Direct Democracy 50-State Survey

In Iowa, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available for the purposes of this report. The Iowa legislature may call a special election for a vote on a proposed amendment, …

In Indiana, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available for the purposes of this report. The legislature generally controls how proposed amendments are submitted to voters. For instance, it may …

Hawaii does not have statewide initiatives or veto referendums but has legislatively referred amendments. Following approval by a legislative supermajority, a proposed amendment must be submitted to voters at the next general election. The ballot …

Georgia does not have statewide initiatives or veto referendums but has legislatively referred amendments. Following approval by a legislative supermajority, a proposed amendment must be submitted to voters at the next general election falling on …

Florida does not have statutory initiatives or veto referendums but does have constitutional initiatives and legislatively referred amendments. The timing of an election on a proposed constitutional amendment depends on whether it originates via initiative …

Delaware is a national outlier in that proposed amendments to the state constitution are not submitted to voters for their approval or rejection. Instead, amendments are adopted after approval by two consecutive legislatures, separated by …

In Connecticut, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy. In addition to the legislature, the Secretary of State also plays a role in the preparation process by drafting a portion of …

Colorado has statutory and constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. The state constitution was amended in 2016 to make constitutional amendment a “more difficult” process and now requires a supermajority threshold for voter …

California has statutory and constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. The timing of an election on a California ballot measure can vary somewhat depending on the kind of ballot measure, but special elections …

Arkansas has statutory and constitutional initiatives, veto referendums, and legislatively referred amendments. The timing of an election can vary depending on the kind of ballot measure; while measures are generally submitted at regular general elections, …