Tag: ballot measure
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Citizen-initiated ballot measures have different signature deadlines in each state; here’s what they are for 2026
Twenty-six states permit citizen-initiated ballot measures, with each state setting its own rules for signature collection and filing deadlines. In Nevada, where the citizens can collect signatures for indirect initiated state statutes that require the state legislature to first consider the proposal before it heads to voters, the deadline was Nov. 20, 2024. One indirect…
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Massachusetts attorney general approves 44 initiatives to gather signatures for the 2026 and 2028 ballots
The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General announced on Sept. 3 that 44 separate initiative petitions have been approved to begin gathering signatures in support of the proposed laws. The attorney general’s approval to gather signatures does not indicate support for the initiatives or a guarantee that the initiative will be placed on the ballot.…
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This week, 166 years ago, voters in southern California approved a measure to separate from the state and form a new territory
Dividing California into two or more states has been discussed several times in recent years—State of Jefferson, Six Californias, Cal 3, and now a two-state proposal from Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-3). While there have been attempts at statewide ballot measures to divide California, the legislature referred just one to the ballot: the Pico…
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Voters in 18 states have decided 41 death penalty ballot measures since 1912, approving 91% of measures to permit or expand it and 27% of measures to abolish it
Since 1912, voters in 18 states have decided 41 total ballot measures related to the death penalty. Measures that would permit the death penalty were more common than measures that would abolish it. Out of the 41 measures, 11 were designed to abolish the death penalty, while 22 measures proposed reinstating, permitting, or requiring the…
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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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Alaska’s ballot measure history: 220 statewide measures decided by voters
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Alaska ballot measures since 1956—the year voters ratified the state constitution and three years before Alaska gained statehood. Since 1956, voters have decided 220 ballot measures. Of those, 158 (72%) were approved and 62 (28%) were defeated. In Alaska, most measures are placed on the ballot either through…
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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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Initiative sponsors in Massachusetts filed a total of 47 measures by the Aug. 6 deadline, the second most since 2012
In Massachusetts, the initiative filing deadline for the 2026 ballot was Aug. 6. Initiative sponsors filed 47 measures (42 initiated state statutes and five initiated constitutional amendments) by the deadline. The 42 initiated state statutes could be placed on the 2026 ballot. Constitutional amendments require a longer approval process, meaning the five initiated constitutional amendments…
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Massachusetts voters have decided on 231 ballot measures since 1910
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Massachusetts ballot measures dating back to 1910. Massachusetts voters have voted on 231 ballot measures between 1910 and 2024. Of those, 161 (70%) were approved and 70 (30%) were defeated. In Massachusetts, citizens have the power to indirectly initiate state statutes, veto referendums, and constitutional amendments. While a direct…
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Washington D.C. council amends Initiative 82 to cap tipped wage at 75% of full minimum wage by 2034
D.C. voters approved Initiative 82 in 2022, voting to gradually increase the tipped minimum wage from $5.35 in 2022 by $2 annually to match the minimum wage of non-tipped employees in 2027. It was approved by a margin of 74% to 26%. On July 28, the D.C. Council voted to amend the measure as part…