This is the thread for all the news and more that will inevitable come up over the weeks and months ahead. Life will be getting busy again, and that means a lot of news. Play by the rules and enjoy!
Plebiscite Plaza 2026:
These amendments come up on May 19. The first one would add solicitation and conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and shooting or discharging a firearm or explosive in an occupied dwelling or vehicle to the list of charges for which a judge may remand a suspect without bail.
The second one would prohibit any district attorney's pay from being reduced during their time in office.
The second one would prohibit any district attorney's pay from being reduced during their time in office.
Alaska will be voting on a measure that would impose new limits on campaign contributions for state and local offices. Individuals would be allowed to donate up to $2,000 per election cycle on individuals candidates, $4,000 on a Gubernatorial ticket, and $5,000 for a party. The parties themselves would be limited to $4,000 for candidate and $5,000 for other groups or parties.
Their second measure would repeal RCV and top-four primaries, a system that was narrowly approved in 2020 and narrowly retained in 2024. And when I say narrowly, I mean it survived by a mere 743 votes. It would take everything back to the previous model of FPTP party primaries and general elections.
Their second measure would repeal RCV and top-four primaries, a system that was narrowly approved in 2020 and narrowly retained in 2024. And when I say narrowly, I mean it survived by a mere 743 votes. It would take everything back to the previous model of FPTP party primaries and general elections.
Measure number one would designate drug cartels as terrorist organisations and direct the State Homeland Security Department to do all it can to combat them.
Measure number two would prohibit cities and counties from imposing a tax on groceries without voter approval. It would also cap such taxes at a 2% maximum.
Measure number three is an amendment that would prohibit the state and any local government from enacting any vehicle mileage taxes or fees and any laws that would allow authorities to monitor a vehicle's mileage without that person's consent.
Measure number two would prohibit cities and counties from imposing a tax on groceries without voter approval. It would also cap such taxes at a 2% maximum.
Measure number three is an amendment that would prohibit the state and any local government from enacting any vehicle mileage taxes or fees and any laws that would allow authorities to monitor a vehicle's mileage without that person's consent.
The first measure is an amendment that would allow the legislature to create Economic Development Districts and provide grants and loans for the purposes of developing an area's economy, real estate, transportation or infrastructure, or reducing unemployment.
The second measure is an amendment that says only citizens can vote.
The third measure would allow the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in bonds to fund water-related infrastructure projects such as drainage, flood control, wetland and river protection, water treatment, pollution and waste disposal, and irrigation.
The fourth measure is an amendment that would expand the state's already existing right to bear arms. It would now guarantee the right to ammunition, firearm components, and firearm accessories as well as firearms themselves.
The second measure is an amendment that says only citizens can vote.
The third measure would allow the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in bonds to fund water-related infrastructure projects such as drainage, flood control, wetland and river protection, water treatment, pollution and waste disposal, and irrigation.
The fourth measure is an amendment that would expand the state's already existing right to bear arms. It would now guarantee the right to ammunition, firearm components, and firearm accessories as well as firearms themselves.
The first proposition would repeal Prop 73(1988), which bans public funding for political campaigns for everyone except charter cities(basically the biggest cities in the state). In its place, the state, general law cities, and counties would be allowed to set up public funding programmes as well as impose campaign spending limits and eligibility rules.
The second proposition would change how recall elections go. Currently, when an elected official is recalled, the successor election takes place right away alongside the recall vote. This measure would eliminate the immediate successor election and allow a position to be filled by law as if the vacancy occurred by other means.
Second, it would also allow the recalled official to run in any successor election that takes place afterward.
Third, in the specific case of the Governor's office, the Lieutenant Governor would succeed the governor for the remainder of their term unless the recall happens within the first half of a term and before the nomination period for the general election in that second year ends. In that case, a byelection would be called.
The third proposition would require initiated amendments that propose increased vote thresholds for other ballot measures to pass by the same threshold it's proposing. So, if a measure calls to increase the approval threshold to 60% for tax measures, for example, that measure would itself need 60% to pass.
