Direct Democracy 50-State Survey

Legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available in New Hampshire. Proposed amendments must be submitted to voters at the “next biennial November election,” following approval by a 3/5 vote of …

Missouri has statutory and constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. The timing of an election on a ballot measure may depend on the form of ballot measure. While any statewide ballot measure may …

The Mississippi constitution provides for constitutional initiatives, but the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2021 found the provision to be inoperable. As a result, the constitutional initiative is not currently available to Mississippi voters. Legislatively referred …

In Minnesota, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available. Proposed constitutional amendments must be submitted to voters at general elections. Ballot language is generally prepared by the Secretary of State. …

Michigan has indirect statutory initiatives, constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. For indirect statutory initiatives, if the legislature does not enact voters’ proposal, it may submit to voters a different measure on the …

Massachusetts has statutory and constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. The initiative process is indirect: before being submitted for a vote, a petition is transmitted to the state legislature (or “General Court”), which …

Maryland is one of just two states where the people have the power of the veto referendum but not the initiative. Maryland also has legislatively referred amendments. The timing of an election on a Maryland …

In Louisiana, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available for the purposes of this report. The legislature designates the timing of the election in the underlying resolution, which must receive …

In Kentucky, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available. A proposed amendment—including its full text—must be submitted to voters at the next general election for members of the House of …

In Kansas, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available for the purposes of this report. The legislature has substantial control over the process, including the ability to call a special …