Tag: ballot measures
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New laws related to ranked-choice voting and youth voting among six new approved election bills in Colorado
Colorado lawmakers adopted six election-related bills during the 2024 regular session of the Colorado General Assembly. Included among the approved legislation was an omnibus bill that changed a number of areas of election law and created new requirements related to the adoption of ranked-choice voting (RCV), as well as bills related to voting in detention centers,…
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More states banned ranked-choice voting in 2024 than any other year
Five states–Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma–passed laws banning the use of RCV in 2024, more than in any other year. No state had a law prohibiting the use of RCV before 2022 when Florida and Tennessee became the first states to adopt bans. Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota joined them in 2023. Republicans controlled the legislature in all…
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Update on 2024 state ballot measure certifications: Eight new measures in the past two weeks
For 2024, 118 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 35 states, six more measures than the average (112) for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. Here’s an update on the…
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North Dakota becomes the first state to set age limits for congressional representatives after voters approve Measure 1
Voters in North Dakota approved Measure 1, a ballot initiative establishing an age limit for congressional candidates, at the election on June 11. The vote was 60.88%-39.12%, and turnout was 20.11%. Specifically, Measure 1 is designed to prohibit anyone from being elected or appointed to the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives if he or…
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Voters in 12 states may decide on abortion in 2024, including four states where abortion is confirmed on the ballot—CO, FL, MD, and SD
Voters in 12 states could vote on abortion-related measures in Nov. 2024. Ballot measures are certified in four states—Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and South Dakota. Signatures are pending verification in two states—Missouri and Nevada. Measures have also been proposed in six other states. This report provides the most recent updates on abortion-related ballot measure certifications and…
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Update on 2024 ballot measure certifications: New measures in five states
For 2024, 110 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 35 states, five more measures than the average (105) for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. Here’s an update on the…
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Supreme Court and FEC distinguish campaign finance regulations for ballot measures from candidate elections, including for foreign spending
Campaign finance rules for ballot measures differ from those for candidate elections. “Referenda are held on issues, not candidates for public office,” wrote the U.S. Supreme Court in 1978 (First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti). The court has held that spending on ballot measure campaigns is similar to issue advocacy in the lawmaking process.…
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Louisiana state legislature refers two constitutional amendments to Dec. 7 ballot related to state legislative processes
The Louisiana State Legislature referred two constitutional amendments to the ballot that voters will decide on Dec. 7. Rep. Tony Bacala (R-59) sponsored both amendments, House Bill 48 and House Bill 49, in the State House. House Bill 48, passed unanimously by the legislature, would add a 48-hour waiting period before a concurrence vote on…
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FEC ruling allows federal candidates to raise unlimited funds for ballot measure campaigns
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) released an opinion on May 1 determining that federal officeholders and candidates are allowed to solicit funds for ballot measure committees without regard to the amount limitations and source restrictions in the Federal Election Campaign Act. Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, sponsors of an initiative that would create a state constitutional…
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Update on 2024 ballot measure certifications
For 2024, 88 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 33 states, one more measure than the average (87) for this point in the election cycle from 2012 to 2022. The average number of statewide ballot measures certified for an even-numbered year during this period was 157. Here’s an update on the…