There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Public Question 1 - Marijuana Legalization Amendment
Question 1 would add an amendment to the state constitution that legalizes the recreational use of marijuana, also known as cannabis, for persons age 21 and older and legalizes the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail marijuana. The constitutional amendment would take effect on January 1, 2021.[1] New Jersey would be the first state in the Mid-Atlantic to legalize marijuana.
The five-member Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), which was first established to oversee the state's medical-marijuana program, would be responsible for regulating the cultivation, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana.
Question 1 would apply the state sales tax (6.625 percent) to recreational marijuana but prohibit additional state sales taxes. The state Legislature would be authorized to allow local governments to enact an additional 2 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana.
The ballot measure would not provide additional specifics, such as possession limits, home-grow rules, and retail regulations; rather, the legislature and CRC would need to enact additional laws and regulations.
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Public Question 2 - Peacetime Veterans Eligible for Property Tax Deduction Amendment
Question 2 would expand the state's $250 property tax deduction for wartime veterans to peacetime veterans. The ballot measure would also make surviving spouses of deceased peacetime veterans eligible for the tax deduction. As of 2020, the surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans, but not peacetime veterans, are eligible for the tax deduction.
The ballot measure would expand the 100 percent property tax exemption for disabled wartime veterans with total and permanent service-related disabilities to disabled peacetime veterans with total and permanent service-related disabilities. The disabled veterans' surviving spouses would be eligible to receive the exemption.
Both wartime and peacetime veterans would need to have received an honorable discharge or been released from active service under honorable circumstances to be eligible for either the deduction or exemption.
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Public Question 3 - Delayed State Legislative Redistricting Amendment
The constitutional amendment would postpone state legislative redistricting until after the election on November 2, 2021, should the state receive federal census data after February 15, 2021. Therefore, the current state legislative districts, which have been used since 2011, would remain in use for the 2021 election, and the state legislative elections in 2023 would be the first to use districts based on data from the 2020 U.S. Census. The constitutional amendment would also use this delayed timeline in future redistricting cycles should federal census data be received after February 15 in 2031, 2041, 2051, and so on.
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Question 1 - Remove Constitutional Status of Board of Regents Amendment
Question 1 would repeal the constitutional provisions concerning the Nevada State Board of Regents. Removing the constitutional status of the board would allow the state legislature to review and change the governing organization of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Question 1 would also require the state legislature to make laws providing for the "reasonable protection of individual academic freedom" for students, employees, and contractors of state universities to encourage the promotion of "intellectual, literary, scientific, mining, mechanical, agricultural, ethical and other educational improvements."
Question 1 would put the State of Nevada, rather than the Nevada State Board of Regents, in charge of investing federal land grants.
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Question 2 - Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment
Question 2 would repeal Question 2 (2002), which amended the Nevada Constitution to state that marriage between a male and female was the only type of marriage recognized by the state. Question 2 (2020) would instead define marriage as between couples regardless of gender. It would also state that religious organizations and clergypersons have the right to refuse to solemnize a marriage. The proposed amendment would have no practical effect on which couples could receive marriage licenses due to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which rendered laws defining marriage as between one man and one woman unconstitutional.
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Question 3 - State Board of Pardons Commissioners Amendment
Question 3 would make changes to the constitutional structure and duties of the State Board of Pardons Commissioners (SBPC). The SBPC has the power to remit fines and forfeitures, commute punishments, and grant pardons, except for treason; impeachments; and death sentences or life sentences without possibility of parole.
The SBPC consists of the governor, attorney general, and the seven justices of the Nevada Supreme Court. Currently, to grant a pardon to an offender, a majority of the board must vote in favor, and the governor must be included in the majority that voted in favor. The ballot measure would eliminate the requirement that the governor be included in the majority to grant a pardon.
As of 2019, state statute requires the SBPC to meet twice per year. The ballot measure would require the SBPC to meet four times per year. The ballot measure would also allow any member of the board to submit an issue for the full SBPC's consideration.
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Question 4 - State Constitutional Rights of Voters Amendment
Question 4 would add the state's declaration of voters’ rights, which was passed as a statute in 2002, to the Nevada Constitution. The amendment would provide qualified persons who are registered to vote with a constitutional right to receive and cast a ballot that is written in a "format that allows the clear identification of candidates" and "accurately records the voter’s preference in the selection of candidates." It also would provide registered voters with other constitutional rights, including:
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Question 6 - Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2020)
Question 6 (2020) would add language to the Nevada Constitution requiring the state's (RPS)) to increase to 50 percent by 2030. An RPS is a mandate that electric utilities acquire a minimum amount of electricity from renewable energy sources. The constitutional amendment would increase the RPS to 50 percent by 2030. The amendment would also define renewable energy to include sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric. Specifically, it would require an increased RPS each year until reaching 50 percent in 2030.
On April 22, 2019, Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed Senate Bill 358 (SB 358), which was designed to require the same RPS percentage by 2030 as the amendment on the ballot. The chart below illustrates how law before SB 358 compares to the RPS adopted by SB 358 and the RPS proposed by the amendment.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Require Initiated Constitutional Amendments to be Approved by the Legislature or Passed Twice Amendment
The measure would require initiated constitutional amendments passed by voters to be submitted to the legislature at the next legislative session for the legislature's approval or rejection. The legislature may approve a measure by a simple majority vote, in which case the measure would be deemed enacted. If the legislature rejects the measure, it would be placed on the ballot again at the next statewide general election and would become effective if approved by voters a second time. Currently, citizen-initiated constitutional amendments become effective once they are approved by voters at a statewide election.
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Board of Higher Education Membership Amendment
This measure would amend the state constitution to do the following:
Under the measure, the student member of the board would be appointed by the governor from a list of names recommended by the executive board of the North Dakota Student Association. The student member could not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The measure would take effect on June 30, 2021. Members of the board would still serve the remainder of their terms.
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The ballot measure would make the PRC an appointed committee, rather than an elected committee, and decrease the number of commissioners from five to three. The PRC would change from an elected committee to an appointed committee on January 1, 2023; therefore, the last election of PRC members would be in 2020. The ballot measure would create a nominating committee to develop a list of candidates, and the governor would appoint three members from the list, with the consent of the state Senate, to serve on the commission. Of the three commissioners, no more than two would be members of the same political party. Commissioners would serve six-year terms and be limited to two terms.
The ballot measure would make the New Mexico Legislature responsible for passing laws to decide the qualifications and education requirements for commissioners. The ballot measure would also provide for a commissioner to be removed from the PRC for accepting anything of value from persons or entities regulated by the commission.
