State topics[edit]

Animals[edit] Hunting and fishing on the ballot Treatment of animals on the ballot Business[edit] Adult entertainment on the ballot Alcohol on the ballot Banking policy ballot measures Business regulation on the ballot Economic development on the ballot Food and agriculture on the ballot Gambling on the ballot Psychedelic substances on the ballot Marijuana on the ballot Sunday regulation ballot measures Smoking bans on the ballot Time standards on the ballot Tobacco on the ballot Transportation on the ballot Utilities on the ballot Crime and justice[edit] Civil and criminal trials on the ballot Death penalty ballot measures Law enforcement on the ballot Prisons on the ballot State judiciary on the ballot Tort law on the ballot Drug crime policy on the ballot Education[edit] Education on the ballot Charter schools and vouchers on the ballot Elections[edit] Campaign finance on the ballot Direct democracy measures on the ballot Elections and campaigns on the ballot Electoral systems on the ballot Recall process ballot measures Redistricting measures on the ballot Suffrage on the ballot Term limits on the ballot Voting policy measures on the ballot

Energy and Environment[edit] Earthquakes on the ballot Energy on the ballot Fracking on the ballot Environment on the ballot Forests and parks on the ballot Natural resources on the ballot Nuclear issues on the ballot Water on the ballot Health and Welfare[edit] Abortion policy ballot measures Assisted death on the ballot Healthcare on the ballot Insurance on the ballot Stem cells on the ballot Welfare on the ballot Government[edit] Administration of government on the ballot American Indian issues on the ballot Census on the ballot Civil service on the ballot Constitutional conventions on the ballot Constitutional language on the ballot County and municipal governance on the ballot Federal constitutional issues on the ballot Government accountability on the ballot Public works on the ballot Salaries of government officials on the ballot State capitals on the ballot State executive official measures on the ballot Statehood on the ballot State legislatures measures on the ballot Supermajority requirements on the ballot Labor[edit] Labor and unions on the ballot Minimum wage laws ballot measures Union dues on the ballot Public employee retirement funds ballot measures Wages and pay on the ballot

Property[edit] Eminent domain on the ballot Housing on the ballot Property on the ballot Social issues[edit] Act of dueling on the ballot Affirmative action ballot measures Constitutional rights ballot measures Family-related policy ballot measures English language policy ballot measures Firearms on the ballot Immigration on the ballot LGBT issues on the ballot Marriage and family on the ballot Media on the ballot Sexual content regulations ballot measures Race and ethnicity on the ballot Religion on the ballot Suffrage on the ballot Society[edit] Athletics on the ballot History, culture and the arts on the ballot Motto and symbols on the ballot Drug crime policy on the ballot Taxes and Government Finance[edit] Bond issues on the ballot Gambling policy ballot measures State and local government budgets, spending and finance on the ballot Taxes on the ballot War and peace[edit] Veterans on the ballot War and peace on the ballot

Full definitions[edit]

Abortion[edit]

Abortion policy ballot measures : This topic refers to ballot measures regarding abortion, funding of abortion, access to abortion, and definitions concerning personhood and when life begins.

Examples:

• Mississippi Initiative 26, Definition of Person Amendment (2011)
• Maine Partial-Birth Abortion Initiative, Question 1 (1999)

Act of dueling[edit]

Act of dueling on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the act of dueling and its legality.

Examples:

• Wisconsin Dueling and Disenfranchisement Amendment, Question 4 (April 1975)
• Kentucky Dueling Language Amendment (2010)

Administration of government[edit]

Administration of government on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding how the government functions structurally. Subcategories include: State capitals

Examples:

• Utah Executive Officers Succession, Amendment A (2008)
• Nebraska State Treasurer Amendment, Amendment 2 (2010)

State capitals[edit]

State capitals on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding state capitals.

Examples:

• Alaska Capital Site Selection (1976)
• Oklahoma Initiative 7 (1910)

Affirmative action[edit]

Affirmative action ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding policies that factor in "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin."

Examples:

• Michigan Proposal 2, Affirmative Action Initiative (2006)
• California Proposition 54, Prohibit State Classification Based on Race in Education, Employment, and Contracting Initiative (October 2003)

Alcohol[edit]

Alcohol on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the sales, use, creation and prohibition of alcohol.

