Tag: ballot initiatives
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Ballot measures certification update: Seven new measures for 2025 in CO and TX; six new measures certified in five states for 2026
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of May 13. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 15 statewide ballot measures have been certified in six states—Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is seven more than the average of eight…
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Texas voters in largest cities to decide 42 local ballot measures on May 3
Ballotpedia is covering 42 ballot measures in nine counties in Texas on May 3. All 42 ballot measures were referred to the ballot by a vote of a local governing board, such as a county board or city council. This is an increase in ballot measures compared to the previous even-year May election in Texas…
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Update on state ballot measures certifications — six measures certified for 2026, and Washington Legislature refers measure for Nov. 2025 ballot
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of April 15. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, seven statewide ballot measures have been certified in four states—Louisiana, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is one more than the average of six certified measures…
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North Dakota legislature refers amendment to 2026 ballot amending term limits for state legislators approved by voters in 2022
North Dakota voters will decide in Nov. 2026 whether or not to change term limits for state legislators. Under the amendment, legislators could serve four complete four-year terms (about 16 years) in the state legislature regardless of chamber. Partial terms would not count toward the limit. It would also repeal the provision of the 2022…
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Court strikes down Washington Initiative 2066, related to natural gas, as violating state’s single-subject rule; ruling will be appealed to state supreme court
Washington Initiative 2066, approved on Nov. 5, 2024, was struck down on March 21 as violating the state constitution’s single-subject rule. A single-subject rule is a state law that requires ballot initiatives to address a single subject, topic, or issue. Judge Sandra Widlan wrote, “… the body of the initiative is so broad and free…
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North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures since statehood
North Carolina’s first statewide ballot measure appeared in 1835. Since then, North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures placed on the ballot by the North Carolina State Legislature and constitutional conventions. A total of 147 measures were approved (72.8%) and 55 measures were defeated (27.2%). Constitutional amendments referred to the ballot by the…
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First ranked-choice voting ballot measure of 2025 to be decided in Skokie, Illinois, on April 1
Voters in Skokie, Illinois, will decide on a ballot initiative to adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections on April 1. This will be the first RCV-related ballot measure decided in 2025. Since 1915, there have been more than 150 ballot measures to adopt or repeal ranked-choice voting systems. Ashtabula, Ohio, was the first jurisdiction…
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Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: Seven new measures in four states for 2026
The number of certified ballot measures for 2025 and 2026 is trending above the average as of March 18, 2025. For 2025, six statewide ballot measures have been certified in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six is one more than the average of five for this point in an odd-numbered-year election cycle since 2010. For…
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Washington voters have decided on 510 ballot measures since statehood in 1889
Since Washington became the 42nd state in 1889, voters have decided on 510 ballot measures. The state adopted a process for citizen initiatives and referendums in 1912. Of the 510 measures, 268 measures were approved (52.5%), and 242 measures were defeated (47.5%). Washington provides initiated state statutes, including indirect initiated state statutes, and veto referendums.…
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Thirty states have adopted English as an official language, 11 through ballot measures since 1920
President Donald Trump (R) issued an executive order “[designating] English as the official language of the United States” on March 1, 2025. While the federal government had never before provided for an official national language, 30 states have designated English as their official language. Three—Alaska, Hawaii, and South Dakota—also recognize some indigenous languages as co-official…