1953 ballot measures
From Ballotpedia
This page provides a list of statewide ballot measures that appeared before voters in 1953.
In the United States, a ballot measure is a law, issue, or question that appears on a statewide or local ballot for voters of that jurisdiction to decide.
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Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks
The inventory of statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the state historical ballot measure factbooks.
List of ballot measures by state
Alabama
See also: Alabama 1953 ballot measures
December 15
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Constitutional rights | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that to entitle a person a vote at any election, they would have resided in the state for at least two years, in the county one year, and in the precinct or ward three months, immediately preceding the election, and they would have been duly registered as an elector, and shall have paid on or before the first day of February next preceding the date of the election at which they offer to vote, all poll taxes due for the two calendar years next preceding. Provided, that any elector who, within three months next preceding the date of the election at which they vote has removed from one precinct or ward to another precinct or ward in the same county, incorporated town, or city, would have the right to vote in the precinct or ward from which they have so removed, if he would have been entitled to vote in such precinct or ward but for such removal. |
| 70,951 (57%) | 53,532 (43%) | |
| Amendment 10 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the legislature may fix alter, and regulate the costs and charges of court, and the fees, commissions, percentages, allowances, or salary of, any officer of Chambers County; may provide the method and basis of compensation of such officers; may fix the terms of office of such officers; and may consolidate any of the offices held by such officers. When any such officer is compensated on a salary basis the legislature may provide for the distribution of the fees, commissions, percentages, and allowances collectable by him, and the funds from which the salary of the officer shall be paid, any other provisions of this constitution to the contrary notwithstanding. |
| 34,059 (51%) | 32,345 (49%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State legislatures measures | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that whenever a vacancy occurs in either house of the legislature, the governor would issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. However, if the secretary of state determines that a legally qualified candidate for election to the vacancy is unopposed when the last date for filing certificates of nomination has passed, the election shall not be held. The secretary of state shall issue a certificate of election to the candidate, the same as if an election had been held, and the certificate shall be accepted by the house in which the vacancy occurred as evidence of the unopposed candidate's right to fill the position created by the vacancy. In the event an election is held, all the costs and expenses incurred thereby would be paid out of any funds in the state treasury. |
| 62,551 (66%) | 32,889 (34%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Public economic investment policy | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that each municipality in Franklin County be authorized to acquire and dispose of all kinds of property to promote the development of the municipalities in Franklin County and the location of new industries or businesses, to become a stockholder in any corporation, association or company, to lend its credit or grant public money and things of value in aid of individuals, firms, associations and corporations, to become indebted and issue and sell securities, to levy and collect a special ad valorem tax and to pledge to the payment of its securities the proceeds of such special tax and other incomes, to create a public corporation or authority and to delegate to such a public corporation or authority all powers or authorities granted by such proposed amendment to such municipalities. |  | 31,363 (44%) | 39,718 (56%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that in addition to all taxes now or hereafter authorized by the constitution, the governing body of Talladega County is authorized to levy and collect a special school tax not to exceed three-tenths of one percent on the value of the taxable property, the proceeds of which would be used exclusively for public school purposes; and a special tax not to exceed two-tenths of one percent on the value of the taxable property, the proceeds of which would be used exclusively for the construction and maintenance of County roads and bridges. The governing body of Talladega County may fix the rates of the additional taxes authorized, at its discretion, without submitting the question of levying such additional taxes to a vote of the qualified electors of the County. |
| 36,051 (52%) | 33,802 (48%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Bond issues | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the municipality of Russellville in Franklin County shall have the power and authority to issue bonds not to exceed the amount of $150,000 in order to provide funds to be used for the purpose of acquiring any plant or building existing on the effective date of this amendment. The governing body of the municipality of Russellville is empowered and authorized to lease, rent, mortgage, or sell any plant or building acquired under the provisions of this amendment, and any income derived the above transactions would be used to retire or redeem the bonds provided for in this amendment but the principal and interest on such bonds shall be the general obligation of the municipality of Russellville. | | 31,477 (46%) | 37,361 (54%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Bond issues | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the Board of Education of Lawrence County may designate special school districts and may propose to issue and sell bonds, not exceeding $150,000, for the construction, improvement or the equipping of school buildings. Upon a majority vote by the electors in a district the said bonds may be issued and sold and Lawrence County may levy a tax not exceeding five mills per annum on each dollar's assessed valuation on property in the district, the proceeds of which tax may be pledged for payment of principal and interest. Such tax shall not be levied longer than necessary to pay said principal and interest. Said bonds shall be negotiable instruments and eligible for the investment of trust funds. |
| 41,666 (62%) | 26,023 (38%) | |