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Elections and Terms of Non-Statewide Officeholders Amendment
The measure would amend section 3 of Article XX of the state constitution to allow the legislature to pass laws that adjust non-statewide officeholder elections and terms in order to balance the number of offices appearing on the presidential and gubernatorial general election ballots. For the purposes of enforcing term limits on certain offices, terms lengthened by such laws would be considered one term, and terms shortened would not be considered a term. Laws proposing adjustments to election dates of non-statewide officeholders must be supported by a legislative finding that such a change would promote consistency or that it would evenly distribute the number of offices appearing on the ballot.
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The bond would issue $33.29 million in general obligation bonds to make capital improvements for certain senior citizen facilities across the state. A general obligation bond is a public debt and is paid for through state funds, specifically funds from a statewide property tax in New Mexico.
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The bond would issue no more than $9.7 million in general obligation bonds for library improvements at public libraries, public school libraries, academic libraries and tribal libraries statewide. A general obligation bond is public debt and is paid for through state funds, specifically funds from a statewide property tax in New Mexico.
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The bond would issue no more than $156.3 million in general obligation bonds to make capital improvements for higher education, special schools, and tribal schools. A general obligation bond is public debt and is paid for through state funds, specifically funds from a statewide property tax in New Mexico.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
State Question 805 - Criminal History in Sentencing and Sentence Modification Initiative
State Question 805 applies to individuals that are convicted of non-violent felonies. Under Oklahoma state law, a felony offense is a crime where punishment includes imprisonment in the state penitentiary or death. The measure does not apply to those who have ever been convicted of a violent felony. State Question 805 would prohibit a person's former non-violent felony convictions from being used to enhance the person's sentence. In other words, the measure would not allow a convicted person's sentence to be made longer or harsher due to past felony convictions. The measure would provide for sentence modifications for eligible individuals that are serving or are set to serve sentences that were enhanced due to past felony convictions. A court could modify a person's sentence to be no greater than the current maximum sentence that would be imposed on a convicted person that had no former felony convictions.
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Question 814 - Decrease Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund Deposits and Fund Medicaid Program Amendment
Oklahoma receives money annually from tobacco companies under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Of the total MSA payments to the state, 75% is deposited into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Fund— which was designed to fund tobacco use prevention and smoking cessation programs— and 25% is deposited into a special fund, the Tobacco Settlement Fund, which is subject to appropriation by the state legislature. State Question 814 would switch the deposit percentages so that 25% of MSA payments would be deposited in the TSET Fund and 75% would be deposited in the Tobacco Settlement Fund. State Question 814 directs the legislature to appropriate remaining money in the special fund to secure federal matching funds for the Medicaid program. The state legislature also passed Senate Bill 1529 to take effect if State Question 814 is approved by voters. SB 1529 makes changes to the percentage of funds in the Tobacco Settlement Fund that are directed to the Attorney General's Evidence Fund so that the amount of money being directed remains about the same ($4.6 million) under current law as under State Question 814.
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Measure 107 would authorize the Oregon State Legislature and local governments to limit political contributions and expenditures. This amendment was designed to authorize the state legislature and local governments to enact laws and ordinances to do the following:
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Measure 108 - Tobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health Programs Measure
Measure 108 was designed to increase taxes on distributors of tobacco products and other nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, at the following rates:
Under the ballot measure, revenues would first be dedicated to the administration and enforcement of the tax. The remaining revenue would be dedicated to the Oregon Health Authority for medical and healthcare-assistance programs, including mental health services, tribal health providers, including Urban Indian Health Program, and other programs concerning tobacco and nicotine health issues.
Taxes from this bill would apply to such products on January 1, 2021.
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Measure 109 - Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative
Measure 109 would create a program for administering psilocybin products, such as psilocybin-producing mushrooms and fungi, to individuals aged 21 years or older. As of 2020, the manufacturing and consumption of psilocybin is illegal under both federal law and state law.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) would be responsible for establishing the program and creating regulations. OHA would have a two-year period to develop the program. An Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board (OPAB) would advise the OHA. People would be allowed to purchase, possess, and consume psilocybin at a psilocybin service center and under the supervision of a psilocybin service facilitator after undergoing a preparation session. Under Measure 109, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) would determine who is eligible to be licensed as a facilitator, determine what qualifications, education, training, and exams are needed, and create a code of professional conduct for facilitators. OHA would set psilocybin dosage standards and labeling and packaging rules.
Measure 109 would also allow cities and counties to place referendums on local ballots to prohibit or allow psilocybin-product manufacturers or psilocybin service centers within their jurisdictions.
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The measure would reclassify personal/non-commercial drug possession offenses. Possession of a controlled substance in Schedule I-IV, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, would be reclassified from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E violation resulting in a $100 fine or a completed health assessment. Individuals who manufacture or distribute illegal drugs would still be subject to a criminal penalty. The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission estimated that convictions for possession of a controlled substance would decrease by 3,679 or 90.7%.
The health assessments would be conducted through addiction recovery centers and include a substance use disorder screening by a certified alcohol and drug counselor. Health assessments must be completed within 45 days of the violation.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
The amendment would remove "Providence Plantations" from official state name references in the Preamble, Article III, and Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution. The current official name of Rhode Island is the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."
Other government officials have already removed "Plantations" from state and local documents. On June 19, 2020, the mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza (D), signed an executive order that removed "Plantations" from city documents and oath ceremonies. On June 22, 2020, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) issued an executive order that removed "Plantations" from all documents and stationery used by her office. She also ordered that all executive agencies under the governor's control remove "Plantations" from agency stationery, electronic letterhead, pay stubs, and all other mediums of communication.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Initiated Measure 26 - Medical Marijuana Initiative
The measure would establish a medical marijuana program in South Dakota for individuals who have a debilitating medical condition as certified by a physician. Patients would be allowed to possess a maximum of three ounces of marijuana. Limits on the amount of cannabis products a person may possess would be set by the Department of Health. According to the measure, patients registered to cultivate marijuana at home could grow three plants at minimum, or another amount as prescribed by a physician.
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Constitutional Amendment A - Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Amendment A would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for individuals 21 years old and older. Individuals would be allowed to possess or distribute up to one ounce of marijuana. The amendment would require the South Dakota State Legislature to pass laws providing for a program for medical marijuana and the sale of hemp by April 1, 2022.
Individuals who live in a jurisdiction with no licensed retail stores could grow up to three marijuana plants in a private residence in a locked space, though not more than six marijuana plants could be kept in one residence at a time. Under the amendment, marijuana sales would be taxed at 15%. After the tax revenue is used by the Revenue Department to cover costs associated with implementing the amendment, 50% of the remaining revenue would be appropriated to fund state public schools and 50% would be deposited in the state's general fund.
Under the amendment, a local government could ban marijuana cultivators, testing facilities, wholesalers, or retail stores from operating in its limits. Under the amendment, a local government could not prohibit the transportation of marijuana on public roads in its jurisdiction by those who are licensed to do so.
