February 15, 2013

By Zac Humphrey

ST. PAUL, Minnesota: Marriage equality supporters are set to hold a rally at the state capitol. Organizers are expecting 2,000 same-sex marriage supporters to be in attendance.^[1] This comes on the heels of a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage in the 2012 general election.^[2]

Some Minnesota Republican lawmakers are open to the possibility of supporting a move to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. This support could come at a cost, however. In the eight states that have used legislative action to legalize same-sex marriage, only 47 Republican members have voted in favor. Of those, only 21 are still in office. Many faced stiff primary challenges or shunning from their colleagues. Others chose to retire. There is the chance that the Democratic-controlled Minnesota State Legislature could pass the measure without any Republican vote, but there is the possibility that some rural Democratic members would not support the effort.^[2]

Gov. Mark Dayton recently reaffirmed his support of same-sex marriage in his state of the state address. Despite the defeat of the recent constitutional amendment, there is still the concern that widespread support of same-sex marriage exists.^[3]

January 29, 2013

By Zac Humphrey

ST. PAUL, Minnesota: The debate on gun control is continuing all across the country, with the Minnesota State Legislature taking up the issue in the coming session.^[1]

State Representative Michael Paymar (D), chair of the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, is planning to hold hearings over the course of three days to discuss a myriad of proposals on how to reduce gun violence. His goal is to allow all sides to present their proposals. From there, work can be done to craft a more complete bill to help lessen gun violence.^[1]

State Senator Scott Dibble (D), chair of the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee, is planning to hold similar hearings in the Minnesota Senate to those being planned in the Minnesota House.^[2]

Gov. Mark Dayton has said that any legislative efforts on gun control could face challenges from the courts. He has stated, however, that he is willing to have a discussion to see what can be done to bring down gun violence.^[2]

Some of the proposals being suggested in the Minnesota House include:^[1]

• Expanding background checks to gun shows and private purchase with respect to pistols and semi-automatic weapons
• A state ban on buying or selling assault weapons
• A state limit on magazine capacity
• Tightening current background screening process to prevent violent felons and people with severe mental health issues from being allowed to buy weapons
• Creating a minimum penalty for someone who commits a crime while carrying a weapon, even if the weapon wasn’t used
• Allowing teachers and school workers with the proper permits to carry loaded weapons on school grounds

By Zac Humphrey

ST. PAUL, Minnesota: The most recent general election has proven to be the largest in Minnesota state history, beating the previous high mark by 30,000 votes. This election also marks the Democratic party taking the majority in both houses of the state legislature.^[1]

The State Canvassing Board’s certification formally acknowledges vote totals, which up to this point had been unofficial. The results showed that 2,950,780 people voted in the general election. Of those, 267,464 voted absentee and 527,867 voted using same-day registration.^[2]

Despite being certified, there are still two state legislative races outstanding and going to a recount. The race for House District 8B currently stands Mary Franson (R) with an 11-vote lead over Bob Cunniff (D). The other race involves Senate District 20 where Kevin Dahle (D) has a 78-vote lead over Mike Dudley (R).^[1]

The State Canvassing Board will meet again to certify the recount results on December 4, 2012.^[2]

September 12, 2012

Minnesota State Representative Kerry Gauthier

By Greg Janetka

ST. PAUL, Minnesota: After initially refusing to leave the race, state Rep. Kerry Gauthier (DFL) dropped his bid for re-election following a sex scandal where he admitted to having oral sex with a 17-year-old boy at a rest stop. Gauthier, who represents the Duluth area, said, “I am done. I just need to take care of myself right now, and I am not really up for that kind of fight.” ^[1]

According to police, the incident took place on July 22 when Gauthier met with the boy behind a Duluth rest-area building. The boy had responded to Gauthier’s as on Craigslist seeking “no strings attached” sex. As the legal age of consent in Minnesota is 16 and no money was exchanged, Gauthier was not charged.^[2]

By Ballotpedia’s Congressional and State legislative teams

The primary season continued Tuesday with elections in Minnesota.

Voters in the North Star State whittled down the list of congressional candidates and shaped the composition of the state Legislature. Polls were open in most locations from 7am to 8pm Central Time.

U.S. SenateCongress

United States Senate elections in Minnesota, 2012

Incumbent U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) handily beat challengers Dick Franson, Jack Shepard, and Darryl Stantonin the Democratic primary. Kurt Bills, her Republican rival in the November general election, prevailed over David Carlsonand Bob Carney, Jr. in the Republican primary.

