
There are nine states that authorize indirect initiatives, either statutes or constitutional amendments, where citizen-proposed ballot measures are first presented to state legislatures. Between 2018 and 2025, 40 indirect initiatives were certified to state legislatures. Ten were approved by state legislatures, while 17 were approved and 13 were rejected by voters. For the 2026 ballot,…

On Feb. 23, 2026, Democrats in the Colorado House of Representatives introduced HB 26-1292, which would establish requirements for schools that receive funds under the federal school choice tax credit scholarship program. As of March 17, Colorado and Virginia are the only states with a Democratic trifectas that have elected to participate in the program.…

This November, West Virginia voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would provide that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections. The amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 9 (SJR 9), was referred to the ballot by the West Virginia State Legislature, with the House voting 97-0 on March 13, and the Senate voting 34-0 on…

New Mexico voters will decide three bond measures totaling $280 million—related to funding senior citizen facilities, library acquisitions, and educational institutions—on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. The bonds were referred to the ballot through House Bill 248, which passed the New Mexico State Legislature with unanimous support. It passed the House on Feb. 15, by…

As of Feb. 4, 65 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 32 states, eight more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: One constitutional amendment,…

Voters in Colorado will decide on a constitutional amendment that would establish law enforcement reporting requirements based on the type of crime an individual is charged with, their prior criminal history, and their immigration status on Nov. 3, 2026. The measure—known as Initiative 95—would add a new section to Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution…

California voters could be the first in the nation to decide on ballot initiatives regulating artificial intelligence in 2026. Five proposed initiatives to regulate AI and its developers have been filed with the attorney general and are awaiting ballot titles before signature gathering can begin. Jim Steyer, the chief executive officer of Common Sense Media,…

In Missouri, signatures were filed for a veto referendum against the state's new congressional districts map. On Dec. 9, the campaign People Not Politicians reported filing more than 300,000 signatures. The targeted legislation, House Bill 1 (HB 1), redraws the state's eight congressional districts. HB 1 divides Kansas City, Missouri, between three congressional districts. As…

Voters in up to six states could decide on ballot measures establishing or changing vote requirements for initiatives and amendments in 2026. Five states have already certified their respective measures for the ballot, and one is a proposed legislative referral that requires additional votes for certification. Measures certified for the ballot Five states have ballot…

Voters in North Carolina and Nevada will decide constitutional amendments on Nov. 3, 2026, that would require voters to present identification to cast a ballot. An additional ballot initiative, in California, is also proposed for next year. In North Carolina, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would apply the photo identification requirement to…