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Constitutional Amendment B, Deadwood Sports Betting Legalization Amendment
The amendment would amend the South Dakota Constitution to authorize the South Dakota State Legislature to legalize sports betting within the city limits of Deadwood, South Dakota. Currently, in Deadwood, blackjack, craps, keno, poker, roulette, and slot machines are legalized. Gambling in Deadwood was legalized after the approval of citizen-initiated Amendment B of 1988. Like other authorized forms of gambling within the city, all net municipal proceeds would be dedicated to the historic restoration and preservation of Deadwood. In state law, "historic restoration and preservation" of Deadwood was defined to mean "Maintain[ing] its historical background, cultural heritage, and necessary supporting infrastructures."
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Amendment A - Gender-Neutral Constitutional Language Amendment
The amendment was designed to remove gender-specific language in the state constitution and replace it with gender-neutral language. For example, the amendment would update constitutional language to say things like "all persons" rather than "all men." If approved by voters, the language would go into effect on January 1, 2021.
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Amendment B - Legislator Qualifications Amendment
This amendment was designed to specify that certain qualifications of a legislator apply as of the time of election or appointment rather than the time a legislator assumes office. The amendment does not change the qualifications of a legislator.
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Amendment C - Remove Slavery as Punishment for a Crime from Constitution Amendment
The Utah Constitution prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishments for those convicted of crimes. This ballot measure would repeal the exception, referred to as an exception clause, for criminal punishment. The Utah Constitution is one of 12 state constitutions that ban slavery and involuntary servitude but include an exception for criminal punishment. An additional nine state constitutions included provisions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment. The Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution includes an exception clause permitting slavery or involuntary servitude for people convicted of crimes.
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Amendment D - Municipal Water Resources Amendment
The amendment was designed to revise provisions surrounding municipal water rights and allow municipalities to supply water outside of their municipal boundaries.[1]
The amendment would allow a municipality to do the following:
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Amendment E - Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment
The amendment would establish state constitutional right to hunt and fish for the people of Utah. The amendment would subject the right to hunt and fish to statutes that, according to the amendment's text, promote wildlife conservation and management and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. The measure would also declare that hunting and fishing are the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife in Utah.
The measure would take effect on January 1, 2021, if approved by voters at the November 2020 election.
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Amendment F - Legislative Session Start Date Amendment
Currently, the Utah Constitution mandates that the state legislature must meet beginning on the fourth Monday in January. The 2020 state legislative session in Utah began on January 27, 2020. The amendment would allow the state legislature to set the January session start date in state statute. The Utah Constitution currently provides that federal holidays are excluded from the state's 45-day session limit. The amendment would continue to exclude state holidays from the limit and would not change the length of the legislative session.
Currently, if the state legislature wanted to change the session start date, they would need to amend the state constitution by passing a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds vote of the legislature. The amendment would then require statewide voter approval. Under the proposed measure, the legislature would be able to change the session start date in state statute, which requires a simple majority vote in the state legislature and does not require voter approval.
The measure would take effect on January 1, 2021, if approved by voters at the November 2020 election.
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Amendment G - Use Income and Property Tax Revenue to Support Children and Individuals with Disabilities Amendment
The constitutional amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 9) would allow the Utah State Legislature to use revenue from income taxes and intangible property taxes to "support children and to support individuals with a disability." Currently, under the Utah Constitution, tax revenue from income taxes and intangible property may only be used to fund education.
If the amendment is approved, Utah House Bill 357, titled Public Education Funding Stabilization, would take effect. HB 357 was designed to "stabilize education funding in circumstances in which revenues are insufficient to fund the public education system." HB 357 would provide for ongoing education funding and additional funding tied to growth in student enrollment and inflation.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Virginia Redistricting Commission Amendment
The ballot would transfer the power to draw both congressional and state legislative districts to a 16-member redistricting commission composed of eight legislators and eight citizens.
Leaders of the legislature's two-largest political parties would select members to serve on the commission. Therefore, based on the current membership, the commission's legislative members would include two Senate Democrats, two Senate Republicans, two House Democrats, and two House Republicans. The commission's eight citizen members would be recommended by legislative leaders and selected by a committee of five retired circuit court judges. Commissioners would select one of the eight citizens to serve as chairperson of the redistricting commission.
The ballot measure would require the following votes by the redistricting commission to pass district maps:
The redistricting commission's maps would be filed with the General Assembly, which would vote to pass the maps into law or reject them. The General Assembly would be prohibited from amending the maps. If the General Assembly rejected a map, the redistricting commission would design a new map. If the map was rejected again, the Virginia Supreme Court would establish the districts.
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Virginia Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans Amendment
In Virginia, local governments can adopt annual taxes that are levied on a motor vehicle's value. This is known as a tangible personal property tax. The ballot measure would amend the Virginia Constitution to provide veterans who have 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disabilities with a tax exemption for one automobile or pickup truck. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for determining a veteran's disability rating.
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Referendum 90 - Sex Education in Public Schools Measure
The Washington State Legislature passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 5395 (SB 5395) in March 2020. Opponents of the bill collected signatures to place SB 5395 on the ballot as Referendum 90 and are advocating for a reject vote on the referendum. A vote to reject this referendum would repeal Senate Bill 5395, which was designed to require comprehensive sexual health education in public schools. A vote to approve the referendum would allow SB 5395 to go into effect. The bill is on hold pending the result of the election.
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Amendment - Authorize Fund Investment of Family Medical Leave and Long-Term Care Amounts Amendment
The amendment would allow funds in the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account and the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account to be invested as provided by law.
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There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Amendment A - Municipal Debt for Sewage Systems Measure
The measure would remove the constitutional limit on debt a municipality could incur for municipal sewer projects. The current limit on total debt for municipal projects is 4 percent of the assessed value of the taxable property within the municipality. The constitution allows for an additional 4 percent for municipal sewer projects. This measure would remove the additional limit of 4 percent for sewer projects and instead allow the legislature to provide for additional indebtedness.
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Please visit the Guam Election Commission Website below to see those running for office.
Please visit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Election Commission Page below for more information.
Please visit the Republic of Palau Election Commission Page below for more information.
Please visit the Puerto Rico Election Comisión Estatal de Elecciones Page below for more information. Voter registration closes September 14th!
Puerto Rico Statehood Referendum
The ballot measure asks voters the following: "Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state?" Voters have the option to answer "Yes" or "No."
Should the ballot measure be approved, the governor would appoint a seven-member commission to represent Puerto Rico in matters and negotiations related to achieving statehood. The commission would develop a transition plan, which the governor would approve or reject, and present the plan to Congress and the President.