The second proposition would change how recall elections go. Currently, when an elected official is recalled, the successor election takes place right away alongside the recall vote. This measure would eliminate the immediate successor election and allow a position to be filled by law as if the vacancy occurred by other means.
Second, it would also allow the recalled official to run in any successor election that takes place afterward.
Third, in the specific case of the Governor's office, the Lieutenant Governor would succeed the governor for the remainder of their term unless the recall happens within the first half of a term and before the nomination period for the general election in that second year ends. In that case, a byelection would be called.
The third proposition would require initiated amendments that propose increased vote thresholds for other ballot measures to pass by the same threshold it's proposing. So, if a measure calls to increase the approval threshold to 60% for tax measures, for example, that measure would itself need 60% to pass.
This first measure would stiffen penalties for fentanyl- and synthetic opioid-related crimes.
First, it would raise their felony classifications to Level I or Level II depending on the amount of the drug they have and if the crime is possession, manufacture, sale, and dispensation and include mandatory penalties of eight years imprisonment for Level I offenders.
Second, anyone found guilty of a Level I Misdemeanour related to fentanyl or synthetic opioids would have to go through court-mandated treatment as part of their sentence.
Third, existing sentencing exceptions would be reduced if the offence involves a drug-related death from these substances. This is only a statue, so it doesn't require a supermajority.
First, it would raise their felony classifications to Level I or Level II depending on the amount of the drug they have and if the crime is possession, manufacture, sale, and dispensation and include mandatory penalties of eight years imprisonment for Level I offenders.
Second, anyone found guilty of a Level I Misdemeanour related to fentanyl or synthetic opioids would have to go through court-mandated treatment as part of their sentence.
Third, existing sentencing exceptions would be reduced if the offence involves a drug-related death from these substances. This is only a statue, so it doesn't require a supermajority.
Florida's first amendment would increase the amount of funds that could go into the state Budget Stablisation Fund to 25% of annual net general revenue from the current 10% limit. It would also require an annual transfer to the fund of 25% of net general revenue of $750 million, whichever's lower. This transfer could be stopped if the fund is being used to cover shortfalls, if the money is needed for emergency and disaster spending, or it the Legislature, by a two-thirds majority, passes a law that says there's a critical need that can only be met by stopping the transfer.
Their second amendment would exempt tangible personal property used on farms, such as tractors, feeders, citrus heaters and so on, from personal property taxes if they're being primarily used for farming or agritourism and are owned by the farm's owner.
For these and other amendments, Florida requires a 60% majority for approval.
Their second amendment would exempt tangible personal property used on farms, such as tractors, feeders, citrus heaters and so on, from personal property taxes if they're being primarily used for farming or agritourism and are owned by the farm's owner.
For these and other amendments, Florida requires a 60% majority for approval.
Georgia will be voting on an amendment that would increase the amount of land that a farmer or landowner can enter into the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment Programme. This programme allows up to 2,000 acres of farm land, timber land, or conservation land to be taxed at just 40% of its fair market value. This amendment would raise the limit to 4,000 acres
Hawaii has an amendment that would increase the time frame for the State Senate to consider judicial appointments made between April 1 and December 31, the period when the Legislature isn't usually in session or is close to ending its session. Appointments made during this time would now have to be considered within 60 days instead of the current 30 day limit.
Hawaiian constitutional measures require a majority of all voters who vote in an election, not just those who vote on the measure.
Hawaiian constitutional measures require a majority of all voters who vote in an election, not just those who vote on the measure.
HJR 4(legislative referrals use their bill number in Idaho) is an amendment that would provide that only the State Legislature could legalise or decriminalise marijuana or other narcotics and forbid any citizen initiatives from doing the same. This is meant to limit future attempts at legalisation as both medical and recreational usage may be put on the ballot later this year. If they are, this wouldn't apply to those measures. just any that come after approval.
HJR 6 is an amendment that would make English the state's official language, something that it already is in law, this would just enshrine in the constitution.
HJR 6 is an amendment that would make English the state's official language, something that it already is in law, this would just enshrine in the constitution.
Public Measure 1 is an amendment that would require municipal court judges to live in the county the court's in or the bordering county that's closest to the court.
