Tag: State Legislature
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States enact the most new extreme risk protection order laws since 2020
So far this year, two states, Michigan and Minnesota, have enacted extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs). They became the first states to enact new ERPOs since New Mexico and Virginia did so in 2020. The new laws in Michigan and Minnesota raise the total number of states with ERPOs to 21. ERPOs are also commonly…
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Washington and Wisconsin enact laws limiting advisory questions on ballots
Washington and Wisconsin passed bills during their 2023 legislative sessions that limited non-binding questions, also known as advisory questions or advisory votes, on election ballots. These two bills are among 349 legislative proposals introduced in 2023 that concern topics related to direct democracy, including ballot measures, initiatives, veto referendums, referrals, local ballot measures, and recall…
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North Carolina governor vetoes state bill opposing ESG
Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat and ESG supporter, on June 23 vetoed a bill banning the use of ESG in state investments. The bill previously passed the state House on May 3 and the state Senate on June 13. The bill now heads back to the legislature, which is expected to have the votes to…
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Louisiana Republicans continue to see more term-limited legislators than Democrats
For the third consecutive election cycle, Republican state legislators in Louisiana have more term-limited members than Democrats. In 2023, Republicans have 16 term-limited lawmakers, whereas Democrats have six. Louisiana is the only state holding elections for a term-limited legislature in 2023. Out of the 144 seats up for election in the Louisiana State Legislature this…
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Six legislative referrals on statewide ballots in 2023 received unanimous support from both parties, an increase from 2021 and 2019 sessions
Twenty-nine (29) legislative referrals were certified for statewide ballots in 2023 as of Jun. 15. Of that total, six received unanimous support from both parties; six received unanimous support from only Republicans; and 10 received unanimous support from only Democrats, which is higher than 2021 (4) and 2019 (5). One measure in New York—where legislative…
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At least 28 state legislators have been expelled since 2000
Last month, three elected officials were expelled from state legislatures: Reps. Liz Harris (R-Ariz.), Justin Jones (D-Tenn.), and Justin Pearson (D-Tenn.). Local officials later re-appointed Jones and Pearson to their seats. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Julie Willoughby (R) to Harris’ seat on May 5. In order to determine how often lawmakers are…
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More absentee ballot drop box legislation introduced in 2023 than 2022
State legislators have introduced more legislation regulating the availability and security of absentee ballot drop boxes this year than in 2022. Legislators have introduced 34 bills related to ballot drop boxes in 2023. Three (9%) of these bills have become law. At this point in 2022, legislators had introduced 26 bills, and two (8%) had…
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Election legislation roundup: Wisconsin State Senate
As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked nine election-related bills in the Wisconsin State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the nine, Ballotpedia tracked three from May 15-21. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored two bills, while Republicans sponsored one. The three bills are below: WI SB278: Aids to counties and municipalities for…
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Wisconsin Assembly passes unemployment insurance indexing bill
Wisconsin lawmakers on April 25 passed several bills related to unemployment insurance, including one that would index the length of unemployment insurance benefits to the state’s unemployment rate. Assembly Bill 153 would reduce the maximum number of benefit weeks to 14 during times when the unemployment rate is at or below 3.5%. The bill also…
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Newcomers will represent at least 32% of Virginia’s state legislative districts next year
Forty-five state legislative districts holding elections in Virginia this year are open, meaning no incumbents filed to run. This represents 32% of the state’s General Assembly, a decade-high rate of open districts, and a marked increase from previous election cycles. Newcomers are guaranteed to win all open districts since no incumbents are running for them. This…