Tag: state constitutional amendment
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New Mexico lawmakers approve three pieces of election-related legislation in 2026 session
During New Mexico's 2026 regular legislative session that ended on Feb. 19, lawmakers adopted one election-related resolution and passed two election-related bills, both of which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed in March. Senate Joint Resolution 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to voters that would allow school elections to be held on the same dates…
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Reform California submits 1.3 million signatures for voter ID initiative
The organization Reform California announced on March 2 that it was submitting over 1.3 million signatures to county election officials for verification of an initiative that would require voter identification and a constitutional requirement for state and county election officials to verify citizenship of registered voters. The initiative would add a new section to the…
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Virginia will be the fifth state to vote on a constitutional amendment repealing same-sex marriage ban
In Virginia, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment on Nov. 3, 2026, to repeal the provision defining marriage as between one man and one woman. It would also add new language prohibiting the state from denying marriage licenses to two adults based on sex, gender, or race. The Virginia General Assembly voted in two…
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Colorado voters to decide on initiative requiring law enforcement to notify DHS when individuals charged with certain crimes lack verified legal immigration status
Voters in Colorado will decide on a constitutional amendment that would establish law enforcement reporting requirements based on the type of crime an individual is charged with, their prior criminal history, and their immigration status on Nov. 3, 2026. The measure—known as Initiative 95—would add a new section to Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution…
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Over the past two weeks, four constitutional amendments were certified in Virginia, and signatures were submitted for an initiative in Alaska
As of Jan. 21, 62 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 31 states, eight 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 next signature…
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Virginia General Assembly places constitutional amendments on same-sex marriage, abortion, voting rights following criminal convictions on the Nov. 2026 ballot
The Virginia General Assembly approved four constitutional amendments on Jan. 16 that will be placed on the 2026 ballot for voters to decide. The amendments address policies on abortion, voting rights for persons with criminal convictions, same-sex marriage, and congressional redistricting. This was the second time the amendments were approved by the Virginia General Assembly.…
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On Jan. 21, 1911, New Mexico ratified its state constitution
On this day, Jan. 21, 1911, New Mexico voters ratified the state constitution. One year later, on Jan. 6, 1912, New Mexico was admitted to the Union as the 47th state. This was the longest wait between territorial organization and statehood for any U.S. state. Congress established New Mexico as a U.S. territory in 1850,…
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On this date 114 years ago, California became the twelfth state to adopt the initiative and referendum process
On October 10, 1911, California became the twelfth state to establish an initiative and referendum process. On that date, California voters approved two constitutional amendments related to direct democracy. The first, Proposition 7, created the initiative and referendum process. It gave Californians the power to propose constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. The measure…
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Maine became the seventh state to approve initiative and referendum 117 years ago, on September 15
Voters in Maine approved a constitutional amendment establishing the state’s initiative and referendum process 117 years ago, on September 15. The vote was 53,785 (68.7%) to 24,543 (31.3%). Maine was the seventh state to adopt the initiative and referendum, and the first state east of the Mississippi River. The constitutional amendment provided for an indirect…
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California voters to decide Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment to allow for a new congressional district map, in a November special election
The California State Legislature passed a constitutional amendment, titled Proposition 50, to allow the state to use a new congressional district map for 2026 through 2030. Voters will decide on the measure in a special election on Nov. 4, 2025. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) proposed allowing the Legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts…