Ballot Measures
- States with ballot measures
- N/A
Click on the colored states to learn about the ballot measures pending in this particular state.
Alabama
Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement for Voting
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 2: Judicial System Restructuring Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 3: Judicial Vacancies Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 4: Authority to Recompile the State Constitutions
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 5: "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Franklin County Churches
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 6: "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Lauderdale County Churches
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Alaska
Ballot Measure 1: North Slope Oil Production Taxes
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Ballot Measure 2: Ranked Choice Voting and Campaign Finances Disclosures
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Arizona
Proposition 207: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 208: Tax on Incomes Exceeding $250,000 for Teacher Salaries and Schools Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Arkansas
Issue 1: Sales Tax Continuation for Highway System
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Issue 2: Term Limits Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Issue 3: Amendment to the Process for the Submission, Challenge, and Approval of Proposed Initiated Acts, Constitutional Amendments, and Referenda
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Issue 6: Practice of Optometry Referendum*
Type: Popular Referendum | Change: Statutory
*This measure will appear on the ballot, but the results will not be counted.
California
Proposition 14: Stem Cell Research Institute Bond Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 15: Schools and Local Communities Funding Act
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 17: Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 18: Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 20: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 21: The Rental Affordability Act
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 22: App-Based Drivers Regulations Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 23: Regulation of Kidney Dialysis
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 24: Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 25: Overturn a 2018 Law that Replaced Money Bail System with a System Based on Public Safety Risk
Type: Popular Referendum | Change: Statutory
Colorado
Amendment 76: Citizenship Qualification of Electors
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 77: Local Voter Approval of Gaming Limits in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional and Statutory
Amendment B: Repeal Property Tax Assessment Rates
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment C: Charitable Bingo and Raffles Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Proposition 113: National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum
Type: Popular Referendum | Change: Statutory
Proposition 114: Restoration of Grey Wolves
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 115: Prohibition of Late-Term Abortions
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 116: State Income Tax Rate Reduction
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 117: Voter Approval Requirement for Creation of Certain Fee-Based Enterprises
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition 118: Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Proposition EE: Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products Tax
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
District of Columbia
Initiative 81: Entheogenic Plants and Fungus Measure
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Other
Florida
Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 2: Raising Florida's Minimum Wage
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Exemption
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 6: Homestead Property Tax Discount
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Georgia
Amendment 1: Dedicating Tax and Fee Revenue Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 2: Allow Residents to Seek Declaratory Relief from Certain Laws Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
HB 344: Tax Exemption for Certain Charities Measure
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Idaho
Require 35 Legislative Districts Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Illinois
Constitutional Amendment No. 1: Limitations on Income Tax
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Iowa
State Question 1: Constitutional Convention Question
Type: Automatic Referral | Change: Other
Kentucky
Marsy's Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Terms of Judicial Offices Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Louisiana
Amendment 1: No Right to Abortion
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 2: Oil and Gas Wells Valuation Methodology
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 3: Use of Budget Stabilization Fund for Declared Disasters Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 4: State Expenditure Limit Calculation
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 5: Payments in Lieu of Property Taxes Option Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 6: Homestead Exemption Special Assessment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 7: Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Maryland
Question 1: Legislative Authority over State Budget Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Question 2: Sports Betting Expansion Measure
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Massachusetts
Question 1: Right to Repair" Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Question 2: Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Michigan
SJR G: Search Warrant for Electronic Data Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
SJR O: State and Local Park Funds
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Mississippi
Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A: Medical Marijuana Amendment
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
HCR 47: Remove Electoral Vote Requirement and Establish Runoffs for Gubernatorial and State Office Elections
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
HB 1796: State Flag Referendum
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Missouri
Amendment 1: State Executive Term Limits
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 3: Missouri Redistricting Process and Criteria, Lobbying, and Campaign Finance Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Montana
Ballot Issue #11: Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Ballot Issue #14: Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
C-46: Initiative Petition Signatures in Legislative Districts
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
C-47: Initiative Petition Signatures in Representative Districts
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
LR-130: Concealed Carry Laws
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Nebraska
Amendment 1: Elimination of Slavery as a Punishment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment 2: Tax-Increment Financing