Three other third-party candidates will be competing for the Senate seat in November: Stephen Williams of the Independence Party, Timothy Davis, a grassroots candidate, and Michael Cavlan, a Minnesota Open Progressives candidate.

U.S. House

United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2012

Democratic U.S. Representative Keith Ellison and Republican U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann both sailed through their primaries yesterday.

Former state representative Allen Quist bested his primary opponent Mike Parry with 54% of the vote in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district. Quist will go head to head against Democratic incumbentTim Walz in the November general election.

In Minnesota’s northern 8th district, former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan captured the Democratic nomination by winning 38% of the vote against 32% for Tarryl Clark and 29% for Duluth City Councilman Jeff Anderson. Nolan will square off against freshman Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack in November.

In the 2nd district, Republican incumbent John Kline fended off a primary challenge from David Gerson. In the 3rd, fellow Republican Erik Paulsen beat John W. Howard III in the primary. Democratic incumbent Betty McCollum vanquished Diana Longrie and Brian Stalboerger in the primary with 84% of the vote.

State legislature

See also Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012 and Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2012

In Minnesota, there were 201 total legislative seats with elections in 2012. There were 23 (11%) contested Democratic primaries and 20 (10%) contested Republican primaries. Thus, there were 43 (11%) races with at least two candidates on the ballot. The 11% figure of contested primaries in Minnesota is significantly lower than the current national contested average of 19.4% for states that have had filing deadlines.

There were a total of 12 incumbents facing primary opposition — 8 Democrats and 4 Republicans.

Incumbents facing a primary opponent were:

Senate

District 5: Incumbent Tom Saxhaug defeated challenger Laverne H. Pederson

District 13: Incumbent Michelle Fischbach defeated challenger Fadumo Yusuf.

District 17: Incumbent Lyle Koenen kept his seat from challenger Larry D. Rice.

District 40: Freshman incumbent Chris Eaton faced a challenge from Timothy A. Davis, Sr., and survived.

District 47: Incumbent Julianne Ortman defeated Bruce R. Schwichtenberg.

District 64: Dick Cohen, in office since 1987, survived a challenge from Alexander H. Jeffries.

District 65: Incumbent Sandra Pappas defeated Marcus Walker.

House

District 7A: Incumbent Thomas Huntley was challenged by Brandon Clokey, and survived unscathed.

District 11B: Incumbent Tim Faust defeated Nathan Johnson.

District 33B: Steve Smith was defeated by Cindy Pugh. Smith was the only incumbent to lose last night.

District 37B: Torey Hall lost to incumbent Tim Sanders.

District 59A: Marcus Harcus was defeated by longtime incumbent Joe Mullery.

August 15, 2012

By Geoff Pallay

MADISON, Wisconsin: A total of 11 incumbents were defeated in legislative primaries last night, including the longest-serving state houseRepublican in Minnesota.

Two of the states that held primaries last night — Connecticut and Minnesota — nominate most general election candidates via a primary convention process. Thus, there are generally only a handful of actual primaries. This year was no different, as only 20 incumbents between the two states actually faced a primary, which is 6.27 percent of the 319 incumbents running for re-election in Connecticut and Minnesota.

On July 26, 2012, Ballotpedia released an analysis of the rate at which incumbents are being defeated by challengers in state legislative primaries. That study was conducted roughly halfway through the primary season, and found that 76 incumbents had been defeated through the first 48 percent of primaries. After each primary, we update those figures. This update focuses on Connecticut, Florida,Minnesota and Wisconsin. A total of 11 incumbents fell to opponents on August 14, 2012. That brings the total incumbents defeated in 2012 legislative primaries to 151.

Of the 151 incumbents that have lost a primary in 2012, 56 are Democratic incumbents and 95 are Republican incumbents.

Connecticut

A total of 161 Connecticut legislative incumbents filed for re-election. Nine incumbents faced a primary, and opponents were victorious in four of those races. Thus, 44.44 percent of opposed incumbents were defeated by their primary challenger.

There is still one race involving an incumbent that is too close to call. In House District 116, incumbent Lou Esposito (D) currently leads David Forsyth by 10 votes.

The four defeated incumbents is a tremendous uptick from the last set of legislative primaries in Connecticut. In 2010, no incumbents were defeated in legislative primaries in Connecticut.