Examples:

• Washington Bone Dry, Referendum 10 (1918)
• Oklahoma Wine Retail Sale, State Question 743 (2008)

American Indian issues[edit]

American Indian issues on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding American Indians, also referred to as Native Americans, including Native Hawaiians and Native Alaskans. Due to the unique relationship between tribal governments and the United State's federal government, state-tribal relationships have a complex and contentious history, including direct democracy measures. There are well over 550 federally recognized tribes, as well as state-recognized tribes and tribes who are still seeking recognition.^[1][2] This category does not encapsulate the many differences between tribes, but aims to provide a basic starting point for considering state-tribal relationships through direct democracy measures.

Examples:

• California Proposition 48, American Indian Gaming Compacts Referendum (2014)
• North Dakota Jurisdiction U.S. and Indian Lands, Referendum 4 (1956)
• South Dakota Native American Suffrage (1890)

Assisted death[edit]

Assisted death on the ballot: Also often referred to as medical aid-in-dying or physician-assisted death, this topic refers to ballot measures regarding the consent of one person to end their life with the help of another person, such as through prescription or the administration of lethal drugs.

Examples:

• Michigan Proposal B, Physician-Assisted Death Initiative (1998)
• Washington "Death with Dignity Act," Initiative 1000 (2008)

Athletics[edit]

Athletics on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding athletics and sporting facilities.

Examples:

• Montana IR-6, Establishment of the Athletic Commission (1914)
• Washington Referendum 48, Public Stadium Authority and Seattle Seahawks Stadium Funding Measure (June 1997)

Bond issues[edit]

Bond issues on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the use of bonds and bonded indebtedness by the government to pay for large projects, such as roads and building construction, school funding, or environmental conservation. Further explanation is available at - bond issue.

Examples:

• California Proposition 1A, High-Speed Rail Act (2008)
• Missouri Water and Sewer Bonds, Amendment 7 (1998)

Business regulation[edit]

Business regulation on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding regulations placed on various types of businesses by the government. Subcategories include: adult entertainment, Banking, and rules about Sunday.

• Montana Miners and Merchants Compliance, Measure I-147 (2004)
• California Proposition 44, Chiropractic License Revocation for Insurance Fraud Measure (March 2002)

Adult entertainment[edit]

Adult entertainment on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding various forms of adult entertainment, such as nude venues and pornographic material sales.

Examples:

• Washington Obscene Material Sales Ban, Initiative 335 (1977)

Banking[edit]

Banking policy ballot measures: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding banks and banking regulations.

Examples:

• North Dakota Indemnify Depositers for Bank Loss Issue (1928)

Rules about Sunday[edit]

Sunday regulation ballot measures: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding what is and is not allowed on Sundays.

Examples:

• South Dakota No Performance on Sundays (1922)
• Massachusetts Retail Stores Open Hours Initiative, Question 5 (1994)

Census[edit]

Census on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the census.

Examples:

• Florida State Census, Amendment 2 (1950)
• Massachusetts State Census for Redistricting Repeal Amendment, Question 1 (1990)

Civil and criminal trials[edit]

Civil and criminal trials on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding civil and criminal trials.

Examples:

• Ohio Criminal Trial Expert Testimony, Amendment 15 (September 1912)
• Oregon Jury Service Restriction Amendment, Measure 75 (1999)

Constitutional rights[edit]

Constitutional rights ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding state constitutional rights related to participation in civil and political life and other explicit rights generally included in a state constitution's first article. The most notable examples include the freedom of speech, press, and assembly, and the right to vote. Debates over other topics, such as provisions related to privacy, slavery and indentured servitude, equal treatment, discrimination, criminals, accused, and victims are also included in this definition. Other related and more specific categories aggregated by Ballotpedia include: Hunting and fishing on the ballot, Suffrage on the ballot, and more.

Civil service[edit]

Civil service on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the civil service.

