Tag: ballot measure
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California billionaire’s tax qualifies for the November ballot; competing measures pending signature verification
California voters are set to decide on a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of the state’s billionaires in November. The secretary of state reported on June 17 that at least 980,438 of the more than 1.6 million signatures filed were valid, qualifying the ballot initiative. The SEIU-UHW is sponsoring the initiative. The tax…
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New York voters have decided on 430 statewide measures since 1821: a look at the state ballot measure history
Since 1821, New York voters have decided on 430 statewide ballot measures. Of those, 316 (73%) were approved, and 114 (27%) were defeated. In New York, the state legislature can refer measures to the ballot. Citizens of New York do not have the power to initiate statewide ballot measures. Ballot measures can also take the…
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Campaign behind Montana ballot initiative to add nonpartisan judicial elections to the state constitution submits signatures for November
Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts filed signatures for a ballot initiative that would add a section to the Montana Constitution stating that “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan.” Montana has used nonpartisan judicial elections since 1936. If the amendment is approved by voters in November, making judicial elections partisan would require another voter-approved constitutional amendment to enact.…
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Over the past two weeks, four new ballot measures were certified in three states
As of June 9, 121 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 37 states, 13 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: The most recent…
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Iowa becomes the 25th state to ban foreign contributions to ballot measure committees
On June 2, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed legislation, HF 2601, which prohibits foreign contributions in ballot measure elections. Iowa previously had a ban on foreign funding for candidate elections, but no such prohibition on foreign contributions to ballot measure committees. Iowa is now the 25th state to ban foreign nationals or governments from…
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Montana voters have decided on 266 ballot measures since statehood in 1889
Between 1889, when Montana became a state, and 2025, Montana voters decided on 266 ballot measures. Of those, 165 (62%) were approved, and 101 (38%) were defeated. The Montana State Legislature voted to refer 163 ballot measures to the state ballot between 1889 and 2025, while 99 citizen initiatives were on the statewide ballot. Additionally,…
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Campaign behind initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submits required number of signatures
The campaign behind a ballot initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submitted over 120,000 signatures as of May 20. The initiative, referred to by the sponsors as the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, would amend Chapter 167 of the Oregon Revised Statutes to…
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Twenty-one states set at least one requirement on ballot initiative petition circulators
In states across the country, groups are gathering signatures to place initiatives or referendums on the 2026 ballot. Of the 26 states that allow citizen initiatives, 21 have at least one law setting requirements for petition circulators. Six states have laws requiring signature gatherers to be state residents. Nine states have laws directly or indirectly…
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SEIU-UHW sponsored initiative that would set spending requirement on patient care for health clinics qualifies for ballot in California
A ballot initiative to require nonprofit federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes to spend at least 90% of their annual total revenue on expenses that advance the health center's mission qualified for the general election in California. The initiative defines the spending requirement as a mission spend ratio. A FQHC is defined in…
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Colorado legislature refers measure to November ballot that would allow state to retain excess tax revenue above TABOR cap to fund K-12 education
The Colorado General Assembly referred a state statute to the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot that would allow the state to retain and spend revenue collected above constitutional limits to fund K-12 education programs and operating costs. Legislators passed the statute on May 12, 2026. Senate Bill 135 Introduced as Senate Bill 135 (SB 135) on…