizens to initiate ballot measures?
In the U.S., 26 states provide for a statewide initiative process, referendum process, or both. Washington, D.C. also has an initiative and referendum process. These types of ballot measures are known as citizen-initiated ballot measures. Conversely, 24 states do not provide for statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures. However, municipal and local governments provide for local initiatives…
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Signatures verified for all six Let’s Go Washington-sponsored ballot initiatives, which could appear on the ballot in Nov.
In Washington, six citizen-initiated ballot measures have been certified to the state Legislature. The ballot initiatives could appear on the ballot on Nov. 5, 2025. Let’s Go Washington, a political action committee (PAC), was formed to sponsor the initiatives. State Rep. Jim Walsh (R-19), who is also chairman of the Washington Republican Party, filed the…
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Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications
For 2024, 55 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 25 states, which is one less than the average (56) for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. Here’s an update on…
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Voters in San Francisco, California, will decide on seven local ballot measures on March 5
Voters in San Francisco, California, will decide on seven ballot measures on Mar. 5, 2024, including one bond measure, one charter amendment, four ordinances, and one declaration. The ballot measures concern topics related to housing bonds, allowing commercial spaces to be converted to residential properties without incurring a real estate transfer tax, local ethics laws,…
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At least 21 states have adopted laws addressing the readability of ballot measure language
Ballotpedia identified 21 states that have enacted laws addressing how legislators, secretaries of state, or other election officials write the question or description of a ballot measure. New York and North Dakota were the most recent states to do so in 2023. The New York State Legislature passed a law requiring that state ballot measure…
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Signatures certified for ballot initiative related to police pursuits in Washington; five more are pending signature verification
On Jan. 11, 2024, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (D) certified that enough valid signatures were submitted for Initiative 2113, meaning the initiative was certified to the state legislature. Initiative 2113 was designed to remove certain restrictions on police officers’ vehicular pursuits. The Let’s Go Washington PAC, which is sponsoring the initiative, submitted 434,594…
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Signatures submitted for $15 minimum wage and paid sick leave initiative in Alaska
On Jan. 10, the Better Jobs for Alaska campaign submitted more than 41,000 signatures for an initiative that would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The initiative may appear on the Nov. 2024 general election ballot. The initiative would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 1, 2027. It would…
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Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications
For 2024, 55 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 25 states, which is equivalent to the average for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. In Alaska, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington,…