Florida

A total of 111 Florida legislative incumbents filed for re-election. Thirty-six incumbents faced a primary, and opponents were victorious in three of those races. Thus, 8.33 percent of opposed incumbents were defeated by their primary challenger.

The three total incumbents who lost last night is significantly higher than in 2010 primaries, when no incumbents were defeated.

Minnesota

A total of 158 Minnesota legislative incumbents filed for re-election. Eleven incumbents faced a primary, and opponents were victorious in one of those races. Thus, 9.09 percent of opposed incumbents were defeated by their primary challenger. Steve Smith (R) was defeated by Cindy Pugh. Smith has served in the House since 1991.

In 2010, there were two incumbents defeated in Minnesota legislative primaries.

Wisconsin

A total of 94 Wisconsin legislative incumbents filed for re-election. Sixteen incumbents faced a primary, and opponents were victorious in two of those races. Thus, 12.50 percent of opposed incumbents were defeated by their primary challenger.

In 2010, one Wisconsin incumbent was defeated in a legislative primary.

What’s next

The next state legislative primary takes place Tuesday, August 21 in Wyoming.

Full study

• Primary Change: Anti-Incumbency Voting Patterns in State Legislative Primaries

August 14, 2012

By Ballotpedia’s Congressional, State Legislative, State Executive and Ballot Measure teams

August 14 continues the string of busy election days of the 2012 season. Here at Ballotpedia, we’ve got you covered in all aspects of the ballot.

Below you will find preview stories detailing what to expect in Tuesday’s elections.

Connecticut

Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

• 2012 elections preview: Connecticut voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries

Florida

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

• 2012 elections preview: Florida voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries
• August 14, 2012 ballot measures in Florida

Minnesota

Polls will be open open in most locations from 7am to 8pm Central Time. Some smaller municipalities have indicated that they may stay open as late as 10pm.

• 2012 elections preview: Minnesota voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has an open primary system, where any registered voter can choose which party primary to vote in, regardless of party membership. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Central Time.

• 2012 elections preview: Wisconsin voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries
• August 14, 2012 ballot measures in Wisconsin

July 24, 2012

Newsletter Signup

Edited by Al Ortiz

Four proposals have descended upon the ballot in three states this week, with one measure in the southwest region of the country enduring a rough landing.

Measures in Arizona, Maryland and Oregon will be put up for a vote this November, leaving the Tuesday Count total at an even 150 measures in 35 states.

A pair of ballot measures in the state of Oregon were granted ballot access just days apart when the Oregon Secretary of State verified the required amount of signatures needed to make the fall election.

The first of the two, a casino proposal, would amend the state constitution to authorize privately-owned casinos and require those casinos to give a percentage of monthly revenue to the State Lottery. According to reports, 116,521 signatures were verified on July 20. A minimum of 116,283 valid signatures were needed by theJuly 6 petition drive deadline.

The other initiative was a gillnet fishing initiative that would ban Columbia River commercial salmon fishing with gillnets by non-tribal persons and would allow the use of seine nets instead.

In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 87,213 valid signatures by July 6. On July 17, the Secretary of State reported that the measure had been qualified for the ballot with 94,304 valid signatures.^[1]

A Maryland veto referendum could stir up a debate this year, particularly among the Maryland State Legislature. A redistricting referendum solidified its place on the ballot this past week that would overturn Maryland’s congressional redistricting plan passed in October 2011.

With respect to Congressional redistricting, the Maryland General Assembly bears primary responsibility, proposing and passing the redistricting plan as ordinary legislation.

The last certification for this week’s report came out of Arizona. For details, see below.

[edit]A tale of two Arizona ballot measure languages?

Add one more measure to the 2012 ballot in Arizona.

However simple that process sounds, recent litigation showed it was anything but simple for the latest certified measure.

On July 18, Judge Robert Oberbillig ruled that Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett should not have refused to process the petitions for the proposed Quality Education and Jobs Act, a ballot initiativeintroduced by the Quality Education and Jobs Committee.

The judge ruled that the measure be placed on the November ballot because according to Oberbillig, proponents of the initiative gave Bennett the correct version of the petition and that there was no evidence that those who signed the petition were misled.^[2]

The initiative was previously disqualified by Bennett because ballot language on circulating petitions was different from language that the secretary’s office had on file. According to supporters of the initiative, differences between the circulated text and the official text was a “hyper-technicality”. Supporters argued that the circulated text was “substantially” the same.^[3]

The proposal would renew a 2010 voter-approved one-cent sales tax to provide funding for education for students in the state who meet certain requirements, scholarships for college students and reinvestment in vocational education and new jobs, according to reports.

