Tag: ballot measure
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Texas voters to decide on amendment dedicating sales tax revenue to state water fund in November
Among the 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot for Texas voters this November is an amendment to dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, which voters authorized in 2023 with the passage of Proposition 6. It was approved with 77.7% of voters supporting it. The 2025 amendment, Proposition 4, would…
-
Ballot measure update: No new ballot measure certifications over the past two weeks, number certified still trending higher for 2025 and 2026
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of July 22. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, 29 statewide ballot measures have been certified in eight states—Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is four more than the…
-
On this date in 1933, Oregon voters repealed a tax on the sale of oleomargarine, the fourth veto referendum to repeal margarine laws in 13 years
Ninety-two years ago, on July 21, 1933, Oregon voters decided a veto referendum against legislation proposing a tax on the sale of oleomargarine. Voters repealed the tax. The contested legislation would have created a sales tax of four cents per pound on the sale of all oleomargarine, commonly known as margarine, sold in the state of…
-
Federal appeals court blocks enforcement of Maine’s Question 2, which barred election spending by corporations that are at least 5% foreign‑owned
In Maine, a federal appellate court upheld a district court’s injunction blocking enforcement of Question 2, which prohibited foreign governments and certain entities from contributing to ballot measure elections. Voters passed Question 2 in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Question 2 would be unconstitutional…
-
Missouri voters have decided 420 statewide ballot measures since 1908
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Missouri ballot measures since 1908. Between 1908 and 2024, Missouri voters decided 420 ballot measures. Of these, 195 (46.4%) were approved, and 225 (53.6%) were defeated. In Missouri, measures can be placed on the ballot through the state legislature, as well as through the citizen-initiated process. The citizen…
-
Missouri governor signs law repealing provisions of 2024 paid sick leave and minimum wage ballot initiative
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed House Bill 567 (HB 567) on July 10, repealing provisions of Proposition A, which voters approved in 2024. HB 567 repealed the paid sick leave requirements and the provision that tied future minimum wage increases to inflation. Proposition A is an initiated state statute that was approved by nearly…