State Government

Rules for citizen ballot measures

11 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: Ballot measures let voters decide questions like abortion, the minimum wage and marijuana directly, so these rules affect how easily voters can make or change laws without the legislature.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

How hard it should be for citizens to put proposed laws and constitutional amendments on the state ballot and pass them, and whether lawmakers can later change what voters approve.

  1. Make it easier to get measures on the ballot, and limit lawmakers' power to change voter-approved laws
  2. Keep current rules
  3. Make it harder, such as by requiring more signatures or 60% approval for constitutional amendments

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Make it easier to get measures on the ballot, and limit lawmakers' power to change voter-approved laws (4)

  • Mike Sell FL-4
    His campaign's platform calls for federal protection of citizens' right to put initiatives on state ballots, petition verification independent of the legislature and review deadlines that lawmakers cannot extend, and it criticizes Florida's 60% threshold for blocking a measure most voters backed.1,2
  • David Jolly FL Governor
    His campaign website says it should be easier for voters to place constitutional amendments on the ballot, and that the governor should work to carry out amendments that win more than 50% of the vote.3
  • Andy Ellis MD Governor
    His campaign website says he would work to put a constitutional amendment before voters allowing citizen initiatives for statewide constitutional amendments, and would allow electronic signatures on ballot petitions.4
  • LaVeta Davenport MI-1
    The Green Party of Michigan 2026 platform text on her campaign website, which says she fully aligns with it, calls for strengthening citizens' rights to initiatives and referendums against interference by elected and appointed officials.5

Statements that don't match one option (7)

  • Doug Jones AL Governor
    His campaign website says he would promote citizen-led ballot initiatives and referendums.6
  • Jeff Wadlin AR Senate
    His campaign website says he supports protecting Arkansas's citizen-initiative process.7
  • John R. Stegner ID Governor
    His campaign website says the legislature has a duty to carry out measures that Idaho voters approve by majority, and that he would stand by voters' decisions.8
  • Bethany E Mann MO-3
    Her campaign website says the number of signatures needed for the initiative petition process should decrease so it is easier for voters to be involved directly in legislation.9
  • Jim Pillen NE Governor
    His Pillen Playbook 2.0 calls for reforming what it calls the broken ballot petition process.10
  • Lynne Walz NE Governor
    Her campaign website says she would work to raise the number of votes the Legislature needs to overturn a voter-approved ballot measure, and would veto attempts to ignore voters' decisions.11
  • Dan Ahlers SD Governor
    His campaign website criticizes state leaders for working to undo voter-approved ballot measures and for making it harder to get issues on the ballot.12