Category: Ballot measures
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With 322 local ballot measures, 2025 saw the highest total in the largest cities and state capitals for any odd-numbered year since at least 2017
In 2025, 322 local measures appeared on ballots in the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and in state capitals. This included citywide measures, countywide measures, special district measures, and school district measures. The 322 local measures appeared in 29 different states on 21 different election dates. This is the highest number of local…
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Ballot measures to change election systems proposed in seven states for 2026
Voters in seven states, including Kansas, where a measure is already certified, may consider election-related ballot measures in 2026. The certified and potential measures are detailed by status below. On the ballot The Kansas State Legislature voted earlier this year to send a constitutional amendment to the Aug. 6, 2026, primary ballot that would provide…
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Three states certify 2026 measures on citizenship voting requirements; four more proposals are pending
In 2026, voters in up to seven states could decide on ballot measures establishing citizenship voting requirements in elections. While three states have already certified their measures for the ballot, the other four measures are proposed, either citizen-initiated ballot measures that have been cleared for signature gathering or legislative referrals that require additional votes. Measures…
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Ballot measure update: No new measures certified in November; 11 ballot initiative campaigns in Massachusetts and two initiatives in Alaska and Colorado submit signatures for 2026
No new measures were certified in November for 2026. So far, voters in 28 states will decide on 56 ballot measures next year. At this point in the election cycle, an average of 52 ballot measures were certified between 2010 and 2024. An average of 161 statewide ballot measures—53 initiated measures and 108 referred measures—appeared…
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Voters in eight states could decide on 12 ballot measures related to sex, gender, and LGBTQ issues in 2026
Voters in eight states could decide on 12 ballot measures related to sex, gender, and LGBTQ issues in 2026. Of these 12 measures, one has been certified for the ballot—Missouri Amendment 3. The other 11 are proposed, either citizen-initiated ballot measures that have been cleared for signature gathering or legislative referrals that require additional votes.…
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Signatures submitted for 2026 Colorado ballot initiative related to fentanyl penalties
In Colorado, signatures were submitted on Nov. 20 to the secretary of state for a ballot initiative that would increase the penalties for the manufacturing, sale, and possession of fentanyl. The filing deadline for this measure, referred to as Initiative 85, was Nov. 28. Along with expanding those penalties, Initiative 85 would also establish mandated…
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Supporters of at least 10 Massachusetts ballot initiatives submitted signatures. If all qualify, 2026 could see the most ballot initiatives in state history.
In Massachusetts, the deadline to submit signatures for 2026 ballot initiatives to local registrars was Nov. 19. Campaigns for at least 10 different ballot initiatives reported filing signatures. Earlier, on Sept. 3, 44 initiatives were approved for signature gathering. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (D) noted the high number of signature submissions, saying, "There’s a unanimity…
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Bexar County, Texas, voters approve two ballot measures to increase tax revenue for stadiums
Voters in Bexar County, Texas, approved two ballot measures on Nov. 4 — Proposition A and Proposition B — related to raising certain taxes and allocating revenue from the taxes towards the development of local arenas. Both measures increased the county's hotel occupancy tax rate from 1.75% to 2% and established that revenue from both…
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Greenbelt, Maryland, could be the next municipality to adopt ranked-choice voting
On Nov. 4, 2025, voters in Greenbelt, Maryland, passed a non-binding referendum in favor of adopting ranked-choice voting (RCV) for city council elections. If the Greenbelt City Council adopts an RCV system, it would be the 52nd locality in the United States that uses or is scheduled to use RCV in at least some elections.…
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Texas voters approve all 17 constitutional amendments, including prohibiting certain future taxes, adding parental rights, and prohibiting noncitizens from voting in state and local elections
Texas voters approved 17 constitutional amendments on Nov. 4, with support ranging from 57% to 89%. The average approval rate was 70%. The measure with the closest margin was Proposition 6, which prohibits the state legislature from enacting laws that impose an occupation tax on a registered securities market operator or a securities transaction tax.…