According to Senate Bill 1467, which placed the referendum on the ballot, voting "No" on the referendum would mean that a seven-member commission would be appointed to negotiate with the federal government for the free association or independence of Puerto Rico.
The ballot measure cannot compel the U.S. Congress to act on the issue of Puerto Rico's political status.
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Please visit the Election System of the Virgin Islands Page below for more information.
U.S. Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention Question -
The ballot measure would ask voters whether the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature should pass a bill to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of adopting the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, or a portion of the ROAVI, as the U.S. Virgin Islands Constitution.[1]
As of 2020, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not have a territorial constitution. Instead, the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (ROAVI), a federal law passed in 1954, functions as the territory's constitution.
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The Chicago Sun-Times has a fantastic Election Voting Guide created by Andy Boyle and Caroline Hurley. Click their banner to view!
Illinois Allow for Graduated Income Tax Amendment - The ballot measure would repeal the state's constitutional requirement that the state personal income tax be a flat rate across income. Instead, the ballot measure would allow the state to enact legislation for a graduated income tax.
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This act would get rid of the party primary system, and political parties would no longer select their candidates to appear on the general election ballot. Instead, this act would create an open nonpartisan primary where all candidates would appear on one ballot. Candidates could choose to have a political party preference listed next to their name or be listed as “undeclared” or “nonpartisan.” The four candidates with the most votes in the primary election would have their names placed on the general election ballot.
This act would establish ranked-choice voting for the general election. Voters would have the option to “rank” candidates in order of choice. Voters would rank their first choice candidate as “1”, second choice candidate as “2”, and so on. Voters “1” choice would be counted first. If no candidate received a majority after counting the first-ranked votes, then the candidate with the least amount of “1” votes would be removed from counting. Those ballots that ranked the removed candidate as "1" would then be counted for the voters' “2” ranked candidate. This process would repeat until one candidate received a majority of the remaining votes. If voters still want to choose only one candidate, they can.
This act would also require additional disclosures for contributions to independent expenditure groups and relating to the sources of contributions. It would also require a disclaimer on paid election communications by independent expenditure groups funded by a majority of out of state money.
This act would change the oil and gas production tax for areas of the North Slope where a company produced more than 40,000 barrels of oil per day in the prior year and more than 400 million barrels total. The new areas would be divided up based on “fields, units, and nonunitized reservoirs” that meet the production threshold. The act does not define these terms. For any areas that meet the production threshold, the tax would be the greater of one of two new taxes.
(1) One tax would be a tax on the gross value at the point of production of the oil at a rate of 10% when oil is less than $50 per-barrel. This tax would increase to a maximum of 15% when oil is $70 per-barrel or higher. No deductions could take the tax below the 10% to 15% floor.
(2) The other tax, termed an “additional tax,” would be based on a calculation of a production tax value for the oil that would allow lease expenditure and transportation cost deductions. This tax on production tax value would be calculated based on the difference between the production tax value of the oil and $50. The difference between the two would be multiplied by the volume of oil, and then that amount would be multiplied by 15%. The existing per-taxable-barrel credit would not apply. The act uses the term “additional tax” but it does not specify what the new tax is in addition to.
The tax would be calculated for each field, unit, or nonunitized reservoir on a monthly basis. Taxes are currently calculated on an annual basis, with monthly estimated payments. Since these new taxes would only apply to certain areas, a taxpayer would still have to submit annual taxes for the areas where the new taxes do not apply. The act would also make all filings and supporting information relating to the calculation and payment of the new taxes “a matter of public record.” This would mean the normal Public Records Act process would apply.
I-23-2020 Smart and Safe - For | Against
Proposition 14
1880. (19-0022A1)
AUTHORIZES BONDS TO CONTINUE FUNDING STEM CELL AND OTHER MEDICAL RESEARCH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Authorizes $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund grants from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to educational, non-profit, and private entities for: (1) stem cell and other medical research, therapy development, and therapy delivery; (2) medical training; and (3) construction of research facilities. Dedicates $1.5 billion to fund research and therapy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central nervous system diseases and conditions. Limits bond issuance to $540 million annually. Appropriates money from General Fund to repay bond debt, but postpones repayment for first five years. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: State costs of $7.8 billion to pay off principal ($5.5 billion) and interest ($2.3 billion) on the bonds. Associated average annual debt payments of about $310 million for 25 years. The costs could be higher or lower than these estimates depending on factors such as the interest rate and the period of time over which the bonds are repaid. The state General Fund would pay most of the costs, with a relatively small amount of interest repaid by bond proceeds. (19-0022A1.)
Proposition 15
1870. (19-0008A1)
INCREASES FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Increases funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and local governments by requiring that commercial and industrial real property be taxed based on current market value. Exempts from this change: residential properties; agricultural properties; and owners of commercial and industrial properties with combined value of $3 million or less. Increased education funding will supplement existing school funding guarantees. Exempts small businesses from personal property tax; for other businesses, exempts $500,000 worth of personal property. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Net increase in annual property tax revenues of $7.5 billion to $12 billion in most years, depending on the strength of real estate markets. After backfilling state income tax losses related to the measure and paying for county administrative costs, the remaining $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion would be allocated to schools (40 percent) and other local governments (60 percent). (19-0008.)
Proposition 16
ACA 5 (Resolution Chapter 23), Weber. Government preferences. (PDF)
An equal opportunity Resolution.
The California Constitution, pursuant to provisions enacted by the initiative Proposition 209 in 1996, prohibits the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. The California Constitution defines the state for these purposes to include the state, any city, county, public university system, community college district, school district, special district, or any other political subdivision or governmental instrumentality of, or within, the state. This measure would repeal these provisions. The measure would also make a statement of legislative findings in this regard.
Proposition 17
ACA 6 (Resolution Chapter 24), McCarty. Elections: disqualification of electors. (PDF)
Directs the Legislature to proved for the disqualification of electors who are serving a state or federal prison sentence for the the conviction of a felony. This measure would also delete the requirement that the Legislature provide for the disqualification of electors while on parole for the conviction of a felony. The measure would provide for the restoration of voting rights upon the completion of the prisoner term.
Proposition 18
ACA 4 (Resolution Chapter 30), Mullin. Elections: voting age. (PDF)
The California Constitution authorizes any person who is a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the state to vote. This measure, in addition, would authorize a United States citizen who is 17 year of age, is a resident of the state, and will be at lease 18 years of age at the time of the next general election to vote in any primary or special election that occurs before the next general election in which the citizen would be able to vote if at least 18 years of age.
