Tag: ballot measure
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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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Maine voters could decide on establishing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), a type of firearms regulation, in Nov. 2025
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced on March 7, 2025, that the signatures for a ballot initiative to create a process for extreme risk protection orders, a firearm regulation policy, were validated, certifying the initiative to the legislature. If the legislature does not approve the measure, it will be placed on the ballot…
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Update on 2025 and 2026 ballot measure certifications: South Dakota certifies amendment to condition Medicaid expansion on federal funding
The number of certified ballot measures for 2025 and 2026 is trending above the average as of March 5, 2025. For 2025, six statewide ballot measures have been certified in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Six is one measure more than the average of five for this point in an odd-numbered-year election cycle since 2010.…
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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…
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Ohio voters have decided on 306 state ballot measures since 1910; the 307th is scheduled for May 6, 2025
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Ohio ballot measures since 1910. Between 1910 and 2024, Ohioans voted on 306 ballot measures. Voters approved 169 measures (55.2%) and rejected 137 measures (44.8%). In Ohio, measures can be placed on the ballot through the state legislature as well as through citizen initiatives. Between 1910 and 2024, the…
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Maine initiative on voter ID, absentee ballots, and dropboxes certified to legislature; will appear on the November 2025 ballot unless lawmakers enact it
In Maine, signatures for a citizen initiative to require photo voter identification, among other changes, were verified on Feb. 19, 2025. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced that the campaign submitted 86,904 valid signatures. A minimum of 67,682 valid signatures was required. The proposed initiative will now go to the state legislature for consideration.…