The constitutional amendment, which won with 64.3% of the vote, was supported by Gov. Jan Brewer, who wanted the Arizona State Legislature to vote to refer the proposal to the ballot as a means to alleviate the state’s budget strain.

The fight isn’t over yet, as Bennett filed an appeal of the ruling, insisting that proponents of the initiative did not comply with state law. Reports also say that Bennett hired an expert in elections law to spearhead the appeal. Bennett stated, “To leave the lower court ruling in place I think risks huge voter confusion, huge confusion with our offices and other filing offices as far as how we’re supposed to process these initiatives.”^[4]

[edit]Quick hits

New poll shows heavy support for Minnesota Marriage Amendment: A recent poll released by SurveyUSA shows 52 percent of those polled were in favor of the amendment, 37 percent were opposed, 6 percent were undecided, and another 5 percent stated they would not vote. The poll surveyed 552 likely voters and carried a +/-4.3% margin of error.^[5]

Montana Secretary of State finishes counting signatures: On Friday, July 20, the Montana Secretary of State announced the final tally of which proposed measures made it to the ballot and which did not. According to the state’s website, only two citizen backed measures will be on this fall’s ballot. The first is a veto referendum, IR-124 and the second is an initiated state statute, I-166. There were four other possible measures that submitted signatures but did not meet the minimum requirements to appear on the ballot.^[6]

King County Youth Center upgrade headed to August ballot

Supporters of a local measure in King County, Washington are looking to get voter approval for a property tax increase which would go towards a new youth center.

On August 7, county voters will decide if they want an increase of $.07 per $1,000 of assessed value added to their current property tax rate. The tax, if approved, would last nine years.

Those in favor of the tax have pointed to the degrading conditions of the center such as the dispensing of brown water from drinking fountains, leaks found in roofs, lack of heating in the basement and other problems as a need for the increase. The center currently occupies four buildings, and if the measure is approved, those buildings would be sold in favor of a new facility built to house all the services and programs which are offered.

Opponents of the measure have pointed out that there are more essential items which need attention in the county and any addition to the property tax rate is too high. Opponents have also pointed out that the levy increase would only pay for building and furnishing a new facility and that maintenance and operational costs would be additional.

The Tuesday Count Spotlight highlights notable developments from local ballot measures across the country as well as international ballot measures.

The Vermont Constitution says that amendments can only be proposed once in a four-year period. When is the next time residents can vote on an amendment? Click here to find out!

BALLOT LAW UPDATE
Lawsuit aimed at Montana Corporate Contributions Initiative: On Monday, July 23, 2012, a lawsuit was filed with theMontana Supreme Court aimed at blocking the measure from reaching the ballot this fall. The lawsuit was filed by state Senator Dave Lewis, businessman Phil Lilleberg, and the group Montanans Opposed to I-166. The complaint filed with the court states that the measure “is not legally sufficient to appear on the state’s general election ballot, and that the statements prepared for the petition and the ballot do not meet the requirements of (state law).”^[7]

Legal marijuana supporters in Oregon file lawsuit against Secretary of State: Sponsors of Oregon Initiative 24, Citizens for Sensible Law Enforcement, have filed a lawsuit against Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown challenging the office’s disqualification of a large amount of signatures during a sampling process carried out in June. According to reports, 48% of the 122,000 signatures submitted early have been disqualified by the Secretary of State. Robert Wolfe, a chief proponent of the measure, said, “Under the policies of Kate Brown, the Oregon Elections Division works hard to remove every possible signature from initiative petitions and for reasons that make no sense. Instead, they should be working to include as many signatures as possible, thus preserving citizen access to the ballot through the initiative system, as demanded by the Oregon Constitution.”^[8][9]

A new update will be released on July 25. Click here for past Ballot Law Update reports!

July 17, 2012

Newsletter Signup

Edited by Al Ortiz

As the summer months heat up, so do the ballot measure certifications. The second week of July saw three additional measures added to the ballot as more statewide questions continue to gush in to the Tuesday Count.

With most of the 2012 state legislative sessions adjourned for the year, it comes as no surprise that the trio of ballot measures this week come via the citizen initiative process in three different states. The addition of those ballot measures this week results in a current total of 146 certified proposals in 35 states across the country.