Proposition 19
Proposition 20
1840. (17-0044, Amdt.#1)
RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED ONLY AS MISDEMEANORS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Imposes restrictions on parole program for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term for their primary offense. Expands list of offenses that disqualify an inmate from this parole program. Changes standards and requirements governing parole decisions under this program. Authorizes felony charges for specified theft crimes currently chargeable only as misdemeanors, including some theft crimes where the value is between $250 and $950. Requires persons convicted of specified misdemeanors to submit to collection of DNA samples for state database. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased state and local correctional costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily related to increases in penalties for certain theft-related crimes and the changes to the nonviolent offender release consideration process. Increased state and local court-related costs of around a few million dollars annually related to processing probation revocations and additional felony theft filings. Increased state and local law enforcement costs not likely to exceed a couple million dollars annually related to collecting and processing DNA samples from additional offenders. (17-0044.)
Proposition 21
1862. (19-0001)
EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Amends state law to allow local governments to establish rent control on residential properties over 15 years old. Allows rent increases on rent-controlled properties of up to 15 percent over three years from previous tenant’s rent above any increase allowed by local ordinance. Exempts individuals who own no more than two homes from new rent-control policies. In accordance with California law, provides that rent-control policies may not violate landlords’ right to a fair financial return on their property. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential reduction in state and local revenues of tens of millions of dollars per year in the long term. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or more. (19-0001.)
Proposition 22
1883. (19-0026A1)
CHANGES EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION RULES FOR APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY DRIVERS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Establishes different criteria for determining whether app-based transportation (rideshare) and delivery drivers are “employees” or “independent contractors.” Independent contractors are not entitled to certain state-law protections afforded employees—including minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation. Instead, companies with independent-contractor drivers will be required to provide specified alternative benefits, including: minimum compensation and healthcare subsidies based on engaged driving time, vehicle insurance, safety training, and sexual harassment policies. Restricts local regulation of app-based drivers; criminalizes impersonation of such drivers; requires background checks. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increase in state personal income tax revenue of an unknown amount. (19-0026A1)
Proposition 23
1882. (19-0025A1)
AUTHORIZES STATE REGULATION OF KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. ESTABLISHES MINIMUM STAFFING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Requires at least one licensed physician on site during treatment at outpatient kidney dialysis clinics; authorizes Department of Public Health to exempt clinics from this requirement due to shortages of qualified licensed physicians if at least one nurse practitioner or physician assistant is on site. Requires clinics to report dialysis-related infection data to state and federal governments. Requires state approval for clinics to close or reduce services. Prohibits clinics from discriminating against patients based on the source of payment for care. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state and local health care costs, likely in the low tens of millions of dollars annually, resulting from increased dialysis treatment costs. (19-0025A1.)
Proposition 24
1879. (19-0021A1)
AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Permits consumers to: (1) prevent businesses from sharing personal information; (2) correct inaccurate personal information; and (3) limit businesses’ use of “sensitive personal information”—such as precise geolocation; race; ethnicity; religion; genetic data; union membership; private communications; and certain sexual orientation, health, and biometric information. Changes criteria for which businesses must comply with these laws. Prohibits businesses’ retention of personal information for longer than reasonably necessary. Triples maximum penalties for violations concerning consumers under age 16. Establishes California Privacy Protection Agency to enforce and implement consumer privacy laws, and impose administrative fines. Requires adoption of substantive regulations. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased annual state costs of roughly $10 million for a new state agency to monitor compliance and enforcement of consumer privacy laws. Increased state costs, potentially reaching the low millions of dollars annually, from increased workload to DOJ and the state courts, some or all of which would be offset by penalty revenues. Unknown impact on state and local tax revenues due to economic effects resulting from new requirements on businesses to protect consumer information. (19-0021A1.)
Proposition 25
1856. (18-0009)
REFERENDUM TO OVERTURN A 2018 LAW THAT REPLACED MONEY BAIL SYSTEM WITH A SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.
If this petition is signed by the required number of registered voters and timely filed, a referendum will be placed on the next statewide ballot requiring a majority of voters to approve a 2018 state law before it can take effect. The 2018 law replaces the money bail system with a system for pretrial release from jail based on a determination of public safety or flight risk, and limits pretrial detention for most misdemeanors. (18-0009)
Referred to the voters by the state legislature
Without increasing property tax rates, to help preserve funding for local districts that provide fire protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten through twelfth grade education, and other services, and to avoid automatic mill levy increases, shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution to repeal the requirement that the general assembly periodically change the residential assessment rate in order to maintain the statewide proportion of residential property as compared to all other taxable property valued for property tax purposes and repeal the nonresidential property tax assessment rate of twenty-nine percent?
Text of legislative bill (PDF)
Referred to the voters by the state legislature
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activities, and, in connection therewith, allowing bingo-raffle licensees to hire managers and operators of games and reducing the required period of a charitable organization's continuous existence before obtaining a charitable gaming license?
Text of legislative bill (PDF)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution requiring that to be qualified to vote at any election an individual must be a United States citizen?
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning voter-approved changes to limited gaming, and, in connection therewith, allowing the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other games in addition to those currently allowed and increase a maximum single bet to any amount; and allowing gaming tax revenue to be used for support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges?
Referred to the voters by the state legislature
SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY $294,000,000 ANNUALLY BY IMPOSING A TAX ON NICOTINE LIQUIDS USED IN E-CIGARETTES AND OTHER VAPING PRODUCTS THAT IS EQUAL TO THE TOTAL STATE TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS WHEN FULLY PHASED IN, INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX BY UP TO 22% OF THE MANUFACTURER'S LIST PRICE, INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE CIGARETTE TAX BY UP TO 9 CENTS PER CIGARETTE, EXPANDING THE EXISTING CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO TAXES TO APPLY TO SALES TO CONSUMERS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM TAX FOR MOIST SNUFF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, CREATING AN INVENTORY TAX THAT APPLIES FOR FUTURE CIGARETTE TAX INCREASES, AND INITIALLY USING THE TAX REVENUE PRIMARILY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET REVENUE THAT HAS BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND THEN FOR PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE THE USE OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS, ENHANCE THE VOLUNTARY COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND MAKE IT WIDELY AVAILABLE FOR FREE, AND MAINTAIN THE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY RECEIVE REVENUE FROM TOBACCO TAXES, WITH THE STATE KEEPING AND SPENDING ALL OF THE NEW TAX REVENUE AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?
Text of legislative bill (PDF)
Shall the following Act of the General Assembly be approved: An Act concerning adoption of an agreement among the states to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote, being Senate Bill No. 19-042?
Text of legislative bill (PDF)
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the restoration of gray wolves through their reintroduction on designated lands in Colorado located west of the continental divide, and, in connection therewith, requiring the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting the commission from imposing any land, water, or resource use restrictions on private landowners to further the plan; and requiring the commission to fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves?
