Tag: ballot initiatives
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Signature validity for 2025 Maine initiatives was 93.0%, surpassing the 2017-2025 state average of 88.4%
Two citizen-initiated ballot measures will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot in Maine—Question 1 and Question 2. Proponents of a ballot initiative collect petition signatures from a certain minimum number of registered voters in a state. For 2025, the average signature validity rate was 93.0%. Sponsors of Question 1 submitted 4,410 petition forms containing…
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On this date 114 years ago, California became the twelfth state to adopt the initiative and referendum process
On October 10, 1911, California became the twelfth state to establish an initiative and referendum process. On that date, California voters approved two constitutional amendments related to direct democracy. The first, Proposition 7, created the initiative and referendum process. It gave Californians the power to propose constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. The measure…
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Proponents file recreational marijuana initiative in Nebraska for 2026 ballot—the fifth initiative attempt since 2018
An initiative to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish a “right to use all plants in the genus Cannabis” for individuals 21 years of age or older was filed on Aug. 18. This is the fifth initiative filed to effectively legalize recreational marijuana since 2018. None has ever submitted enough valid signatures to qualify for…
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Democratic and Republican trifecta states have each averaged 19 ballot initiatives since 2010
Democratic and Republican trifectas each averaged 19 ballot initiatives for even-numbered year elections between 2010 and 2024. States with divided governments averaged 15 initiatives. Twenty-six (26) states provide for a statewide ballot initiative process, where citizens place constitutional amendments, statutes, or veto referendums on the ballot. Following the 2024 elections, 22 of the 26 states…
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State lawmakers enacted 72 bills on ballot measures and direct democracy in 2025, the highest total since at least 2017
States have enacted 72 bills and resolutions concerning the three powers of direct democracy in the U.S.—the ballot initiative, referendum, and recall election—in 2025 through Aug. 8. The average number of bills and resolutions enacted per year from 2018 to 2024 was 35. While most bills are adopted during the first half of the year…
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Two ballot initiatives certified for 2025—lowest since 2019
Sponsors filed 109 ballot initiatives in three states for 2025 statewide ballots with two ultimately certified in Maine—tying 2019 with the fewest number of ballot initiatives certified since at least 2011. In 2019, sponsors filed 107 ballot initiatives, the fewest number filed between 2011 and 2025. The average number filed for odd-numbered election years was…
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Missouri governor signs law repealing provisions of 2024 paid sick leave and minimum wage ballot initiative
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed House Bill 567 (HB 567) on July 10, repealing provisions of Proposition A, which voters approved in 2024. HB 567 repealed the paid sick leave requirements and the provision that tied future minimum wage increases to inflation. Proposition A is an initiated state statute that was approved by nearly…
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Michigan voters have decided 319 ballot measures since 1880
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Michigan ballot measures since 1880. Between 1880 and 2024, Michigan voters decided on 319 ballot measures. Of these, 165 measures (51.7%) were approved and 154 (48.3%) were defeated. In Michigan, measures can be placed on the ballot through the state legislature, as well as through the citizen-initiated process. The…
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Nevada voters to decide on 2026 ballot initiative allowing public school teacher strikes
Nevada voters will decide on a ballot initiative in 2026 to exempt school teachers and certain other school employees from the state law prohibiting public employee strikes. The initiative, if approved by voters, would change Nevada state law to allow public school teachers, and other education personnel, to strike. In 1969, Nevada passed legislation making…
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Federal judge declares Oregon cannabis union law unconstitutional, overturning the 2024 ballot measure
Oregon Measure 119, which was approved by voters in November 2024, was overturned by a federal judge on May 20, 2025. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued an opinion holding that the ballot measure violates the U.S. Constitution and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by limiting employers’ right to free speech. Measure 119, which…