Tag: ballot measures
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Two ballot initiatives certified for 2025—lowest since 2019
Sponsors filed 109 ballot initiatives in three states for 2025 statewide ballots with two ultimately certified in Maine—tying 2019 with the fewest number of ballot initiatives certified since at least 2011. In 2019, sponsors filed 107 ballot initiatives, the fewest number filed between 2011 and 2025. The average number filed for odd-numbered election years was…
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Ballot measure update: No new 2025 or 2026 ballot measure certifications in July or first week of August
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2025 is 29, which, as of August 5, is equal to the average for this point in the election cycle compared to previous years (2011-2023). For 2026, the number of certified ballot measures is 55, which is 10 above the average. 2025 ballot measures By late May…
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On sixth attempt, Maine voters approved ballot measure for separation from Massachusetts on July 26, 1819 — 206 years ago
Before Maine became the 23rd state on March 15, 1820, voters weighed in on six ballot measures over three decades regarding separation from Massachusetts. And the final ballot measure, voted upon 206 years ago on July 26, 1819, was approved 70.6% 'Yes' to 29.4% 'No.' After the American Revolution, Maine was part of the Commonwealth…
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Utah voters have decided 220 ballot measures since 1895, beginning with constitution ratification ahead of statehood
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Utah ballot measures dating back to 1895, when voters approved the state constitution. Between 1895 and 2024, Utahns voted on 220 ballot measures—140 (63.6%) were approved and 80 (36.4%) were defeated. This count includes the ratification of the state constitution by voters in 1895, two months before the United States…
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Maine voters to decide two citizen-initiated ballot measures in Nov. 2025 election, including voter ID and extreme risk protection orders
The Maine State Legislature adjourned on June 25, meaning voters will decide two indirect initiated state statutes at the election on Nov. 4, 2025. Signatures were submitted for two ballot initiatives in Jan. 2025—the Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Dropbox Rules Initiative and Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and…
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Voters in Huntington Beach, California, to decide initiatives on children’s library book review board and library ownership on June 10
Voters in Huntington Beach, California, will decide on two ballot initiatives—Measure A and Measure B—concerning the city's libraries on June 10, 2025. The initiatives require a simple majority vote to pass. To qualify for the ballot, supporters needed to collect signatures from 10% of the city’s registered voters for each initiative. Measure A would repeal…
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One hundred years after Pierce v. Society of Sisters, ballot measures continue to shape school choice policy
One hundred years ago, on June 1, 1925, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, striking down a voter-approved ballot initiative, Oregon Measure Nos. 314-315, which required children to attend public schools. The Court held that "the child is not the mere creature of the State" and "the fundamental…
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Oklahoma State Legislature advances bill to change process of initiated ballot measures
The Oklahoma House of Representatives again advanced Senate Bill 1027 (SB 1027), a measure that would change the process of placing citizen-initiated amendments and laws on the ballot. SB 1027, which would take effect immediately after its passing, would make three changes to the initiative process in Oklahoma. First, it would implement a distribution requirement…
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Iowa General Assembly adjourns the first year of the two-year legislative session, addresses two potential constitutional amendments
The Iowa General Assembly adjourned on May 1, ending the first year of the two-year legislative session. During this legislative session, legislators addressed two constitutional amendments that may be placed on the ballot for voters to decide in 2026 and 2028. Senate Joint Resolution 11 (2025) First, the Iowa State Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution…
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Ballot measures certification update: First Texas 2025 amendment certified; five new 2026 measures in AR, ND, and TN
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of April 29. 2025 ballot measures For 2025, eight statewide ballot measures have been certified in five states—Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is two more than the average of six certified…