Kansas's first measure will be voted on on August 4. This would abolish the current nonpartisan Nomination Commission for Supreme Court Justices and require the seven justices to be elected in staggered six-year terms. Three of them would be chosen in 2028, two more in 2030, and the remaining two in 2032.
This amendment would be votes on in November. It says that only citizens can vote.
This amendment would be votes on in November. It says that only citizens can vote.
First, the amendments that will be considered on May 16. Amendment number one would allow parishes to exempt business inventory from property taxes.
Amendment number two would raise the mandatory judicial retirement age from 70 to 75.
Amendment number three would allow the legislature to add officers and positions to the state's unclassified civil service(which consist of elected officials, soldiers, teachers, registrars, railroad employees, election commissioners certain officers and staffers of Legislators, Mayors, Parish Board/Police Jury members-Police Jury's another older name for a Parish Board, and so on) by moving them from the classified civil service. It would also take away the State Civil Service Commission's authority to make such transfers themselves.
Amendment number four would eliminate three education-based trust funds: The Education Excellence Fund, the Education Quality Trust Fund, and the Education Quality Support Fund. Their money would go to the Teachers' Retirement System.
Amendment number five would add the newly-created City of St. George(Located in East Baton Rouge Parish south of Baton Rouge made up of formerly unincorporated territory that became a city in 2019 and is now the fifth-largest in the state)school system as the sixth independent school system in the state. This means it could be run separate from the East Baton Rough Parish School District.
Now for November's amendments. Amendment number one would raise the income limit to apply for the state's special assessment level for property taxes. This special assessment level freezes the value of eligible homes so their taxes don't rise with property values. The amendment would raise the limit to $150,000 from the current $100,000.
Amendment number two would raise the mandatory judicial retirement age from 70 to 75.
Amendment number three would allow the legislature to add officers and positions to the state's unclassified civil service(which consist of elected officials, soldiers, teachers, registrars, railroad employees, election commissioners certain officers and staffers of Legislators, Mayors, Parish Board/Police Jury members-Police Jury's another older name for a Parish Board, and so on) by moving them from the classified civil service. It would also take away the State Civil Service Commission's authority to make such transfers themselves.
Amendment number four would eliminate three education-based trust funds: The Education Excellence Fund, the Education Quality Trust Fund, and the Education Quality Support Fund. Their money would go to the Teachers' Retirement System.
Amendment number five would add the newly-created City of St. George(Located in East Baton Rouge Parish south of Baton Rouge made up of formerly unincorporated territory that became a city in 2019 and is now the fifth-largest in the state)school system as the sixth independent school system in the state. This means it could be run separate from the East Baton Rough Parish School District.
Now for November's amendments. Amendment number one would raise the income limit to apply for the state's special assessment level for property taxes. This special assessment level freezes the value of eligible homes so their taxes don't rise with property values. The amendment would raise the limit to $150,000 from the current $100,000.
Maryland has an amendment that would allow the Chair of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities(the 11-member body that handles complaints against judges with three judges, three lawyers, and five regular citizens) to appoint former members to fill temporary vacancies due to recusal, disqualification, or expiration of their term. It would also allow the Governor to appoint substitute members or extend the terms of existing members.
Massachusetts has a veto referendum this year. In 2024, the General Court passed, and Governor Maura Healey signed, H. 4885, a law that led to sweeping gun control measures in the commonwealth. Many were unhappy with the law, so they got this measure on the ballot. H. 4885 does several things:
First, it requires the Commonwealth Department of Criminal Justice Information Services to implement an electronic tracking system for all registered firearms.
Second, it expands the already-existing ban on assault weapons to include assault-style firearms, defined as a semi-automatic pistol, centrefire rifle, or shotgun that has the capacity to accept a detachable ammo feeder(for the former two) and at least two other additions such as a folding or telescopic stock, a handgrip that can be held by the non-trigger hand, a thumbhole stock or pistol grip, or an anti-heat shroud on the barrel. Detachable ammo feeders count as one of the two additions for pistols.