Starting in chronological order, in Maryland, a same-gender marriage referendum was placed on the ballot by the Maryland Secretary of State‘s office on July 10.

The measure is in response to the enactment of the Civil Marriage Protection Act on March 1, 2012, which will allow same-sex couples to obtain a civil marriage license in the state beginning on January 1, 2013. The referendum will allow voters to decide whether the law will be upheld.^[1][2][3]

Maryland is one of two states that allow for only the referendum process. The other is the state of New Mexico.

Then, on July 11 in Montana, a corporate contributions initiative, or Initiative 166, was approved for the ballot by the Montana Secretary of State. The measure, proposed by the group Stand with Montanans, would determine state policy on prohibiting corporate contributions and expenditures in Montana elections. The measure seeks to charge state lawmakers with furthering the state’s policy on the matter and ask congressional delegates to support efforts to overrule the Citizens United decision by amending the U.S. Constitution.

To gain ballot access for the November 2012 ballot, supporters needed to collect 24,337 valid signatures from registered voters. In addition, those signatures were required to be submitted by the June 22, 2012 petition drive deadline.

Finally, on July 13, an act to create a seven-person statewide cannabis commission to regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis was granted a spot on the ballot.

In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 87,213 valid signatures by July 6. The measure was part of seven initiatives to file signatures by the deadline in Oregon.

While these measures have had enough signatures counted and verified for ballot placement, it seems one measure’s organizers in Arkansas still have a bit of work to do.

Supporters of the proposed medical marijuana legalization question was allowed 30 additional days to circulate petitions after it was found by the Arkansas Secretary of State‘s office that not enough valid signatures were collected.

The measure would allow the use of marijuana by people who choose to use it for medical purposes. Those who choose to use it for medical purposes would be free from legal penalty.

The group behind the measure, Arkansans for Compassionate Care, have until August 13 to obtain the additional signatures needed.^[4]

[edit]Petition drive deadlines

Citizen initiative season is anything but over, as less than a month remains before Colorado petition drive organizers must submit signatures for their proposed measures to make the ballot. The petition drive deadline in the state is August 6.

Among the measures circulating for the ballot are:

• A Water Law Amendment - would implement a public trust doctrine to water in the state. This means that the doctrine would state that unappropriated water in natural streams is public property that is to be used by state residents.

• A “Personhood” Amendment - would define the term “person” in the state constitution as the start of biological development.

• A “Religious Freedom” Amendment - would mandate that the government can’t exclude expressions of religious belief from public places.

[edit]Quick hits

Referendum on redistricting in Maryland appears headed for ballot: According to reports, 56,342 signatures for the Maryland Redistricting Referendum has been verified by the state Board of Elections by Wednesday, July 11. Given that only 55,736 valid names are necessary to send the measure to the ballot, certification appears certain. With 2,000 signatures left to count however, the board has not yet officially qualified the measure.^[5]

Minnesota Secretary of State gives measure regarding voter ID new ballot title: Last week, shortly after the announcement of a lawsuit against him for renaming the Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie changed the ballot title of the Minnesota Voter Identification Amendment. Secretary Ritchie has changed the title from “Photo Identification Required for Voting,” to “Changes to In-Person & Absentee Voting & Voter Registration; Provisional Ballots.” Supporters of this amendment have also discussed filing a lawsuit over the change.^[6][7]

Double trouble as possible ballot measure litigation looms in Glendale, Arizona

Two proposed measures in Glendale, Arizona may be heading to court as supporters fight the city over the right for the proposals to appear on the November ballot.

The first of the proposed issues was a measure seeking to reverse the city council’s decision to increase the sales tax rate of 0.7 percent, did not obtain the required number of signatures to qualify for the ballot. The city stated that a sales tax approved by the city cannot be put to a vote because it legal for them to implement an increase without voter approval. The city also said that there were errors on the petition.^[8][9]

The second proposal was an attempt by residents to force a public vote on the city’s lease agreement with the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes professional team. The city said that the group turned in their petition three days late. Additionally, the petitions did not contain the required number of signatures or the all the appropriate information on the petition forms. Proponents argued that the number of signatures required for approval should be based on 2010 election information and not 2008 voter numbers.^[8][9]

Both groups have five days to decide whether to take their issues to court. However, supporters of the measure regarding the professional hockey team said, that while it is unclear if the issue will be taken to court, they would still fight against the deal by other means available to them.^[8][9]

The Tuesday Count Spotlight highlights notable developments from local ballot measures across the country as well as international ballot measures. 