Examples:

• Ohio Civil Service, Amendment 37 (September 1912)
• Washington Civil Service System, Initiative 101 (1936)

Constitutional conventions[edit]

Constitutional conventions on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding constitutional conventions. Constitutional conventions, also often known as ConCons, are gatherings of elected delegates who propose revisions and amendments to a state's constitution. Forty-four states have rules that govern how, in their state, a constitutional convention can be called. Some state laws require the question automatically appear on the ballot every so often. The question may appear every 10, 16 and 20 years. For more specific details and participating states read about constitutional conventions here.

Example:

• Illinois Constitutional Convention (2008)
• Hawaii Constitutional Convention, Question 1 (2008)

Constitutional language[edit]

Constitutional language on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures that specifically refer to changes to constitutional wording, such as through changes in specific word use or placement, or the removal of irrelevant language.

Examples:

• Nevada Constitution Language on Voting, Question 7 (2004)
• Nebraska Gender Neutral State Constitution, Amendment 2 (2000)

County and municipal governance[edit]

County and municipal governance on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the way village, town, city, and county government function.

Examples:

• Washington City Charters, SJR 1 (1964)
• Wisconsin County Executive Veto Power Amendment, Question 2a (1962)

Direct democracy measures[edit]

Direct democracy measures on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding direct democracy. Such measures may include questions about the initiative and referendum process, petition circulation requirements and signature filing amendments.

Examples:

• Arizona Signature Filing Amendment, Proposition 112 (2010)
• Wyoming Initiative Process, Constitutional Amendment B (2008)

Earthquakes[edit]

Earthquakes on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding earthquakes and earthquake preparedness.

Examples:

• California Proposition 127, Exclude Earthquake Safety Modifications from Tax Assessments Amendment (1990)
• Missouri Earthquake-Proofing Bonds, Amendment 5 (August 1992)

Economic development[edit]

Economic development on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding promotion of economic activity, generally through funding infrastructure, business and job development plans.

Examples:

• Rhode Island Question 4, Quonset Point/Davisville Bonds (2002)
• Maine Job Creation Bond Act, Question 6 (1996)

Education[edit]

Education on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding schools, students, teachers, education, and education funding. Subtopics include: Charter schools and vouchers.

Examples:

• Washington $30 per Schoolchild, Initiative 46 (1922)
• Oregon Teachers Performance Pay, Measure 60 (2008)

School choice[edit]

Charter schools and vouchers on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding policies designed to allow families to choose schools, and voucher programs to assist in funding student enrollment in public and non-public schools of one's choice.

Examples:

• California Proposition 38, School Vouchers (2000)
• Utah School Vouchers, Referendum 1 (2007)

Elections and campaigns[edit]

Elections and campaigns on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding elections and campaigns. Examples include ethics measures, election process measures (such as ranked-choice voting or top-two primaries), election date changes, and campaign activity-related measures.

Examples:

• Texas Proposition 8 (2003)
• Alaska Clean Elections, Measure 3 (August 2008)

English language[edit]

English language policy ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the use of English in various settings, such as schools and other public services. It also the covers topic of English as an official language.

Examples:

• California Proposition 63, English is the Official Language Amendment (1986)
• Oregon Public School English Immersion, Measure 58 (2008)

Environment[edit]

Environment on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the environment, environmental protection, and the use natural resources. Subtopics include: energy, forests and parks, natural resources, Nuclear issues and water

Examples:

• Louisiana Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund, Amendment 1 (September 2006)
• Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Materials Tax Initiative, Question 4 (1992)

Energy[edit]

Energy on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding energy, energy production, and energy conservation.

Examples:

• Idaho Power Amendment, HJR 7 (2010)
• California Proposition 10, Bonds for Alternative Fuels Initiative (2008)

Forests and parks[edit]

Forests and parks on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding the creation, use, preservation, maintenance and restoration of forests and parks. Many forest and park issues are also bond issues.

Examples:

• Georgia Forest Preservation Amendment, Amendment 1 (2008)
• California Proposition 180, Park Lands, Wildlife Areas, and Forests Bond Measure (June 1994)

Natural resources[edit]

Natural resources on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding gathering and use of natural resources, including subjects such as logging, mining and drilling.