Third, it requires people to take a basic firearm safety training course to obtain either a Firearm Identification Card(FID) or a Licence to Carry(LTC). Only people with LTCs can create 3D-printed guns or purchase semi-automatics.
Fourth, it mandates serial numbers for all firearms except antiques but including 3D-printed guns, which must receive a unique number within seven days of assembly.
Fifth, it allows school administrators and licenced healthcare providers to petition the court for an extreme risk protection order.
Sixth, it also creates a harassment prevention order, and courts could require people under these order to surrender their firearms.
Seventh, requires gun owners to report any thefts to authorities within seven days, or they'll lose their licences. Gun shops have to report thefts immediately upon discovery.
Eighth, it creates criminal penalties for anyone who fires a gun within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Ninth, minors from age 12 on are allowed to purchase and possess self-defence sprays, like mace, with a permit. Anyone applying between ages 12-15 requires parental consent.
Tenth and finally, it creates four commissions to study firearm data, violent crime prevention, and so on.
All of this is being brought up to the people for a vote. A No vote will repeal the law.
First, it requires the Commonwealth Department of Criminal Justice Information Services to implement an electronic tracking system for all registered firearms.
Second, it expands the already-existing ban on assault weapons to include assault-style firearms, defined as a semi-automatic pistol, centrefire rifle, or shotgun that has the capacity to accept a detachable ammo feeder(for the former two) and at least two other additions such as a folding or telescopic stock, a handgrip that can be held by the non-trigger hand, a thumbhole stock or pistol grip, or an anti-heat shroud on the barrel. Detachable ammo feeders count as one of the two additions for pistols.
Third, it requires people to take a basic firearm safety training course to obtain either a Firearm Identification Card(FID) or a Licence to Carry(LTC). Only people with LTCs can create 3D-printed guns or purchase semi-automatics.
Fourth, it mandates serial numbers for all firearms except antiques but including 3D-printed guns, which must receive a unique number within seven days of assembly.
Fifth, it allows school administrators and licenced healthcare providers to petition the court for an extreme risk protection order.
Sixth, it also creates a harassment prevention order, and courts could require people under these order to surrender their firearms.
Seventh, requires gun owners to report any thefts to authorities within seven days, or they'll lose their licences. Gun shops have to report thefts immediately upon discovery.
Eighth, it creates criminal penalties for anyone who fires a gun within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Ninth, minors from age 12 on are allowed to purchase and possess self-defence sprays, like mace, with a permit. Anyone applying between ages 12-15 requires parental consent.
Tenth and finally, it creates four commissions to study firearm data, violent crime prevention, and so on.
All of this is being brought up to the people for a vote. A No vote will repeal the law.
As it must every 16 years, Michigan will be voting on whether or not to have a Constitutional Convention.
Amendment 1 would renew the current 0.1% sales and use tax for 10 years to fund state parks and soil and water conservation. This as been required since it was first passed in 1984 and comes up every 10 years.
Amendment 2 would require Jackson County to have their assessor elected rather than appointed. Jackson County themselves voted to make the position an elected one in 2025, after assessor Frank White Jr. was recalled early in the year, due to increased issues over tax assessments which partially lead to the recent decision for the Kansas City Royals to go over the border to Kansas.
Amendment 3 would basically undo 2024's Amendment 3. You may recall that after Missouri voters kept abortion legal and implemented paid sick leave that year, the Legislature made steps to undo both. This amendment is the Legislature's attempt to ban abortion once more except in cases of rape or incest as long as it's within the first 12 weeks. On top of that, Amendment 3 would also ban gender transition surgeries and gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, only allowing similar treatments for non gender-transitioning purposes.
Amendment 4 would require future citizen-initiated amendments to be approved in every congressional district to be ratified. Foreign national and foreign adversaries would be prohibited from spending on ballot measures, and add penalties for ballot initiative related signature fraud to the constitution.
Amendment 2 would require Jackson County to have their assessor elected rather than appointed. Jackson County themselves voted to make the position an elected one in 2025, after assessor Frank White Jr. was recalled early in the year, due to increased issues over tax assessments which partially lead to the recent decision for the Kansas City Royals to go over the border to Kansas.
