Category: State
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Colorado voters to decide on constitutional amendment that would require approval from an independent commission and the state supreme court for mid-decade redistricting maps
Voters in Colorado will decide on a ballot measure related to mid-decade redistricting on Nov. 3, 2026. The initiated constitutional amendment — known as Initiative 256 — would require any mid-decade redistricting plan to be approved by both the state's independent redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court. The Colorado secretary of state's office certified…
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State Supreme Court vacancy count for August 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearings-in of justices from July 31 to Sept. 1, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During August 2026, three justices were sworn into office. Candidates nominated: During August 2026,…
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Nebraska joins Arizona, Colorado, and Washington as first states to vote on sex-based eligibility for school sports ballot measures in 2026
Nebraska voters will be deciding a constitutional amendment establishing sex-based eligibility requirements for school and college sports in the state. It will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. The campaign behind the initiative, Fairness for Girls, reported submitting 211,000 signatures on June 30, 2026. On Aug. 28, Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) reported…
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Federal judge temporarily blocks Ohio documentary proof of citizenship requirement
On Aug. 25, a federal judge temporarily blocked an Ohio law that requires individuals registering to vote at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to provide documentary proof of citizenship. Ohio is one of 12 states with laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, though it is the only one where the requirement applies…
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Delaware enacts eight election-related bills and advances five amendments in 2026 session
The Delaware General Assembly adjourned on June 30 after enacting eight election-related bills and advancing five constitutional amendments. Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed all eight bills in June, July, and August. Among those bills was HB 444, which established a state-level voting rights act. Delaware is one of three states, along with Maryland and New…
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First measure certified in California for 2028 makes changes to 1996 affirmative action ban
The California State Assembly took the final vote on Aug. 30 to send Assembly Constitutional Amendment 7 (ACA 7) to voters on Nov. 7, 2028. Currently, the state constitution prohibits racial discrimination and preferential treatment in public employment, public education, and public contracting. ACA 7 would narrow the affirmative action ban language so that within…
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Colorado mail ballot voter ID initiative becomes seventh voter ID measure certified for 2026—the most in a single year
Voters in Colorado will decide on an initiated constitutional amendment related to voter ID for mail-in ballots — the seventh measure to cover this topic in 2026, and the most to appear on statewide ballots in a single year. Initiative 362 The initiated constitutional amendment — known as Initiative 362 — would add a new…
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Fourteen states require periodic votes on a constitutional convention question, but officials disagree over who can call the vote in one state — Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) ordered a statewide vote on whether the legislature should call a constitutional convention. The Oklahoma Constitution requires the question to be submitted to voters at least once every 20 years, but it was last submitted in 1970. Stitt issued an executive proclamation on Aug. 25, scheduling the question for a…
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Laws in 12 states provide school boards with differing authority and powers depending on the type of district they represent
Most states either have only one type of school district or do not distinguish between powers and duties for different types of school boards. However, 12 states have different types of school districts with distinct powers and duties under state law. Boards with different authorities may have unique control over district taxing or financing, and…
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States introduced more than 500 bills preempting county land-use authority in 2025
In 2025, states introduced 511 bills that would preempt county authority over land use, including 138 bills that became law, according to the National Association of Counties (NACo). Lawmakers introduced these bills across 40 states and addressed housing, economic development, energy development, and other land-use policies. Preemption occurs when a higher level of government limits…