The Vermont Constitution says that amendments can only be proposed once in a four-year period. When is the next time residents can vote on an amendment? Click here to find out!

BALLOT LAW UPDATE

Michigan Supreme Court schedules arguments for Emergency Manager Referendum case: Upon receiving an appeal by Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility of the ruling made by the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for July 25. The court, however, has not actually granted the request for a repeal but instead will hear arguments on whether to grant the request or take other action. If the request is denied the question will automatically go to voters without further input from the courts.^[10]

Recount request filed for California Proposition 29: On Monday, July 9, Prop. 29 supporter John Maa filed a request for a recount in several Los Angeles County precincts. The request comes weeks after supporters of the proposition conceded defeat after a close outcome during the June 5 primary election. According to reports, the official “Yes on Proposition 29″ campaign group has denied involvement with the recount request. County Clerk Dean Logan says the recount will cost $5,700 for each day it takes, which could exceed one week.^[11]

A new update will be released in late July. Click here for past Ballot Law Update reports!

Edited by Al Ortiz

Three states chipped in one ballot measure each this week, as the Tuesday Count seems to be slowing down for the time-being.

However, that may change with the flurry of petition drive deadlines that will continue to arrive as the first week of July progresses.

Sifting through the complex ballot measure developments that occurred recently, the ballot measure total slowly grew by three to give a sum of 137 ballot measures in 34 states. California, New Hampshire and South Dakota were the culprits who added measures to the ballot, with two of those states placing measures on the ballot via the initiative process.

After three citizen initiatives were reported to be placed on the California ballot in the last Tuesday Count, state election officials still had work to do regarding a“government accountability” act. Signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot were submitted to county election officials around the state on May 7, and the those signatures were verified by the California Secretary of State on June 26.

The measure would establish a two-year state budget cycle and prohibit the California State Legislature from “creating expenditures of more than $25 million unless offsetting revenues or spending cuts are identified.” Read more provisions of the measure here.

This brings California’s ballot measure total to 14. The large proposition total on the ballot comes as no surprise, given the state’s recent ballot measure history.

Since 2008, all but one year’s ballot had measures for voters to decide on. That year was in 2011. However, in the four other years, the average ballot measure total in the Golden State came out to a little under 14 proposals.

On the other hand, very little ballot measure activity has happened in New Hampshire in recent years. The last time voters in the state had measures on the ballot was in 2006, when two measures were approved by those who cast ballots.

This year, two more measures will be decided on during the November election. The most recently-added measure was ballot-certified by the New Hampshire Legislature before session ended on July 1. The measure would ban new taxes on personal income.

Currently the state of New Hampshire charges the following personal income taxes: the gambling winnings tax that assesses a 10 percent levy on winnings of $600 or more and a 5 percent tax on dividends and interest.

In South Dakota, supporters of a veto referendum regarding a teachers’ tenure bill achieved ballot access when signatures were verified by the South Dakota Secretary of State.

The measure would block a bill that was signed into law and supported by South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard that would give bonuses to high performing teachers, ban tenure and recruit potential candidates for teaching jobs that are deemed important and critical. The veto referendum effort against the bill was organized by the South Dakota Education Association.

South Dakota’s ballot measure total for the November 6, 2012 ballot is seven.

[edit]Petition drive deadlines

The Fourth of July holiday is quickly approaching, so it seems fitting for direct democracy to take over the country. Supporters of statewide ballot initiatives in seven states this week face deadlines on different days.

Starting on July 3 and ending on July 6, there will be petition drive deadlines in Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon and Washington. The required amount of valid signatures must be turned in by supporters to the appropriate election officials on those days in order for initiatives to be placed on the ballot.

Five out of those seven states had initiatives on the ballot during the last ballot measure election in 2010. However, a different year could mean different results.

Below are signature requirements and deadlines for each state:

• Massachusetts: Supporters of Massachusetts proposals must gather signatures from about 1/2 of 1% of voters who voted in the last governor election. This amounts to about 11,000 signatures. Signatures must be submitted to the Massachusetts Secretary of State by today, July 3.

• Ohio: In Ohio, the statewide petition drive deadline for ballot initiatives seeking ballot access in 2012 is July 4, 2012. That is when supporters of initiated constitutional amendments need to turn in 385,247. For indirect initiated state statutes, the magic number is 115,574.