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning prohibiting an abortion when the probable gestational age of the fetus is at least twenty-two weeks, and, in connection therewith, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine to perform or attempt to perform a prohibited abortion, except when the abortion is immediately required to save the life of the pregnant woman when her life is physically threatened, but not solely by a psychological or emotional condition; defining terms related to the measure including “probable gestational age” and “abortion,” and excepting from the definition of “abortion” medical procedures relating to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy; specifying that a woman on whom an abortion is performed may not be charged with a crime in relation to a prohibited abortion; and requiring the Colorado medical board to suspend for at least three years the license of a licensee whom the board finds performed or attempted to perform a prohibited abortion?
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring statewide voter approval at the next even-year election of any newly created or qualified state enterprise that is exempt from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the enterprise, and all other enterprises created within the last five years that serve primarily the same purpose, is greater than $100 million within the first five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of the new enterprise?
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, authorizing paid family and medical leave for a covered employee who has a serious health condition, is caring for a new child or for a family member with a serious health condition, or has a need for leave related to a family member’s military deployment or for safe leave; establishing a maximum of 12 weeks of family and medical leave, with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications, with a cap on the weekly benefit amount; requiring job protection for and prohibiting retaliation against an employee who takes paid family and medical leave; allowing a local government to opt out of the program; permitting employees of such a local government and self-employed individuals to participate in the program; exempting employers who offer an approved private paid family and medical leave plan; to pay for the program, requiring a premium of 0.9% of each employee’s wages, up to a cap, through December 31, 2024, and as set thereafter, up to 1.2% of each employee’s wages, by the director of the division of family and medical leave insurance; authorizing an employer to deduct up to 50% of the premium amount from an employee’s wages and requiring the employer to pay the remainder of the premium, with an exemption for employers with fewer than 10 employees; creating the division of family and medical leave insurance as an enterprise within the department of labor and employment to administer the program; and establishing an enforcement and appeals process for retaliation and denied claims?
Coming soon - please check back and visit Connecticut's Official State Website
Initiative 81 - Make the investigation and arrest of adults for non-commercial planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, possessing, and/or engaging in practices with entheogenic plants and fungi among the Metropolitan Police Department’s lowest law enforcement priorities; and
Codify that the people of the District of Columbia call upon the Attorney General for the District of Columbia and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia to cease prosecution of residents of the District of Columbia for these activities.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
"Delaware allows less popular participation in lawmaking than any other state. Delaware does not allow initiatives or referendums at the state or local level, and it is the only state in the nation that does not require popular approval of constitutional amendments."
For more information, please visit the USC's Initiative & Referendum Institute.
1) Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections - This amendment provides that only United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of Florida, and registered to vote, as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in a Florida election.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
2) Raising Florida's Minimum Wage - Raises minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30th, 2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30th, 2027.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
3) All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet - Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. Two highest vote getters advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and winner is determined in general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
4) Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments - Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
5) Limitation on Homestead Assessments - Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective date January 1, 2021, to increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period of time during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
6) Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities - Provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran's surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2021.
Source: Florida Division of Elections See More Here
Georgia Dedicating Tax and Fee Revenue Amendment - The amendment would authorize the Georgia State Legislature to pass legislation establishing special funds with dedicated revenue sources to fund statute specific projects. Statutes that impose such taxes and fees must reference this amendment and identify the government agency responsible for administering the revenue in its text.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Georgia Allow Residents to Seek Declaratory Relief from Certain Laws Amendment - This measure would waive the state's sovereign immunity, thereby allowing residents to seek declaratory relief through the superior courts from state or local laws that are found to violate the U.S. Constitution, state Constitution, or state law. Under the amendment, a court could not award damages, attorney's fees, or other costs of litigation unless authorized by the state legislature. After granting declaratory judgment, a court would be able to enjoin (block) the law or act in question. If approved, the state's waiver of sovereign immunity would be applicable to acts occurring on or after January 1, 2021.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
There are no constitutional amendment questions on the 2020 General Election ballot for Hawaii; however, there are a variety of county Charter Amendment Questions. Visit this site to find out more.
Iowa Constitutional Convention Question - This automatic ballot referral asks voters whether or not to hold a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Iowa Constitution.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Idaho Require 35 Legislative Districts Amendment - The amendment would remove language in the state constitution that allows the legislature to have between 30 and 35 districts and, instead, require the state to have 35 state legislative districts. Any future changes to the number of legislative districts in the state would be decided by voters as a constitutional amendment. Currently, the number of legislative districts is determined by state statute, which means the state legislature can vote to adjust the number between 30 and 35. Currently, the Idaho State Senate contains 35 Senators, who are elected from 35 districts. The Idaho House of Representatives consists of 70 Representatives, who are elected from the same 35 districts, with two being elected from each constituency.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for Indiana. Visit the link below to see more voting information.
There are currently no statewide measures on the Kansas Ballot. Check BallotPedia for local district measures
Kentucky Marsy's Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment - The amendment is a type of Marsy's Law. The measure would provide crime victims with specific constitutional rights, including the right to be treated with fairness and due consideration for the victim’s safety, dignity, and privacy; to be notified about proceedings; to be heard at proceedings involving release, plea, or sentencing of the accused; to proceedings free from unreasonable delays; to be present at trials; to consult with the state's attorneys; to reasonable protection from the accused and those acting on behalf of the accused; to be notified about release or escape of the accused; to have the victim's and victim's family's safety considered when setting bail or determining release; and to receive restitution from the individual who committed the criminal offense.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Kentucky Terms of Judicial Offices Amendment - The amendment would increase the term of commonwealth's attorneys from six to eight years beginning in 2030 and increase the term of district court judges from four to eight years beginning in 2022. It would also require district judges to have at least eight years of legal experience. Currently, the requirement for district judges is two years.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 1 - No Right to Abortion in Constitution Amendment
The constitutional amendment would add a sentence to the Louisiana Declaration of Rights: "To protect human life, nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion."