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Initiative 428: Payday Lender Interest Rate Cap Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Initiative 429: Authorize Laws for Gambling at Racetracks
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Initiative 430: Authorizing Gambling at Racetracks
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Initiative 431: Tax on Gambling at Racetracks
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Nevada
Question 1: Higher Education Reform, Accountability, and Oversight
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Question 2: Recognition of Marriage Regardless of Gender
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Question 3: State Board of Pardons Commissioners
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Question 4: Constitutional Rights of Voters
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Question 6: Renewable Energy Promotion Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
New Jersey
Public Question 1: Marijuana Legalization
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Public Question 2: Property Tax Deduction and Exemption for Peacetime Veterans
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Public Question 3: Delayed State Legislative Redistricting Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
New Mexico
Elections and Terms of Non-Statewide Officeholders Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Public Regulation Commission
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Public Education Bond Issue
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Other
Public Libraries Bond Issue
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Other
Senior Citizens Facilities Bond Issue
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Other
North Dakota
Board of Higher Education
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Initiated Constitutional Amendments
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Oklahoma
Question 805: Criminal History in Sentencing and Sentence Modification Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Question 814: Decrease Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund Deposits and Fund Medicaid Program Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Oregon
Measure 107: Campaign Financing
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Measure 108: Cigarette Tax Increase
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Measure 109: Psilocybin Program Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Measure 110: Drug Addiction Treatment Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Rhode Island
Name Change Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
South Dakota
Constitutional Amendment A: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Constitutional
Constitutional Amendment B: Local Sports Betting
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Initiated Measure 26: Medical Marijuana Initiative
Type: Citizen Initiative | Change: Statutory
Utah
Amendment A: Gender Neutral Terminology Update
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment B: Legislator Qualifications
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment C: Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Prohibition
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment D: Municipal Water Rights and Water Supply
Type: Legislative Referral |Change: Constitutional
Amendment E: Right to Hunt and Fish
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment F: Legislative Session Start Date Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Amendment G: Use Income and Property Tax Revenue to Support Children and Individuals with Disabilities Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Virginia
Redistricting Commission Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Washington
Referendum 90: Sex Education in Public Schools Measure
Type: Popular Referendum | Change: Statutory
SJR 8212: Authorize Fund Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Account Amendment
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Advisory Vote 32: Advisory Vote on SB 5323
Type: Advisory | Change: N/A
Advisory Vote 33: Advisory Vote on SB 5628
Type: Advisory | Change: N/A
Advisory Vote 34: Advisory Vote on SB 6492
Type: Advisory | Change: N/A
Advisory Vote 35: Advisory Vote on SB 6690
Type: Advisory | Change: N/A
Wyoming
Amendment A: Debt Limit for Municipal Sewer Projects
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Constitutional
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Statehood
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
Virgin Islands
Constitutional Convention Question
Type: Legislative Referral | Change: Statutory
General Election 2020 Ballot Measures
As of Nov. 11, voters across the country approved at least 87 of 124 ballot measures on Election Day. Earlier in the year, voters decided eight additional measures during the primaries—most notably, Missourians and Oklahomans both opted to expand Medicaid.
Measures get on the ballot in one of two ways: Through a citizen initiative—where citizens have an idea for a statutory or constitutional change and gather signatures to place it on the ballot—or through a referral to the ballot from the legislature.
Thirty-eight of the general election measures were citizen initiatives, a significant decrease from 60 citizen initiatives in 2018 and 72 in 2016—due in large part to COVID-19 and public safety measures that made in-person signature gathering nearly impossible. Voters passed at least 25 of the citizen initiatives, and that number will likely inch upward as the counts are finalized. The rest of the measures were referred to the ballot by the legislature, and 60 have passed.
Seventy-nine of the measures sought to make constitutional changes. Thirty-four proposed statutory changes (one approved Colorado measure actually makes both constitutional and statutory changes), and the other 12 include four popular referenda, four non-binding advisory questions, three bond issues and Iowa’s automatic decennial question asking if voters want to hold a constitutional convention—to which they said “no thank you.”
Marijuana and Other Drugs
The night’s biggest trend? Every marijuana and drug measure passed. Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota approved the legalization of recreational marijuana, while voters in Mississippi and South Dakota approved medical marijuana programs. Washington, D.C., voters decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi, including psilocybin. Oregonians decriminalized small amounts of certain controlled substances, such as heroin and cocaine, and the Beaver State also legalized psilocybin—becoming the first state ever to do so.
Health
Health topics—including medical marijuana—were big on ballots this year. Voters decided to approve taxes on tobacco and vapor products in Colorado and Oregon. Coloradans also approved a citizen initiative establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program—the first state in the nation to do so through a ballot measure. Washington passed Referendum 90, which upheld the legislature’s bill requiring public schools to provide comprehensive sex education for all students. Californians rejected a citizen initiative to establish certain requirements for kidney dialysis clinics. And a ballot measure staple, abortion, split with voters. Louisianans passed abortion restrictions, while Coloradans rejected them.