Examples:

• Montana Miners and Merchants Compliance, Measure I-147 (2004)
• South Dakota Oil Refinery Initiative (2008)

Nuclear issues[edit]

Nuclear issues on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding nuclear weapons, nuclear facilities, and nuclear waste.

Examples:

• Washington Radioactive Waste, Initiative 297 (2004)
• California Proposition 12, Bilateral Nuclear Weapons Freeze Initiative (1982)

Water[edit]

Water on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures about water, water usage, and water conservation.

Examples:

• Utah Property Tax Exemption for Water Facilities, Amendment C (2010)
• California Proposition 1E, Flood Control and Water Supply System Bond Measure (2006)

Food and agriculture[edit]

Food and agriculture on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding food, food safety, food production, as well as all manners of farming and agricultural activities.

Examples:

• South Dakota Amendment to Prohibit Corporate Farming (1998)
• Oregon Labeling of Genetically-Engineered Foods, Ballot Measure 27 (2002)

Federal constitutional issues[edit]

Federal constitutional issues on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures about the states official position on federal constitutional issues, as well as what rights the federal government has over the state according to the U.S. Constitution.

Examples:

• Washington Federal Reserve Authority Constitutionality, Referendum Bill 41 (1987)
• Missouri Congressional Term Limits, Amendment 9 (1996)

Firearms[edit]

Firearms on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding regulations and rights to own, carry, use, sell, and buy firearms.

• Wisconsin Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Question 2 (1998)
• Missouri Concealed Firearms, Proposition B (April 1999)

Gambling[edit]

Gambling on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures that refer to any form of gambling such as casinos, table games, raffles and lotteries. It also encompasses the use of tax revenue collected from gambling facilities and gambling-related activities.

Examples:

• Arkansas State Lottery, Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 (2008)
• Maine Casino in Oxford County, Question 2 (2008)

Government accountability[edit]

Government accountability on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding open meeting laws, as well as government ethics and corruption.

• Alaska Anti Corruption Act, Ballot Measure 1 (August 2010)
• California Proposition 59, the "Sunshine Amendment" (2004)

Healthcare[edit]

Healthcare on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding health care rights, laws, and health insurance. Related categories include: insurance.

Examples:

• Arizona Health Insurance Reform Amendment, Proposition 106 (2010)
• Montana Healthy Kids Plan Act, I-155 (2008)

History, culture and the arts[edit]

History, culture and the arts on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding funding and preservation of history, culture and art.

Examples:

• Rhode Island Heritage Harbor Museum Bonds, Question 5 (2000)
• Louisiana Exempt Art from Ad valorem Property Tax Act, Amendment 5 (2006)

Housing[edit]

Housing on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding housing assistance, low income housing, and rent control. Specifically, bond measures to provide funds for housing may appear in the the bond issues category.)

Examples:

• California Proposition 199, Phase-Out of Rent Control on Mobile Homes (1996)
• New Mexico Affordable Housing Act, Constitutional Amendment 4 (2006)

Hunting[edit]

Hunting and fishing on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding hunting, fishing, and trapping. Related categories include: animal rights.

Examples:

• South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Amendment, Amendment 1 (2010)
• California Proposition 4, Prohibition on Trapping Fur-Bearing Mammals Initiative (1998)

Immigration[edit]

Immigration on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding immigration and immigrant rights. Additionally this topic covers various issues relating to immigration such as the use of foreign language instruction in public schools, employment, birthright citizenship, law enforcement.

• Arizona Bailable Offenses, Proposition 100 (2006)
• Oregon Public School English Immersion, Measure 58 (2008)

Insurance[edit]

Insurance on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding insurance regulations and requirements. Specifically this may include measures about automobile insurance, insurance lawsuits, rates and premiums, as well business regulation. This category often crosses over with health care and business regulations.

• Oregon Insurance Companies using Credit Score to Calculate Rates or Premiums, Ballot Measure 42 (2006)
• California Proposition 30, Referendum on Right to Sue Insurers (2000)

Labor and unions[edit]

Labor and unions on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding labor practices, collective bargaining, and business regulation.