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 2 - Include Oil and Gas Value in Tax Assessment of Wells Amendment
This amendment would allow the presence or production of oil or gas to be taken into account when assessing the fair market value of an oil or gas well for ad valorem property tax purposes.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 3 - Use of Budget Stabilization Fund for Declared Disasters Amendment
Amendment 3 would allow the Louisiana State Legislature, through a two-thirds vote in each chamber, to use up to one-third of the revenue in the Budget Stabilization Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) to cover the state's costs associated with a federally-declared disaster. Federal deposits into the fund for the declared disaster cannot exceed the amount appropriated by the state for the same disaster. Currently, the Louisiana Constitution restricts the use of and deposits into the fund according to budget forecasts and deficits.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 4 - Expenditures Limit Growth Formula Amendment
Amendment 4 would change the formula used to determine how much revenue the state is allowed to spend each year. As of 2020, the Louisiana Constitution capped state spending growth at the prior year's spending limit multiplied by the average annual percentage rate of change of personal income for Louisiana for the three years prior. The measure would remove the expenditure limit formula from the Louisiana Constitution and allow the state legislature to enact a spending formula through a statute that does not allow more than 5 percent growth per year. The new formula would take effect on June 30, 2022.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 5 - Payments in Lieu of Property Taxes Option Amendment
Amendment 5 would authorize an exemption from ad valorem property taxes for certain property when the owner of the property enters into a cooperative endeavor agreement with a taxing authority to make payments to the taxing authority instead of paying property taxes, according to details established by law and the specific agreements. The exemption could only be applied to new manufacturing establishments or additions to existing manufacturing establishments. Under the amendment, any law implementing this amendment would need to be approved by a two-thirds (66.67 percent) supermajority vote in each chamber of the state legislature and information about the properties to which this exemption is applied would need to be added to tax assessment rolls and provided to the Louisiana Tax Commission.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 6 - Homestead Exemption Special Assessment Income Limit Amendment
Amendment 6 would increase the income threshold to qualify for the special assessment level for residential property receiving the homestead exemption from $50,000 (adjusted annually since 2001 based on the Consumer Price Index) to $100,000 per year beginning in 2026, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. For 2020 special assessment applications, the income limit was $77,030.36.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 7 - Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund Amendment
The amendment would create the Unclaimed Property (UCP) Permanent Trust Fund, with the fund earmarked for payment of claims made by owners of abandoned property. It also requires that funds above administrative costs received due to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 1997 (or its successor) be allocated to the UCP Permanent Trust Fund until equal to the state's estimated unclaimed property potential liability. It would also allocate any additional unclaimed property receipts and any investment revenue from the UCP Permanent Trust Fund to the state's general fund and authorize the treasurer to invest up to 50% of the UCP Permanent Trust Fund in equities.
Under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 1997, the treasurer is required to maintain $500,000 in a fund for payment of claims made by owners of abandoned property. The law also requires that $15 million be deposited into the Unclaimed Property Leverage Fund each fiscal year. Money in excess of this is then deposited into the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Question 1 - "Right to Repair Law" Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative
Question 1 (2020) would require manufacturers that sell motor vehicles equipped with telematics systems to install a standardized open data platform beginning with model year 2022. Vehicle owners could then access telematics system data through a mobile device application and then give consent for independent repair facilities to access that data and send commands to the system for repair, maintenance, and diagnostic testing.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Question 2 - Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative
Question 2 would enact ranked-choice voting (RCV) for primary and general elections for state executive officials, state legislators, federal congressional representatives, and certain county offices. RCV is a voting method in which voters rank candidates according to their preferences. If a candidate receives greater than 50% of all first-preference votes, the candidate is declared the winner and the tabulation ends. If no candidate receives a simple majority of first-preference votes, then the candidate receiving the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. First-preference votes cast for the eliminated candidate are eliminated, and the second-preference choices indicated on those ballots are tallied as their first-preference in the following round. The process is continued until a candidate wins a simple majority (50%+1) of the vote. If there is a tie for last place, the candidates' support from earlier rounds would be compared to determine who should be eliminated.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Question 1 - Legislative Authority over State Budget Amendment
Question 1 would authorize the Maryland General Assembly to increase, decrease, or add items to the state budget as long as such changes do not make the budget exceed the total proposed budget submitted by the governor. Currently, the Maryland General Assembly receives a budget proposal from the governor and is not allowed to add expenditures to it or reapportion expenditures. The assembly can only reduce the state’s operating budget.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Question 2 - Sports Betting Measure
Question 2 would authorize sports and events wagering at certain licensed facilities. The state revenue generated by such activities would be primarily dedicated to funding public education. The measure would also authorize the Maryland Department of Transportation, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, and the Maryland Attorney General to contract with a panel of experts to review the “Business Disparities in the Maryland Market Area” study completed in 2017 and determine whether remedial measures need to be taken for minorities and women in the commercial gaming industry.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Proposal 1 - Use of State and Local Park Funds Amendment
Proposal 1 would make changes to how revenue in the state's park-related funds can be spent. As of 2018, the funds received revenue from mineral, oil, and gas leases and royalties. The ballot measure would affect the following funds:
Proposal 1 would also remove the NRTF's cap of $500 million in principal and allow the trust fund to begin receiving revenue again after the SPEF reaches $800 million in principal. The NRTF reached the cap in 2011. Removal of the cap would allow the NRTF to grow faster and increase funding for grants.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Proposal 2 - Search Warrant for Electronic Data Amendment
Proposal 2 would add language to the Michigan State Constitution that requires a search warrant to access electronic data or electronic communications. The ballot measure would also state that electronic data and electronic communications are secure from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
There are currently no statewide ballot measures for 2020. Please check the link below for updates and voter information.
Amendment 1 - State Executive Term Limits Amendment
Amendment 1 would limit the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, and attorney general to two terms of office in a lifetime. As of 2019, the state constitution limited the governor and state treasurer to two terms of office in a lifetime but not the other executive offices.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment 3 - Redistricting Process and Criteria, Lobbying, and Campaign Finance Amendment
Amendment 3 would return the state to the use of bipartisan commissions appointed by the governor for legislative redistricting and eliminate the nonpartisan state demographer, which was created by the approval of Amendment 1 (2018). The bipartisan commissions would be renamed the House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission and the Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission and consist of 20 members each. The amendment would also change the criteria used to draw district maps. It would also change the threshold of lobbyists' gifts from $5 to $0 and lower the campaign contribution limit for state senate campaigns from $2,500 to $2,400.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A - Medical Marijuana Amendment
Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A would both amend the Mississippi Constitution to provide for the establishment of a medical marijuana program in Mississippi for individuals with a debilitating medical condition.
Under Initiative 65, medical marijuana could be recommended for patients with at least one of the 22 specified qualifying conditions including cancer, epilepsy or seizures, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s disease, HIV, and more. Patients could possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana at one time. Marijuana sales under Initiative 65 would be taxed at the state's sales tax rate, which is 7% as of 2020.
Alternative 65A does not specify qualifying conditions, possession limits, or a tax rate. Many details would need to be set by the state legislature. Alternative 65A would restrict the ability to smoke marijuana to terminally ill patients.