Amendment 3 would basically undo 2024's Amendment 3. You may recall that after Missouri voters kept abortion legal and implemented paid sick leave that year, the Legislature made steps to undo both. This amendment is the Legislature's attempt to ban abortion once more except in cases of rape or incest as long as it's within the first 12 weeks. On top of that, Amendment 3 would also ban gender transition surgeries and gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, only allowing similar treatments for non gender-transitioning purposes.
Amendment 4 would require future citizen-initiated amendments to be approved in every congressional district to be ratified. Foreign national and foreign adversaries would be prohibited from spending on ballot measures, and add penalties for ballot initiative related signature fraud to the constitution.
Nebraska has an amendment that would extend term limits for legislators from two terms( 8 years) to three(12 years).
Question 6 would create a right to abortion in the Nevada Constitution, granting the state the right to regulate it after foetal viability except if it endangers the mother's life.
Question 7 is an amendment that would require voter ID, either by photo ID when voting in person or by the last four numbers of a person's Social Security Number or Driver's Licence Number.
Both of these are citizen-initiated amendment, which require approval in two elections. They passed in 2024, so if they pass here, they'll be approved.
Question 7 is an amendment that would require voter ID, either by photo ID when voting in person or by the last four numbers of a person's Social Security Number or Driver's Licence Number.
Both of these are citizen-initiated amendment, which require approval in two elections. They passed in 2024, so if they pass here, they'll be approved.
New Mexico is voting on an amendment that would eliminate the Governor's pocket veto. Currently, if a bill is neither signed nor vetoed within three days of receipt, or 20 days of receipt if the Legislative session is near its end, then it's automatically vetoed. This amendment would make any law that doesn't get signed or vetoed law without the Governor's signature. The Governor would also be required to give a substantive reason to the Legislature for any veto they have.
North Carolina's got an amendment that would require voter photo ID for all voters. Currently, only those voting in person are required to present it.
On June 9, North Dakota will be voting on Constitutional Measure 1, an amendment creating a single-subject rule for all future constitutional measures.
On to November. The first measure is an amendment that would raise the threshold for constitutional amendments to pass to 60% from the current simple majority.
The second measure is an amendment that would effectively repeal 2022's Constitutional Measure 1. Legislators could now serve up to four terms, or 16 years, in either chamber instead of the current limit of two terms in each. Terms of less than four years would no longer count against them, and the Legislature would now have the right to send further term limit amendments to the public instead of the current requirement that only allows citizen initiatives to do so.
On to November. The first measure is an amendment that would raise the threshold for constitutional amendments to pass to 60% from the current simple majority.
The second measure is an amendment that would effectively repeal 2022's Constitutional Measure 1. Legislators could now serve up to four terms, or 16 years, in either chamber instead of the current limit of two terms in each. Terms of less than four years would no longer count against them, and the Legislature would now have the right to send further term limit amendments to the public instead of the current requirement that only allows citizen initiatives to do so.
SQ 832, to e decided on June 16, would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour over three years, adjust the minimum wage to cost-of-living after 2029, and make part-time employees, vendors, agricultural workers, feed store employees, students, minors, newspaper vendors and carriers, and domestic service workers subject to minimum wage requirements(they can be paid below it currently).
Measure 120 is a veto measure. In late 2025, the Legislature passed and Governor Tina Kotek signed HB 3991, which raised the state's gas tax from 40 to 46 cents per gallon, raised the transportation payroll tax from 0.1% to 0.2%, and increased registration fees on cars from $43 to $85, on trailers from $63 to $105, on motorcycles and mopeds from $44 to $86, motor homes from $77 to $216, and low-speed vehicles like golf carts from $63 to $105. Many were unhappy about this, so it's going up for a vote. A No vote would repeal the law.
Constitutional Amendment I would make the states Medicaid expansion to ACA levels, passed in 2022, contingent on the federal government's funding share staying above 90%. If it goes below that, then the state would not be obligated to continue.
Constitutional Amendment J would make it so only citizens could vote.