• Colorado Right to Work Initiative, Amendment 47 (2008)
• Washington Eight Hour Law, Initiative 13 (1914)

Law enforcement[edit]

Law enforcement on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding violent and non-violent crimes, prison populations, sentencing, police/sheriffs, prisoner rights and victim rights. Subtopics include: death penalty

Examples:

• Ohio Regulation of Prison Labor, Issue 2 (1978)
• Oregon Crime Victim Rights Enforcement, Measure 51 (May 2008)

Death penalty[edit]

Death penalty ballot measures: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding the use of the death penalty.

Examples:

• California Proposition 17, Death Penalty in the California Constitution (1972)
• Washington Mandatory Death Penalty for Aggravated Murder, Initiative 316 (1975)

LGBT issues[edit]

LGBT issues on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people.

Examples:

• California Proposition 8, the "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry" Initiative (2008)
• Oregon Governments Cannot Create Classifications Based on Homosexuality, Ballot Measure 13 (1994)

Lottery[edit]

Gambling policy ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding state lotteries.

Examples:

• California Proposition 20, Lottery Funds for Instructional Materials Measure (March 2000)
• Oregon State Lottery Amendment, Measure 62 (2008)

Marijuana[edit]

Marijuana on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the sales, use, and growth of marijuana. It also covers penalties imposed for possession.

Examples:

• South Dakota Medical Marijuana Act, Initiated Measure 13 (2010)
• Massachusetts Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative, Question 2 (2008)

Marriage and family[edit]

Marriage and family on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding marriage, unmarried couples, adoption, alimony, and benefits. Subtopics include: divorce and custody.

Examples:

• Mississippi Marriage Definition, Amendment 1 (2004)
• Alabama Interracial Marriage, Amendment 2 (2000)

Divorce and custody[edit]

Family-related policy ballot measures: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding divorce and custody.

Examples:

• North Dakota Child Custody and Support, Statutory Measure 3 (2006)

Media[edit]

Media on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding forms of communication like newspapers, televisions, radios, and the internet.

Examples include:

• Wisconsin Public Television Advisory, Question 2 (1954)
• Utah Initiative A (1984)

Motto and symbols[edit]

Motto and symbols on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding city and state mottoes and symbols.

Example:

• Mississippi State Flag Referendum (April 2001)

Obscenity[edit]

Sexual content regulations ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the concept of "obscenity." In other words, some measures ask whether certain acts or materials are considered to be "indecent" or "repulsive." Furthermore, other questions ask whether those acts or materials ought to be banned. This category often crosses over with adult entertainment in regard to pornographic materials, and civil rights in regard to free speech.

Examples:

• Oregon Ballot Measure 13, Obscenity and Sexual Conduct (1974)
• Washington Obscene Material Sales Ban, Initiative 335 (1977)

Pension[edit]

Public employee retirement funds ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding public and private pensions, as well as use of public pension funds.

• Montana Protection of Public Pension Assets, Amendment C-25 (1994)
• South Carolina Public Employee Pension Plans, Amendment 2 (2008)

Prisons[edit]

Prisons on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding prisons and prisoners.

Examples:

• California Proposition 54, Bonds for Prison Construction (1986)
• Oregon State Prison Inmates to Work Full Time, Ballot Measure 17 (1994)

Property[edit]

Property on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding property, property rights, property acquisition, property use and zoning, property development and property sales by individuals, companies, and governments. Subtopics include: eminent domain

Examples:

• Washington Land Use Planning, Initiative 547 (1990)
• Georgia Industrial Property Designation, Amendment 5 (2010)

Eminent domain[edit]

Eminent domain on the ballot (Eminent domain): This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding the power of the state to seize land, the sale and use of seized land and property rights.

Examples:

• Nevada Eminent Domain Amendment, Question 4 (2010)
• California Proposition 99, Rules Governing Eminent Domain Amendment (June 2008)

Public works[edit]

Public works on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding public works.

Examples:

• California Proposition 35, Private Vendors Allowed for Public Works Projects (2000)
• Ohio Board of Public Works Abolition, Amendment 31 (September 1912)

Race and ethnicity measures[edit]

Race and ethnicity on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures that directly address race and ethnicity issues and policies.

