Tag: ballot measure
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Campaign behind two online sports betting initiatives submitted signatures in Nebraska
Tax Relief Nebraska, the committee behind two ballot initiatives that would legalize online sports betting in the state, filed signatures with the secretary of state on June 26. One initiative is an amendment that would authorize laws governing online sports betting. The second is an initiated state statute that would authorize the state gaming commission…
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All six criminal justice ballot measures in 2026 continue trend toward increasing criminal penalties and bail restrictions
In 2026, voters will decide six ballot measures related to criminal sentencing, penalties, and bail requirements. Each would make criminal justice policy more punitive by increasing penalties or expanding the circumstances under which courts could deny or restrict bail. Four of the measures concern bail policy. Voters in Alabama approved Amendment 1 on May 19,…
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Two California tax initiatives targeting personal asset taxes and special tax rules qualify for the ballot in challenge to billionaires’ tax initiative
California voters will likely be voting on a slate of competing tax measures in November. The secretary of state reported that two ballot initiatives designed to challenge provisions of the proposed billionaires’ tax initiative qualified for the ballot on June 24. The initiatives are constitutional amendments that would: The billionaires' tax is sponsored by SEIU-UHW…
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Colorado voters to decide initiative requiring vehicle and fuel tax revenue to fund roads
Voters in Colorado will decide on a ballot measure that would require vehicle-related and fuel tax revenue to be used for road transportation on Nov. 3, 2026. Initiative 175 The measure — known as Initiative 175 — would add a new section to Article X of the Colorado Constitution to require the state and local…
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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,…