Category: State
-
Two states adopted new laws related to ranked-choice voting, and more legislation is on the move elsewhere
Two states adopted new ranked-choice voting (RCV) laws in recent weeks. Elsewhere RCV legislation advanced in Republican trifecta states, and was vetoed in Virginia. Check out April’s RCV update below. Kentucky is sixth state to ban RCV On April 12, Kentucky legislators overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of House Bill 44 (HB 44), which…
-
Californians may see a ballot initiative to change Proposition 47, related to criminal justice and law enforcement policies
Californians for Safer Communities reported filing over 900,000 signatures on April 18 in support of an initiative that would make changes to Proposition 47, which California voters approved in 2014 by a vote of 59.6% to 40.4%. Proposition 47 classified certain crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies unless the defendant had prior convictions for murder,…
-
Initiative that aims to limit campaign contributions to super PACs certified in Maine for Nov. 2024
In Maine, voters will decide on an initiative to limit campaign contributions to $5,000 from individuals and entities to political action committees that make independent expenditures, also known as super PACS. The ballot initiative was indirect, meaning the legislature had the option to approve the initiative outright. The Maine State Legislature adjourned on April 17…
-
Missouri voters may decide on amendment to prohibit ranked-choice voting and noncitizen voting
The Missouri House of Representatives passed a resolution to make various election and voting-related changes to the state constitution, including prohibiting ranked-choice voting (RCV) and noncitizen voting. If the resolution is passed by the Senate, it will go to Missouri voters to decide on Nov. 5, 2024. The amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution…
-
Kentucky lawmakers override Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of bill removing the governor’s authority to fill U.S. Senate vacancies
On April 12, lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Kentucky Legislature overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of House Bill 622. The bill amends Kentucky law “to require the Governor to sign a proclamation for an election to fill a vacancy in the office of United States Senator” and “extend the term of the candidate who wins…
-
Kentucky is sixth state to ban ranked-choice voting as lawmakers override Governor Beshear’s veto
On April 12, Kentucky legislators adopted a prohibition on ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the state by overriding a veto from Gov. Andy Beshear (D). The new law makes Kentucky the sixth state to ban RCV, and the sixth to do so since 2022. Kentucky is the first state to adopt such a law with a…
-
Democrats regained a majority in the Michigan House of Representatives in two special elections
Democrats regained a majority in the Michigan House of Representatives in two special elections on April 16, 2024. Mai Xiong (D) won 58.9% of the vote to Ronald Singer’s (R) 41.1% in District 13 and Peter Herzberg (D) won 59.6% of the vote to Josh Powell’s (R) 38.3% in District 25. Democrats won a 56-54…
-
All candidates for Ohio House of Representatives District 72 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both of the candidates running in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 72 — Nathaniel Adams (D) and Heidi Workman (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. Here are the candidates’ responses to the…
-
Lowest number of Idaho state legislators retiring this year since at least 2010
There are 105 state legislative seats up for election this year in Idaho. Across those, six incumbents (two Democrats and four Republicans) did not file to run for re-election. That’s the fewest number of retirements since Ballotpedia began tracking this data in 2010. From 2010 to 2022, the average number of retirements per cycle was…
-
Decade-low number of open seats in Pennsylvania Legislature
There are 228 state legislative seats up for election this year in Pennsylvania. Across those, 17 incumbents (six Democrats and 11 Republicans) did not file to run for re-election. That’s the fewest number of retirements since Ballotpedia began tracking this data in 2010. From 2010 to 2022, the average number of retirements per cycle was…