Recall measures[edit]

Recall process ballot measures: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the creation and revision of laws and other provisions for recalling elected officials.

Examples:

• New Jersey Right of Recall, Public Question 1 (1993)
• Wisconsin Recall Primary Elections Amendment, Question 1 (April 1981)

Redistricting measures[edit]

Redistricting measures on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the process, guidelines and commissions related to redistricting. Redistricting involves the redrawing of boundary lines for state legislative and U.S. Congressional districts. On Ballotpedia, the category also includes the topic of apportionment, the act of determining the number of governmental representatives a particular potion of the populous receives.

Examples:

• California Proposition 11, Creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2008)
• Florida Congressional District Boundaries, Amendment 6 (2010)

Religion[edit]

Religion on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding religion and religious rights. Specifically, measures have included questions about the employment of chaplains at hospitals and health care facilities; the use of public dollars for religious funding.

Examples:

• Washington Chaplains, Amendment 88 (1993)
• Washington State Employed Chaplains, SJR 14 (1958)

Salaries of government officials[edit]

Salaries of government officials on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the salaries of government officials, such as governors and state legislators. Common measures include how much to pay government officials, when government officials will be paid, and how pay increases may be decided.

Examples:

• California Proposition 61, Salaries of State and Local Elected Officials (1986)
• Washington Effective Date of State Legislative Salary Increases, SJR 139 (1976)

State and local government budgets, spending and finance[edit]

State and local government budgets, spending and finance on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding all things monetary, excluding bond issues. Specifics include public endowments, public finance, state spending, spending caps, state budgets, and TIF (tax increment financing). Currently this topic includes a large number of measures. However, in the future this will be subdivided for greater specificity.

Examples:

• Nebraska TIF Project, Constitutional Amendment 6 (2006)
• Oregon Limiting of State Spending, Ballot Measure 48 (2006)

State executive official measures[edit]

State executive official measures on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding State executive officials, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Controller, Auditor,Superintendent of Schools, and a variety of Commissioners. Measure variety widely in topic, from how the executive officers are elected or appointed, to what powers they hold, to whether or not the office shall even exist.

Examples:

• Ohio Issue 1, Lieutenant Governor Vacancies (1989)
• Wisconsin Partial Veto, Question 1 (2008)
• Alaska Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of State Amendment (1970)

Statehood[edit]

Statehood on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding a state's statehood.

Examples:

• Wisconsin Constitution Ratification Referendum, Question 1 (1848)
• Hawaii Constitution Ratification Election (1950)

State judiciary[edit]

State judiciary on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding state judicial systems, including judges, courts, lawyers, juries, judicial authority, requirements for judicial appointment and the ability to file civil law suits. Subtopics include: tort law

Examples:

• Washington Judge Bail Authority Amendment, HJR 4220 (2010)
• Maryland Orphan's Court Judges in Baltimore Amendment, Question 3 (2010)

Suffrage[edit]

Suffrage on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the right to vote. Specifically, it concerns measures related to who can vote.

Examples:

• Washington Women's Suffrage Amendment (1910)
• Wisconsin Voting Rights for Children of U.S. Citizens Living Abroad, Question 1 (2000)

Term limits[edit]

Term limits on the ballot: This topic refers to the enactment, increase, or decrease of term limits on public officials. Term limits are a legal restriction on the number of terms a person may serve in a particular office. Ballotpedia also includes term lengths in this definition. Limits vary by state. State executives, state legislative representatives, judges and board officials are some of the offices with term limits.

Examples:

• South Dakota Repeal Term Limits, Constitutional Amendment J (2008)
• Nevada U.S. Congressional Term Limits, Question 17 (1996)

Tort law[edit]

Tort law on the ballot: Sometimes referred to as "tort reform," this subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding tort. Tort is "a wrongful act, not including a breach of contract or trust, that results in injury to another's person, property, reputation, or the like, and for which the injured party is entitled to compensation." That is to say, ballot measures regarding one's ability to sue for damages, and the amount that can be awarded in such cases.^[3]

Example:

• Colorado Construction Liability Act, Amendment 34 (2004)
• Oregon Healthcare Damage Limit Measure 35 (2004)

State legislatures measures[edit]

State legislatures measures on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding state legislatures. Specifically, such measures have included questions about legislative pay, expenditures, procedures, session length and authority.

