“Nevada group to seek signatures for redistricting initiative”
The initiative to institute a commission in Nevada was amended and refiled to address a trial judge’s concerns about the ballot description.
Category Archives: direct democracy
“Ensuring That People Can Easily Understand the Ballot Measures They’re Voting On”
The lede in Route Fifty:
Legislation introduced by a Maryland lawmaker would set new standards for describing ballot measures in the state, with the aim of ensuring that people can clearly understand the proposals they’re casting votes on.
“Ranked-Choice Voting Could ‘Change the Rules’ of Electoral Politics in Mass.”
WBUR with an explainer on the ranked choice initiative likely to make it to the ballot if the legislature doesn’t adopt something first.
“Sponsor says Alaska elections initiative has enough signatures to be placed on ballot”
Alaska Public Media reports on the progress of a proposition calling for a top-four primary, ranked-choice voting, changes to appointments to local election boards, and campaign finance reform, among others.
“Dissonant Referendum Design and Turmoil in Representation”
Jacob Eisler has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
The fruit of a referendum should be political clarity. The people have spoken; the state will act in accordance with their wishes. Yet the Brexit referendum had the… Continue reading
“Marsy’s Law ballot question will appear in Pa., but state Supreme Court says votes won’t be counted for now”; Odd Decision of Pa. Supreme Court
Philly Inquirer:
If you’ve turned on network television in Pennsylvania in the last several weeks, you’ve probably been treated to political advertising in the form of the actor Kelsey Grammer telling the story of how, after his father was shot… Continue reading
In Aggressive and Somewhat Bizarre Opinion, Divided 10th Circuit Panel Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Colorado Constitutional Amendment Making It Harder to Qualify Initiatives for Ballot
On a 2-1 vote, a 10th Circuit panel has rejected a constitutional challenge to a provision of the Colorado Constitution requiring those who gather signatures for ballot measures to collect signatures from at least two percent of registered voters… Continue reading
Ballot initiative skullduggery?
The plot thicks. Maybe.
Earlier this week, I’d mentioned a movement to amend state constitutions to prohibit voting by noncitizens in state elections, even though every state currently prohibits voting by noncitizens in state elections.
Now a report featuring speculation… Continue reading
“Florida’s New Poll Tax”
Herman Schwartz blogs at
Balkinization on the legislative cutbacks to Florida’s Amendment 4 for
people with convictions who still owe fines or fees.
And The Intercept has a piece on some
prosecutors’ attempts to reduce the fines and fees, in… Continue reading
Interesting suit against AZ initiative signature law
Arizona law invalidates any signatures collected for a citizens’ initiative, referedum, or recall by a particular circulator, if the circulator is paid or from out of state, and if that circulator is subpoenaed in a challenge and can’t appear in… Continue reading
“GOP lawmakers create hurdles for citizen ballot initiatives”
AP:
Arkansas’ GOP-dominated Legislature has taken steps this year that will make it harder to put such proposals before voters, and they are not the only ones.Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah also have enacted restrictions on the public’s… Continue reading
“Ron DeSantis signs crack down on constitutional amendments, solidifying Republican control in Florida”
Tampa Bay Times:
The bill requires ballot initiatives pay petitioners by the hour, rather than by each signature they collect. They must register as an in-state circulator with the Secretary of State and turn in all signatures within 30… Continue reading
“It will get harder to amend Florida’s constitution if this bill passes”
The Tampa Bay Times reports.
“Arkansas GOP moves to keep progressive measures off the ballot—but not conservative ones”
Daily Kos:
Angry that voters passed a ballot initiative to increase the minimum wage in 2018, Arkansas Republicans are using their legislative majorities to put a constitutional amendment on the 2020 ballot that would make it vastly harder for… Continue reading