Elections
Measures requiring that only a citizen can vote passed in Alabama, Colorado and Florida. Federal law already stipulates that voters must be citizens, so these measures likely won’t have any major effects—except in Colorado. There, the change may mean that 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the time of the general election will no longer be able to cast ballots in the state’s primaries. Other election reforms have fared less well. Floridians rejected a citizen initiative that would have established a top-two primary and open primary system. Ranked-choice voting failed in Massachusetts and has yet to be decided in Alaska. California voters rejected a legislative referral that would have allowed 17-year-olds to vote in primaries, though voters in the Golden State did opt for felon voting rights reform by passing Proposition 17, which automatically restores voting rights after incarceration. And Coloradans supported the legislature’s decision to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Redistricting
With redistricting right around the corner, measures to alter the process passed in Missouri, New Jersey and Virginia. In Missouri, voters reversed their 2018 decision to use a state demographer as the primary map drawer. Old Dominion voters adopted a redistricting commission, and that change means that the majority of states will now have a commission of some kind, though some are merely advisory, or only come into being if the legislature fails to pass maps.
Civil and Criminal Justice
California voters rejected stricter parole and sentencing policies and stopped the legislature’s efforts to replace cash bail with pretrial risk assessments. Kentucky passed Marsy’s Law, the crime victims’ bill of rights. Both Nebraska and Utah decided to remove language allowing slavery as a punishment from their constitutions. In Michigan, voters passed a legislatively referred measure requiring a search warrant to access a person’s electronic data. Oklahoma voters declined a measure that would have prohibited a person’s past nonviolent felonies from being considered when determining a new felony sentence.
Taxes
Taxes, another hot topic, broke in both directions—with voters in some states opting for higher taxes and others choosing tax deductions. A citizen initiative to reduce the state’s income tax passed in Colorado, while an initiative to increase income taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year passed in Arizona. The legislative effort in Illinois to remove the state’s flat income tax rate failed. Coloradans decided to repeal the Gallagher amendment, which set property tax assessment rates in the state constitution. Centennial State voters also weighed in on a citizen initiative requiring voters to approve the creation of certain fee-based state enterprises that are exempt from the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights—results are close, though it looks likely to pass. In California, Proposition 15—which would tax commercial and industrial properties based on their market value, rather than purchase price—failed. Arkansans approved the continuation of a 0.5% sales tax to fund transportation, and voters in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia passed tax deductions and exemptions for veterans—all with high margins. A proposal to increase taxes on oil and gas production has yet to be decided in Alaska.
Other Notable Highlights
- Florida voters chose to raise the minimum wage. Similar measures in the last five years have all passed.
- California’s Proposition 22, the most expensive ballot measure campaign in American history, passed; it will classify most app-based transportation and delivery drivers as independent contractors, not employees.
- Mississippians approved the state’s new magnolia flag design. The legislature put the question to voters after deciding to replace the previous flag, which featured the Confederate battle emblem.
- Gun rights were on the ballot in Alabama, Montana and Utah. Voters in Alabama passed two “Stand Your Ground” rights measures, applying to churches in Franklin County and Lauderdale County. Utahns voted to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish. In Montana, a legislative referral to remove local governments’ authority to regulate concealed carry laws eked out a tight win.
- Coloradans approved a citizen initiative to reintroduce gray wolves. It’s the first time voters in any state have had a say in bringing back an endangered species.
- Various forms of gambling were also up for a vote. Coloradans said “yes” to certain cities expanding allowed gaming types, Nebraskans passed three gambling-related measures, and Maryland and South Dakota both approved sports betting measures.
- Voters in Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota rejected efforts to make the citizen initiative process more challenging.
- An effort to overturn California’s affirmative action ban failed.
- Legislatively referred measures to amend term limits passed in Arkansas and failed in Missouri.
- Puerto Rico voted "yes" on statehood. This is the sixth time that voters have weighed in on statehood since 1967—though further action rests with Congress.
Find the latest updates on the NCSL Blog and statewide ballot measures database.
Questions? Contact Mandy Zoch
For more on ballot measures:
- State Elections 2020: Post-Election Ballot Measures Update (Blog, Nov. 4)
- State Elections 2020: Gambling Ballot Measures (Blog, Oct. 28)
- Tax and Other Revenue-Related Ballot Measures (Fiscal Brief, November)
- State Elections 2020: Marijuana Ballot Measures (Blog, Oct. 15)
- State Elections 2020: Health Ballot Measures (Blog, Oct. 12)
- State Elections 2020: Elections Ballot Measures (Blog, Oct. 5)
- State Elections 2020: Redistricting Ballot Measures (Blog, Sept. 29)
- #Trending? Ballot Measures, Tech and a Sign of the Times (Blog, Aug. 25)
- 2020 Ballot Measures: A Preview (Magazine, Aug. 18)
- SCOTUS Won't Let Lower Court Rewrite Ballot Initiative Rules (Blog, Aug. 17)
- SCOTUS Disallows Court-Ordered Changes to Idaho's Citizen's Initiative Process (Blog, Aug. 4)
- COVID-19 Brings Historic Changes for Citizen Initiatives (Blog, May 27)
- Initiative and Referendum Processes