Category: Ballot measures
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Sponsors have filed 90 more ballot initiatives for elections in 2023 than the average number filed at this point in the last six odd-year numbered cycles
As of July 1, initiative sponsors have filed 262 citizen-initiated ballot measures for elections in 2023, which is 90 more than the average (172) of the last six odd-year numbered cycles (2011-2021). 2023 has the second-highest number behind 2021, which saw 293 initiatives filed by this same point in the cycle. Like the past six…
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Ohio could join 23 states that legalized recreational marijuana in Nov. 2023 as signatures are submitted for ballot initiative
On July 5, 2023, signatures were submitted for a marijuana legalization initiative that may appear on the ballot for Ohio voters in November. If the measure appears on the ballot and voters approve it, Ohio will join 23 states that have already legalized marijuana—including 14 of those states and D.C. that have legalized marijuana through…
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Voters have decided on 959 parcel tax measures in California since 2008, with the next one scheduled for July 11 in Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District
Californians have decided on 950 local parcel tax ballot measures from 2008 to 2022. Voters in Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District, a 1.875-square-mile special district in the Sierra Nevada, will decide the next parcel tax measure on July 11, 2023. Between 2008 and 2022, 569 (59.89%) parcel tax ballot measures were approved and 381 (40.11%)…
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Voters in seven states have decided on 10 affirmative action ballot measures
Voters in seven states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Washington — have decided on 10 ballot measures related to affirmative action policies. Of these 10 ballot measures, voters decided against certain affirmative action policies eight times, either enacting prohibitions or defeating measures that would have expanded the use of affirmative action. Twice…
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Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications
As of June 27, 2023, 31 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in eight states for elections in 2023. That’s nine more measures than the average number (22) certified at this point in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021. The number certified—31—also ties with 2021 for the highest number of any of those…
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Washington and Wisconsin enact laws limiting advisory questions on ballots
Washington and Wisconsin passed bills during their 2023 legislative sessions that limited non-binding questions, also known as advisory questions or advisory votes, on election ballots. These two bills are among 349 legislative proposals introduced in 2023 that concern topics related to direct democracy, including ballot measures, initiatives, veto referendums, referrals, local ballot measures, and recall…
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Oregon voters to decide on establishing commission that would decide salaries of public officials in 2024
On Nov. 5, 2024, Oregon voters will decide on establishing a commission that would determine the salaries of certain public officials. The ballot measure, which passed the Oregon State Legislature on June 25, would amend the Oregon Constitution to establish the Independent Public Service Compensation Commission. The commission would decide the salaries of the governor,…
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Nevada voters will decide on a sales tax exemption for diapers in 2024
On Nov. 5, 2024, Nevada voters will decide on a ballot measure that would provide a sales tax exemption for both child and adult diapers. The measure, referred to the ballot by the Nevada State Legislature, would amend the Sales and Use Tax of 1955. The sales and use tax is on the total revenue…
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Oregon to decide on ranked-choice voting ballot measure in 2024, following measures in four other states
Oregon will be the fifth state to vote on a ranked-choice voting (RCV) ballot measure. On June 25, the Oregon House and Senate passed House Bill 2004 (HB 2004), sending the proposed change to the ballot for voters to decide on Nov. 5, 2024. Should voters approve the ballot measure, RCV would be implemented for…
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Oregon is the only state where the legislature cannot impeach the governor. Voters will decide on an amendment to change that in 2024.
There’s one state where the legislature cannot impeach the governor — Oregon. That could change on Nov. 5, 2024, when voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to empower the Oregon State Legislature to impeach and remove elected state executives, including the governor. The constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds vote in the House to…