Initiative and Referendum States
Updated May 2009
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Statutes
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Constitution
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State
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Initiative
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Popular Referendum
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Initiative
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Alaska
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I*
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Yes
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None
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Arizona
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D
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Yes
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D
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Arkansas
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D
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Yes
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D
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California
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D
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Yes
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D
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Colorado
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D
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Yes
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D
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Florida
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None
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No
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D
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Idaho
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D
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Yes
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None
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Illinois
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None
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No
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D
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Maine
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I
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Yes
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None
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Maryland
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None
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Yes
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None
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Massachusetts
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I
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Yes
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I
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Michigan
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I
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Yes
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D
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Mississippi
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None
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No
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I
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Missouri
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D
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Yes
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D
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Montana
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D
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Yes
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D
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Nebraska
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D
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Yes
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D
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Nevada
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I
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Yes
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D
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New Mexico
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None
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Yes
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None
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North Dakota
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D
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Yes
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D
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Ohio
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I
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Yes
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D
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Oklahoma
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D
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Yes
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D
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Oregon
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D
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Yes
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D
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South Dakota
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D
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Yes
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D
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Utah
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D & I
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Yes
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None
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Washington
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D & I
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Yes
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None
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Wyoming
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I*
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Yes
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None
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U.S. Virgin Islands
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I
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Yes
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I
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Initiative – a law or constitutional amendment introduced by citizens through a petition process either to the legislature or directly to the voters.
D – Direct Initiative; proposals that qualify go directly on the ballot
I – Indirect Initiative; proposals are submitted to the legislature, which has an opportunity to act on the proposed legislation. The initiative question will subsequently go on the ballot if the legislature rejects it, submits a different proposal or takes no action.
I* -- Alaska and Wyoming’s initiative processes are usually considered indirect. However, instead of requiring that an initiative be submitted to the legislature for action, they only require that an initiative cannot be placed on the ballot until after a legislative session has convened and adjourned.
Popular Referendum – a process by which voters may petition to demand a popular vote on a new law passed by the legislature.
For more information on Initiative and Referendum, contact Jennie Drage Bowser
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