• Arizona: Arizona ballot initiative efforts have until July 5 to turn in the required amount of signatures for their proposals. Signature requirements for ballot initiative efforts are 259,212 signatures for initiated constitutional amendments and 172,808 for initiated state statutes.

• Arkansas: Petition drive organizers in Arkansas will need 78,133 signatures for initiated constitutional amendments and 62,507 for initiated state statutes by July 6.

• Nebraska: For initiatives filed as state statutes in the state of Nebraska, supporters are required to collect valid signatures from a minimum of seven percent of registered voters. The number is ten percent of registered voters for initiated constitutional amendments. July 6 is the deadline for those signatures to be submitted.

• Oregon: In order to place a measure on the general election ballot in Oregon, supporters must gather valid signatures equaling 8% of the votes cast for the office of governor in the state’s most recent gubernatorial election for constitutional amendments, 6% for state statutes, and 4% for veto referendums. This translates into 116,283, 87,213, and 58,142 signatures, respectively. Signatures must be turned in by July 6.

• Washington: In Washington, initiatives hoping to be granted ballot access, a minimum of 241,153 valid petition signatures are required to qualify an Initiative to the People for the 2012 statewide ballot.

Read more about circulating initiatives in these states here

[edit]Quick hits

Minnesota Secretary of State submits new ballot title: Although Governor Mark Dayton‘s veto of the Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment was not enough to keep the question from the ballot it did succeed in invalidating the title chosen by the legislature. As a result Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was allowed to write a new title for the amendment. The title chosen to appear on the ballot by Secretary Ritchie, which was submitted on June 28, is “Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples.” According to reports, republican supporters of the amendment in the legislature do not approve of the new title and are debating whether or not to file a lawsuit.^[1]

Initiative on banning gillnetting in Oregon submits signatures: On Monday, July 2, supporters of Initiative 21 reportedly submitted 45,000 names to the Oregon Secretary of State, bringing the total submitted so far to 134,000. This total is well over the 87,213 signatures required, meaning the measure has a high chance of making the ballot this November. According to supporters, the measure would ban the practice of catching fish by the gills and smothering them, a method they argue is outdated.^[2]

Wording of Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative approved by state supreme court: On July 2 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Robert J. Cordy released his decision approving new ballot language for a proposed amendment legalizing medical marijuana. The new language rewords the “Yes” statement on the ballot to, “A yes vote would enact the proposed law eliminating state criminal and civil penalties related to the medical use of marijuana, allowing patients meeting certain conditions to obtain marijuana produced and distributed by new state-regulated centers, or, in specific hardship cases, to grow marijuana for their own use.”^[3]

Residents in Phoenix to decide on pensions next year

Changes to public pension funds and services has been a increasingly hot topic issue, with two measures in San Jose andSan Diego California both approved by residents during their local June 5 election. In Phoenix, residents will decide on March 12, 2013 whether or not they want changes made to the city pension system. The city council voted unanimously to place this issue on the March ballot, though exactly what will be changed has not been decided. Proposed changes include changing retirement eligibility as well as setting the normal retirement age at 63 with early retirement allowed at 55 if 10 years of service have already been given. A consulting team has been hired by the city to conduct a study into the pension system and formulate proposed changes which will then be presented to the council in the fall. If the proposed changes are approved by voters in March, the changes would go into effect July 2013.

The Tuesday Count Spotlight highlights notable developments from local ballot measures across the country as well as international ballot measures. 

California has one of the biggest ballot measure totals this year. How many measures are certified? Click here to find out!

BALLOT LAW UPDATE
Initiative allowing wine to be sold at grocery stores approved by Oklahoma Supreme Court: In a narrow 5-4 ruling delivered on Thursday, June 28, by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, arguments that the Oklahoma Wine Purchase Amendment violates the state and U.S. constitutions were rejected. The initiative is known as Initiative Petition No. 396 and would allow grocery stores across the state to sell wine.^[4]

Amendment reordering California ballot measures signed into law: On June 27 Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1499 into law. The bill, similar in effect to SB 1039, would alter the appearance of ballot items so that all proposed constitutional amendments and bond measures, whether proposed by legislative referrals or by citizen initiatives, would appear near the top of statewide ballots. However, a lawsuit challenging the fairness of the bill has been filed and Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Frawley has ordered the California Secretary of State to refrain from numbering items on the ballot until the lawsuit is resolved.^[5][6]

A new update will be released in late July. Click here for past Ballot Law Update reports!