Examples:

• Nevada Rules Governing Legislative Special Sessions, Question 10 (2006)
• Alaska Legislature Increase Amendment, Ballot Measure 1 (2010)

Stem cells[edit]

Stem cells on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding stem cell creation and use, as well as funding for stem cell-related research.

Examples:

• Michigan Stem Cell Amendment, Proposal 2 (2008)
• Missouri Stem Cell Research Act, Amendment 2 (2006)

Supermajority requirements[edit]

Supermajority requirements on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures that ask voters if a "supermajority" vote is required of the state legislature or a public vote in order to enact certain state laws. This category should also be applied to ballot measures about whether or not a local political jurisdiction must receive a supermajority vote on a bond measure or tax measure for it to be approved. Supermajority requirements vary, such as 60% or 2/3rd majority. Supermajority requirements have been implemented to enact taxes, laws and/or constitutional amendments.

• Nevada Legislative Supermajority for Tax Increases, Question 11 (1996)
• Michigan Legislature 2/3 Vote Amendment, Proposal 2 (2000)

Taxes[edit]

Taxes on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the creation, elimination, increase, decrease and exemption of taxes. Additionally, some measures refer to the use of specific tax money.

Examples:

• Hawaii Tax Rebates Amendment, Question 2 (2010)
• Nevada Sales and Use Tax Amendment, Question 3 (2010)

Time standards[edit]

Time standards on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the use of time standards, such as Daylight Saving Time.

Examples:

• Washington Daylight Saving Time, Initiative 210 (1960)

Tobacco[edit]

Tobacco on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding cigarette and tobacco use, sales, taxes, and public eduction on the topic. Subtopics include: smoking bans

Examples:

• North Dakota Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program Initiative, Measure 3 (2008)
• South Dakota Increase Taxes on Tobacco (2006)

Smoking bans[edit]

Smoking bans on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding public bans on smoking, such as in restaurants, government buildings, etc.

Examples:

• Nevada Smoking Ban Including Food Service, Question 5 (2006)
• Washington Smoking Ban, Initiative 901 (2005)

Transportation[edit]

Transportation on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding transportation, including vehicle laws, road and railway construction and construction bonds, and vehicle taxes and highway tolls.

Examples:

• California Proposition 1A, High-Speed Rail Act (2008)
• Rhode Island Transportation Bonds, Question 1 (2008)

Treatment of animals[edit]

Treatment of animals on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the treatment and protection of animals, excluding hunting. Related categories include: hunting.

Examples:

• Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act, Question 3 (2008)
• Arizona Humane Farms, Proposition 204 (2006)

Utilities[edit]

Utilities on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding creation, regulation, and sale of public utilities. Subtopics include: water.

Examples:

• Washington Public Utility Districts, Initiative 1 (1930)
• Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Amendment 1 (1954)

Veterans[edit]

Veterans on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding veterans, veteran assistance, veteran affairs, and tax exemptions.

Examples:

• Maine Bonus for Veterans of World War II Act (1946)
• Texas Proposition 8 (2009)

Voting policy measures[edit]

Voting policy measures on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the process and policies related to voting and how voting is conducted. Voting policy includes voter identification requirements, early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, same-day voter registration, and online voter registration.

Examples:

• Connecticut Allow for Early Voting Amendment (2022)
• North Carolina Voter ID Amendment (2018)
• Montana Late Voter Registration Revision Measure, LR-126 (2014)

Wages and pay[edit]

Wages and pay on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding the establishment or increase of employee wages, for example. Additionally, the topic includes measures regarding union dues. Subtopics include minimum wage and union dues.

Examples:

• Colorado Limitation on Public Payroll Deductions Initiative, Amendment 49 (2008)
• New Jersey Wage Assessment Amendment, Public Question 1 (2010)

Minimum wage[edit]

Minimum wage laws ballot measures: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding minimum wage. Specifically this has included the increase and establishment of minimum wage.

