Category: Ballot measures

  • Puerto Ricans approve non-binding statehood referendum

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    Voters in Puerto Rico approved a non-binding referendum that asked: “Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state?” The “Yes” side received 623,053 or 52.3% as of votes recorded on November 9.  While the ballot measure itself cannot compel the U.S. Congress to act on the issue of Puerto Rico’s political…

  • 33 committees supporting and opposing Colorado’s 11 November ballot measures raised over $59 million, spent over $57 million

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    Thirty-three committees registered to support and oppose the eleven measures that appeared on the Nov. 3 ballot in Colorado. The 33 committees raised $59,164,321.52 and spent $57,392,791.82 according to reports due on November 2 that covered election information through October 28. The next regular reports are due on December 3. Eight of these 11 measures…

  • Notable ballot measure results following the Nov. 3 elections

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    As of 10:50 AM Eastern Time on Nov. 4, Ballotpedia had called 82 statewide ballot measures, of which 65 were approved and 17 were defeated. The remaining 38 remained uncalled. Here are some notable results: Voters approved changes to state drug and criminal justice policies in several states. In Oregon, two ballot measures—Measure 109 and…

  • Illinois voters reject constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income tax

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    Illinois voters rejected a constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income tax by a vote of 55% against to 45% in favor.   The ballot measure would have repealed the state’s constitutional requirement that the state’s personal income tax is a flat rate across income. Instead, the ballot measure would have allowed the state to enact legislation for…

  • Voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota pass ballot measures to legalize marijuana

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    Ballot measures to legalize marijuana were passed by voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota, bringing the total number of states with laws providing for legal marijuana to 15.  Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota are the only states besides Alaska that voted for Republican presidential candidates from 2000 to 2016 and that have…

  • Nov. 4 ballot measure update

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    As of 7:30 Eastern on Nov. 4, Ballotpedia had called 93 statewide ballot measures, of which 72 were approved and 21 were defeated. The remaining 27 (out of the 120 total) remained uncalled. Here are some notable measures that we called on Wednesday: Illinois voters reject a constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated income…

  • California voters reject affirmative action proposition

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    California voters rejected Proposition 16 by a vote of 56% to 44% according to results reported on Nov. 4 at 11:00 am. Proposition 16 would have allowed the use of affirmative action involving race-based or sex-based preferences in California by repealing Proposition 209, passed in 1996, from the California Constitution. Proposition 209 stated that discrimination…

  • California voters reject veto referendum to end cash bail for detained suspects awaiting trial

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    Voters decided that California will not become the first state to end the use of cash bail for all detained suspects awaiting trials. Proposition 25 was a veto referendum targeting the repeal of Senate Bill 10 (2019), which would have replaced cash bail with risk assessments. Voters rejected SB 10 by a vote of 55%…

  • Colorado voters approve paid family and medical leave proposition

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    Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in a vote of 57% to 43%. The measure establishes a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado to provide 12 weeks (up to 16 weeks in certain cases) of paid leave (with a maximum benefit of $1,100 per week) funded through a payroll tax to be paid for by…

  • Massachusetts voters approve wireless vehicle data access measure, reject ranked-choice voting

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    Massachusetts voters approved Question 1, the measure requiring wireless vehicle data access to owners and independent auto repair shops related to the state’s “right to repair law.” It was approved 75% to 25% according to unofficial election night results. Voters defeated Question 2 55% to 45% with 82 percent of precincts reporting. Question 2 would…