Constitutional Amendment K would create a new trust fund for unclaimed property. Starting in June 2027, the State Treasurer could allocate a portion of the income and interest in that fund to the General fund.
Constitutional Amendment L would raise the threshold for future amendments to pass to 60% from the current simple majority.
Constitutional Amendment J would make it so only citizens could vote.
Constitutional Amendment K would create a new trust fund for unclaimed property. Starting in June 2027, the State Treasurer could allocate a portion of the income and interest in that fund to the General fund.
Constitutional Amendment L would raise the threshold for future amendments to pass to 60% from the current simple majority.
Amendment number one would add a Marsy's Law to the State Constitution. A Marsy's Law expands the rights of crime victims, including the right to be present at all proceedings, the right to fair treatment, the right to be heard in any proceeding involving a suspect's release, parole, sentencing, or plea bargain, the right to be free from harassment, abuse, or intimidation throughout the criminal justice process, the right to reasonable notice of all public proceedings, and the right of the victim and their family's safety to be considered before parole or release hearings.
Amendment number two would prohibit the Legislature from enacting any form of property taxes.
Amendment number three would remove the right to bail to people who are charged with terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated child rape, grave torture, and any offence where a convicted person can't be released until serving 85% of their sentence if there's a significant presumption of guilt.
Amendment number two would prohibit the Legislature from enacting any form of property taxes.
Amendment number three would remove the right to bail to people who are charged with terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated child rape, grave torture, and any offence where a convicted person can't be released until serving 85% of their sentence if there's a significant presumption of guilt.
The first amendment would raise the threshold for any citizen-initiated ballot measures that either impose new taxes or raise existing ones, add new products or services to sales taxes, or change property tax rates in ways that reduce them less than they would under current law. All of these would now require a 60% majority to pass compared to the current simple majority requirement.
The second amendment would require constitutional amendments going up for a vote to be published for at least 60 days in accordance with HB 481, a companion bill which will go into effect if this passes. HB 481 requires amendments to be published as Class A Public Notices in all newspapers, a more stringent requirement that the current one that requires them to be published in at least one paper per county for two months.
The second amendment would require constitutional amendments going up for a vote to be published for at least 60 days in accordance with HB 481, a companion bill which will go into effect if this passes. HB 481 requires amendments to be published as Class A Public Notices in all newspapers, a more stringent requirement that the current one that requires them to be published in at least one paper per county for two months.
Proposal 3 is an amendment that would create the right to organise or join a union for collective bargaining purposes, prohibit laws that interfere with this right with regard to wages, safety requirements, hours, and other employment terms and conditions, and constitutionally ban right-to-work laws.
The first measure will be voted on on April 3 . This amendment would allow the state to sidestep its independent redistricting commission to draw a new Congressional map for the remainder of the decade in response to the recent Gerrymandering Arms Race. Normally, Amendments get voted on in November, but special legislation is being passed to put this on in April to give Congressfolks and candidates time to adjust their primary campaigns to the new maps if passed.
These measures will be voted on in November. Amendment number one would repeal the 2006 amendment that banned same-sex marriage in Virginia.
Amendment number two would guarantee a right to reproductive freedom that couldn't be infringed without a compelling state interest based on the protection of an individual's health based on evidence-based medicine. In such an event, it could only be limited by the least restrictive methods that don't otherwise infringe upon medical decision-making.
Amendment number three would restore the rights of convicted felons to vote upon their release from prison.
These measures will be voted on in November. Amendment number one would repeal the 2006 amendment that banned same-sex marriage in Virginia.
Amendment number two would guarantee a right to reproductive freedom that couldn't be infringed without a compelling state interest based on the protection of an individual's health based on evidence-based medicine. In such an event, it could only be limited by the least restrictive methods that don't otherwise infringe upon medical decision-making.
Amendment number three would restore the rights of convicted felons to vote upon their release from prison.
Initiative 1-the first citizen initiative since 1996-would allow homeowners that make a claim that they've lived in the state for one year and their primary residence for at least half of the proceeding tax year to exempt 50% of their primary residence's established value.