Examples:

• Nevada Minimum Wage Act, Question 6 (2006)
• Washington Minimum Wage, Initiative 688 (1998)

Union dues[edit]

Union dues on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding whether public employers (state government agencies, city and county governments, and public school districts) can deduct such things as union dues, any part of which will go into political activity, from public payroll checks without the advance authorization of the employee from whose paycheck the deduction is being taken.

Examples:

• Colorado Limitation on Public Payroll Deductions Initiative, Amendment 49 (2008)
• Oregon No Public Resources To Collect Political Funds, Measure 64 (2008)

War and peace[edit]

War and peace on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding war and anti-war related activities such as cruise missile tests. Subtopics include: Nuclear issues.

Examples:

• Maine Cruise Missiles Ballot Question (1989)
• Oklahoma Charter Amendments to United Nations, State Question 344 (1951)

Nuclear issues[edit]

Nuclear issues on the ballot: This subtopic refers to ballot measures regarding nuclear weapons, nuclear facilities, and nuclear waste.

Examples:

• Washington Radioactive Waste, Initiative 297 (2004)
• California Proposition 12, Bilateral Nuclear Weapons Freeze Initiative (1982)

Welfare[edit]

Welfare on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding welfare assistance, social security, unemployment compensation and other entitlements.

Examples:

• Louisiana Farmer and Fisherman Funds Amendment, Question 4 (2004)
• California Proposition 41, Limits on Welfare Spending (1984)

Local topics[edit]

City[edit] City bonds on the ballot City budget on the ballot City governance on the ballot City tax on the ballot County[edit] County bonds on the ballot County budget on the ballot County governance on the ballot County tax on the ballot District[edit] District bonds on the ballot District tax on the ballot Special district governance on the ballot Energy and Environment[edit] Local fracking on the ballot Local GMO on the ballot Local water on the ballot Local business and labor[edit] Local business regulation on the ballot Local definition of a corporation on the ballot Local labor and unions on the ballot Local project-labor agreements on the ballot Local governance[edit] Home rule charter on the ballot Incorporation, merging and boundaries of local jurisdictions on the ballot Local charter amendments on the ballot Local civil service on the ballot Local elections and campaigns on the ballot Local electoral systems on the ballot Local election and voting laws on the ballot Local government transparency on the ballot Local spending limit on the ballot Local term limits on the ballot Salaries of local officials on the ballot

Local social issues[edit] Local alcohol on the ballot Local environment on the ballot Local gambling on the ballot Local immigration on the ballot Local LGBT issues on the ballot Local marijuana on the ballot Local race and ethnicity on the ballot Local religion on the ballot Local tobacco on the ballot Local abortion on the ballot School[edit] Local school bonds on the ballot Local school budgets on the ballot Local school redistricting on the ballot Local school tax on the ballot Local Taxes[edit] California parcel tax on the ballot City tax on the ballot County tax on the ballot District tax on the ballot Gann overrides on the ballot Local business tax on the ballot Local gas tax on the ballot Local hotel tax on the ballot Local income tax on the ballot Local landfill tax on the ballot Local marijuana tax on the ballot Local property tax on the ballot Local sales tax on the ballot Local school tax on the ballot Local tobacco tax on the ballot Local utility tax and fees on the ballot Local vehicle registration tax on the ballot Tax increase on the ballot Tax decrease on the ballot Tax renewal on the ballot Local real estate transfer tax on the ballot

Wages, pensions and budgets[edit] Local pensions on the ballot Local wages and pay on the ballot Local minimum wage City budget on the ballot County budget on the ballot Other[edit] Local electrical aggregation on the ballot Local fireworks on the ballot Local fluoridation on the ballot Local GMO on the ballot Local health care on the ballot Local hospital bonds on the ballot Local housing on the ballot Local law enforcement on the ballot Local motto and symbols on the ballot Local property on the ballot Local red light cameras on the ballot Local rent control on the ballot Local transportation on the ballot Local war and peace on the ballot Local water on the ballot Local welfare on the ballot Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot Local advisory vote on the ballot

Footnotes[edit]

Measures by topic
Measures by year
Measures by state