By Tyler Millhouse Although we have not yet begun to track 2012 ballot measure legislation, January has been far from uneventful for ballot measure law. The new year began with a series of important court actions sure to develop as the year proceeds. In a repeat of 2011, California is again proving itself a battle ground [...]

On December 23, 2011, the US Department of Justice rejected South Carolina’s new voter identification law. The law, subject to DOJ review under the Voting Rights Act, was blocked on the grounds that it would disenfranchise minority voters.[1] However, on January 10, 2012, South Carolina officials announced plans to defend the law. State Attorney General [...]

TRENTON, New Jersey: A proposed bill in the New Jersey Legislature seeks to allow schools to move their budget and school elections to the November ballot. Traditionally school votes are held in April but have long been criticized for their low voter turnouts and high costs to run. Previous attempts to move these elections to November [...]

By Tyler Millhouse Since the beginning of the year, 246 laws have been proposed in 40 states affecting the initiative and referendum process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.[1] The Citizens in Charge Foundation (CICF), a non-profit that promotes initiative and referendum rights, identifies proposed laws which either ease or tighten restrictions on [...]

TULSA, Oklahoma: Today marks election day for Oklahomans and the first election that residents are required to show valid ID before voting. Last November, residents approved a ballot measure which would require residents to provide proof of ID before voting. Highlights of local elections include residents in Tulsa voting on approval of their natural gas company’s franchise [...]

Edited by Bailey Ludlam Certifications are rolling in and this week is no exception for both the 2011 and 2012 Tuesday Counts. There’s no question about it, both years will include legislative referrals and citizen initiatives. Specifically, proposals for veto referendums have increased in the last couple of weeks. For this years ballot, the Washington [...]

By Tyler Millhouse Since the beginning of the year, 246 laws have been proposed in 40 states affecting the initiative and referendum process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.[1] The Citizens in Charge Foundation (CICF), a non-profit that promotes initiative and referendum rights, identifies proposed laws which either ease or tighten restrictions on ballot initiatives. So [...]

By Bailey Ludlam OLYMPIA, Washington: Earlier this week Washington House Democrats filed a lawsuit arguing that the supermajority vote required for tax increases is an unconstitutional limit on legislative authority.[1] The suit was filed in King County Superior Court with League of Education Voters and he Washington Education Association listed among the plaintiffs.[2] Specifically, the lawsuit centers around House Bill [...]

By Tyler Millhouse Since the beginning of the year, 229 laws have been proposed in 40 states affecting the initiative and referendum process, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.[1] The Citizens in Charge Foundation (CICF), a non-profit that promotes initiative and referendum rights, identifies proposed laws which either ease or tighten restrictions on ballot initiatives. So [...]

Edited by Bailey Ludlam The tides have turned. The 2012 Tuesday Count isn’t the only year seeing some action. The 2011 Count reveals a grand total of five recently certified ballot measures in the state of Louisiana. This bumps the total count to 21 certifications. In its last week of legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers referred [...]