Initiative and Referendum States

Updated February 2008

Statutes

Constitution

State

Initiative

Popular Referendum

Initiative

Alaska

I^*

Yes

None

Arizona

D

Yes

D

Arkansas

D

Yes

D

California

D

Yes

D

Colorado

D

Yes

D

Florida

None

No

D

Idaho

D

Yes

None

Illinois

None

No

D

Kentucky

None

Yes

None

Maine

I

Yes

None

Maryland

None

Yes

None

Massachusetts

I

Yes

I

Michigan

I

Yes

D

Mississippi

None

No

I

Missouri

D

Yes

D

Montana

D

Yes

D

Nebraska

D

Yes

D

Nevada

I

Yes

D

New Mexico

None

Yes

None

North Dakota

D

Yes

D

Ohio

I

Yes

D

Oklahoma

D

Yes

D

Oregon

D

Yes

D

South Dakota

D

Yes

D

Utah

D & I

Yes

None

Washington

D & I

Yes

None

Wyoming

I^*

Yes

None

US Virgin Is.

I

Yes

I

Initiative – a law and/or constitutional amendment introduced by the citizens 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. Depending on the state, the initiative question may 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.

Referendum – a process by which voters may express their judgment on statutes and/or constitutional amendments enacted by the legislature.

For more information on Initiatives and Referendums - contact Jennie Drage Bowser