The differences between Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A are summarized in the following chart:
Provision | Initiative 65 | Alternative 65A |
---|---|---|
Number of qualifying conditions | 22 specified; more may be established at a later date | none specified |
Possession limits | 2.5 ounces at once | none specified |
Ability to smoke marijuana | prohibited in public places[1] | restricted to terminally ill patients |
Taxes on marijuana sales | taxed at state sales tax rate (7% as of 2020) | no tax rate specified |
Cost for medical marijuana patient ID cards | capped at $50 | no cost specified |
Administrating agency | Mississippi Department of Health | not specified |
Deadline for medical marijuana cards to be issued | August 15, 2021 | no date specified |
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
State Flag Referendum
At the election on November 3, 2020, Mississippi voters will be shown a colored picture of the new proposed state flag, named the In God We Trust Flag. Residents may vote either yes to adopt the new flag or no to oppose adopting the new state flag. If the new proposed flag is rejected by voters, the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag will reconvene, design another flag, and allow voters to approve or reject it at a special election in November 2021. The commission unanimously selected the final flag on September 2, 2020. The flag is shown below:
Remove Electoral Vote Requirement and Establish Runoffs for Gubernatorial and State Office Elections Amendment
The constitutional amendment would remove the electoral vote requirement and the House of Representatives' role in choosing a winner in the event of a tie. The amendment would provide that if a candidate for Governor of Mississippi or statewide elected office does not receive a majority vote of the people, the candidates will proceed to a runoff election. The details of the runoff election would be provided through state law. The amendment would first apply to the gubernatorial and statewide office elections in 2023. A runoff election is a second general election conducted to determine which of the top vote-getters in the first general election will be elected to office. Runoffs occur in states that require candidates to receive a majority (as opposed to a plurality) of the vote to win an election. Two states conduct general election runoffs for select federal and state-level offices: Georgia and Louisiana.
LR-130 - Limit Local Government Authority to Regulate Firearms Measure
The Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 7-1-111 provides that local governments have the power to regulate the carrying of permitted concealed weapons. LR-130 would remove local governments’ power to regulate the carrying of permitted concealed weapons. The ballot measure would continue to allow local governments to regulate unpermitted concealed weapons and unconcealed weapons in public occupied buildings. LR-130 would also remove local governments’ power to regulate the possession of firearms by “convicted felons, adjudicated mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and minors.” As of 2020, state law provides that local governments can regulate concealed or unconcealed weapons in public buildings, parks, and schools. If approved by voters, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2021
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
C-46 - Initiated Amendment Distribution Requirements Measure
C-46 would not alter currently enforced initiative signature distribution requirements, but would amend constitutional language to match the existing signature distribution requirements for initiated constitutional amendments. For an initiated constitutional amendment in Montana, proponents must collect signatures equal to 10 percent of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths (40) of the state's 100 legislative districts.
A distribution requirement is a statutory or constitutional mandate requiring that petitions for a ballot measure or candidate nomination must be signed by voters from different political subdivisions in order for the ballot measure or candidate to qualify for the ballot.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
C-47 - Initiated Statute and Referendum Distribution Requirements Amendment
This amendment would not alter currently enforced initiative signature distribution requirements, but would amend constitutional language to match the existing signature distribution requirements for initiative petitions. For an initiated state statute or a veto referendum in Montana, signatures collected must be equal to 5 percent of the qualified electors in each of one-third (34) of the state's legislative districts.
A distribution requirement is a statutory or constitutional mandate requiring that petitions for a ballot measure or candidate nomination must be signed by voters from different political subdivisions in order for the ballot measure or candidate to qualify for the ballot.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
CI-118 - Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment
Montana CI-118 would amend Section 14, Article 2 of the Montana Constitution to allow the legislature or a citizen initiative to establish the legal age of purchasing, consuming, or possessing marijuana, as the legislature did with alcohol. Currently, the recreational use of marijuana is against state law. The legalization of marijuana for medicinal use was approved by voters in 2004.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
I-190, Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative
Initiative 190 would legalize the possession and use of marijuana for adults (age 21 years or older) in Montana. It would allow individuals to grow no more than four marijuana plants and four seedlings for personal use in their residence, as long as the plants are within an enclosed area with a lock and beyond public view.[2]
The Montana Department of Revenue would be responsible for regulating the cultivation, manufacture, transport, and sale of marijuana in Montana. It would begin accepting marijuana provider and dispensary applications by January 1, 2022.
Marijuana and marijuana-infused products would be taxed at 20% of the retail price. After deducting any administrative costs incurred by the department to enforce the initiative, the tax revenue would be allocated to the general fund, conservation programs, veterans programs, drug addiction treatment programs, local authorities enforcing the initiative, and healthcare workers.
I-190 would authorize local authorities to regulate by ordinances or resolutions marijuana establishment and testing facilities.
Under Initiative 190, persons serving marijuana-related sentences that are no longer crimes under the initiative or have a lesser punishment may request to be resentenced or have the conviction expunged depending on the circumstances.
Source: BallotPedia See More Here
Amendment - Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment
Since 1875, the Nebraska Constitution has prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishments for those convicted of crimes. The ballot measure would repeal the exception, referred to as an exception clause, for criminal punishment.
The Nebraska Constitution is one of 12 state constitutions that ban slavery and involuntary servitude but include an exception for criminal punishment. An additional nine state constitutions included provisions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment. Voters in neighboring Colorado approved a ballot measure in 2018 to remove an exception clause from their state constitution. The Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution includes an exception clause permitting slavery or involuntary servitude for people convicted of crimes.
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Amendment - Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Repayment Amendment
The ballot measure would increase the repayment period for tax-increment financing (TIF) from 15 years to 20 years for areas where more than one-half of properties are designated as extremely blighted. In Nebraska, an extremely blighted area is defined as a census tract with an average unemployment rate that is 200 percent or more of the average state unemployment rate and the poverty rate is more than 20 percent.
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Payday Lender Interest Rate Cap Initiative
The initiative would change state statute by removing the existing limit that prohibits payday lenders from charging fees in excess of $15 per $100 loaned and replacing it with a 36% annual limit on payday lending transactions. It would also prohibit payday lenders from collecting fees, interest, or the principal of the transaction if the rate charged is greater than 36%. Payday lenders are also prohibited from marketing, offering, or guaranteeing loans with interest rates exceeding 36% in the state regardless of the lender having a physical office in the state.
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Medical Marijuana Initiative
The initiative would amend the Nebraska Constitution to legalize medical marijuana. The amendment would allow adults and children (under 18 years of age) with the consent of a parent or guardian to use medical marijuana upon the recommendation of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner to treat a serious medical condition. The amendment does not define serious medical condition, thus the determination is left to the licensed physician or nurse practitioner. The amendment would authorize the Nebraska State Legislature to develop laws, rules, and regulations to govern the state's medical-marijuana program. The amendment would require that the laws, rules, and regulations be reasonable and not impose an undue burden on medical-marijuana patients' right to use marijuana.
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