Category: Ballot measures
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California voters decided on the highest number of local ballot measures in more than a decade
In 2024, California voters decided on 842 local ballot measures on five different election dates. This is the greatest number of local ballot measures decided in California from 2014 to 2024. Voters decided most of the ballot measures during the general election on Nov. 5, 2024, when 697 local measures were on the ballot. However,…
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Number of local ballot measures in the 100 largest cities and state capitals has increased every election cycle since 2018
In 2024, Ballotpedia covered local measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and in the state capitals not among the 100 largest cities. There were 502 local measures across 37 states on the ballot for voters in the top 100 largest cities and state capitals…
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Campaigns for abortion rights measures raised eight times more than opposing campaigns in 2024
In 2024, voters in ten states—Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota—decided on 11 abortion-related ballot measures in Nov. 2024. This is the most on record for a single year. Ten addressed state constitutional rights to abortion. Voters approved seven of them in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New…
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Ohio voters to decide $2.5 billion infrastructure bond on May 6, the fifth for the program since 1987
Voters in Ohio will decide on a $2.5-billion bond measure at a special election on May 6, 2025. The general obligation bond, limited to $250 million per year over 10 years, would fund the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) through the Ohio Public Works Commission. SCIP provides local governments with grants, loans, loan assistance, and…
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Five states reject ranked-choice voting measures, Alaska retains system after recount
In 2024, voters decided on seven ballot measures related to ranked-choice voting, the most ever in a single year. While voters in one state—Alaska—retained RCV, five measures to adopt the system were rejected in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. In Missouri, voters approved a constitutional amendment to prohibit RCV. Voters in five localities, including…
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State ballot measure update: Four ballot measures certified for 2025, one for 2026, during the past two weeks
Four statewide measures are certified for the 2025 ballot in one state—Louisiana—as of Nov. 26, 2024. For 2026, eight statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in six states. 2025 ballot measures During the past two weeks, four constitutional amendments were certified in Louisiana for a special election on March 29, 2025: 2026 ballot…
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Massachusetts voters to decide on firearm regulations veto referendum in 2026, which is the state’s second ballot measure, first veto referendum on firearms
Voters in Massachusetts will decide on a veto referendum to repeal House Bill 4855 (H. 4855), also known as Acts of 2024 Chapter 135, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws. H. 4855 is an omnibus-style bill that made several changes to the state’s firearm regulations. On Nov. 22, the veto referendum was certified for the general…
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Louisiana voters to decide on four constitutional amendments addressing taxes, courts, and criminal justice on March 29, 2025
The Louisiana State Legislature approved bills for four constitutional amendments on Nov. 22, 2024. Voters will decide them on March 29, 2025. The constitutional amendments address the state’s tax structure, state courts, judicial elections for vacant seats, and juvenile criminal justice policies. Changes to state tax policy and government budget House Bill 7 would revise…
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Louisiana voters to decide on four constitutional amendments on Dec. 7
Voters in Louisiana will decide on four constitutional amendments on Dec. 7. The amendments address topics related to state courts, state legislative procedures, and property tax sales. They each received support from a majority of legislative Republicans and Democrats. Amendment 1 would make changes to the judiciary commission and discipline of judges, including: Amendment 2…
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When legislative party control changes, 81% of constitutional amendments failed in legislatures with two-session vote requirements
Amending a state constitution requires voter approval, except in Delaware. There are various ways a constitutional amendment can reach the ballot for voter consideration. States have different rules and procedures for how legislatures can place constitutional amendments on the ballot. There are two main differences for legislative actions: (a) the number of legislative sessions that…