| Amendment 7 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that Mobile County would continue to have all rights granted by Amendment XVIII of the constitution and may become indebted within the limits of Section 224 for the construction or erection of public buildings, bridges and roads; debts incurred or bonds issued under this and Amendments XVIII and XXIX shall not be considered as a part of Mobile County's debt limit under said Section 224, and the six-and-one-half percent limitation in Amendment XVIII refers to the outstanding bonds issued. Amendment XVIII shall be applicable to roads, bridges and streets within or partly within municipalities, and to the constructing, improving and equipping school building to the extent of $1,000,000, and to the constructing and equipping of a courthouse and jail, including sites to the extent of $4,000,000; the question of issuing bonds for said buildings shall be submitted to the voters as a single question. Bonds issued under this amendment, or under Amendment XVIII and redemption premiums on those bonds would be payable from the tax levied under the said amendment, Mobile County governing body, in issuing school, courthouse and jail bonds hereunder, may, if necessary to prevent default agree to use the two-and-one-half mill tax under Section 215 of the constitution for the payment of principal and interest. |
| 40,686 (59%) | 27,707 (41%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that Marshall County would levy an additional special school tax to be used for constructing, repairing and equipping public school buildings not to exceed five mills on each dollar's worth of property after the question has been submitted and voted for by the qualified electors. The election and the collection of the tax is to be governed by Title 52, Chapter 10, Article 7, Code of Alabama 1940. If the tax is defeated or if less than five mills is voted for, the question of levying the tax or increasing the tax may be submitted at intervals of one year until the total tax levied hereunder is five mills. A levy hereunder collected for five years may be repealed by an election of the qualified electors called after a petition signed by not less than 20 percent of the qualified electors of the County is received by the County governing body. Upon a vote to repeal the tax shall cease after payment of outstanding pledges. If the vote is against repeal the question may in like manner be resubmitted at one year intervals. |
| 42,632 (62%) | 26,144 (38%) | |
| Amendment 9 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the governing body of Chambers County may levy and collect, for no more than 12 years, an additional special tax not exceeding five mills on each dollar's worth of real and tangible personal property assessed for state taxation, to be used solely for acquiring, constructing and equipping public school buildings (city and County), provided the said tax shall be voted on at an election called by said governing body and conducted in the same manner as County bond elections. After the expiration of a tax levied hereunder, no further tax is authorized. If said tax is authorized by said election the County may sell tax anticipation bonds without any further election in an amount designated by said governing body. Revenue from said bonds shall be spent by the Chambers County board of education for the purposes stated herein. Said bonds shall be payable solely out of said tax which shall be pledged therefor and the tax shall be used only for cost of assessment and collection, payment of principal and interest. Said bonds shall be negotiable instruments and eligible for investment of trust funds. Said bonds shall not be general obligations of the County and are in addition to all other bonds authorized. |
| 40,533 (60%) | 27,023 (40%) |
Arizona
See also: Arizona 1953 ballot measures
September 29
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 100 | State legislative structure | Change the size of the Arizona Senate and House |
| 30,157 (50%) | 29,713 (50%) | |
| Proposition 101 | State judiciary; Salaries of government officials | Permit the compensation of a justice of the peace to be changed during their term in office |
| 35,039 (59%) | 24,548 (41%) | |
| Proposition 102 | Administrative organization; Public education governance | Replace the State Board of Education and the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction with a Department of Public Schools and a Commissioner of Education | | 24,069 (40%) | 35,652 (60%) | |
| Proposition 103 | Public education funding | Provide for the removal of school attendance as a measured requirement for state funding | | 25,855 (43%) | 33,953 (57%) |
Kentucky
See also: Kentucky 1953 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Fund Referendum | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance; Education |
|
New Jersey
See also: New Jersey 1953 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Question No. 1 | Gambling policy | The amendment allowed bingo games. |
| 947,676 (72%) | 374,818 (28%) | |
| Public Question No. 2 | Taxes | The amendment extended the veterans' tax exemption to veterans' widows. |
| 1,041,071 (84%) | 193,547 (16%) |
New York
See also: New York 1953 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judicial selection | Temporarily assign justices or judges to terms of courts within the city of New York |
| 995,128 (78%) | 276,700 (22%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State judiciary structure | Increase the monetary civil jurisdiction from $3k to $6k for county courts outside New York City |
| 1,141,754 (75%) | 376,815 (25%) | |
| Amendment 3 | State executive branch structure; State executive elections | Call for the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor and provide for the legislature to fill vacancies in those two offices |
| 844,310 (56%) | 663,471 (44%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Drinking water systems; Local government finance and taxes | Grant powers to the legislature to contract indebtedness in public corporations and improvement districts concerning supply of water | | 56,798 (12%) | 431,766 (88%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Salaries of government officials | Fix the salary of the governor to a $50k maximum |
| 1,016,430 (65%) | 538,529 (35%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Salaries of government officials | Fix the salary of the lieutenant governor to a $20k maximum |
| 1,011,359 (66%) | 531,632 (34%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Local government finance and taxes; Debt limits | Give power to counties, cities, towns, villages and certain school districts to contract indebtedness and to raise taxes on real estate |
| 989,741 (65%) | 524,193 (35%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Housing development funding | Raise and standardize the maximum amount New York City and its counties can collect in property taxes to a combined limit of 2.5% of assessed real-estate value |
| 947,531 (63%) | 560,023 (37%) | |
| Amendment 9 | Parks, land, and natural area conservation; State legislative authority | Remove the power of legislature to use of portions of forest preserve for the construction of reservoirs to regulate the flow of streams |
| 1,002,462 (59%) | 697,270 (41%) |
Ohio
See also: Ohio 1953 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonds for the Highway System Amendment | Transportation; Bond issues | Issue up to $500,000,000 in bonds for the highway system. |
| 1,035,869 (60%) | 676,496 (40%) | |
| Creation of State Board of Education Amendment | Administration of government; Education | Create a State Board of Education with the ability to appoint a Superintendent of Public Instruction. |
| 913,134 (57%) | 693,624 (43%) | |
| Removal of Constitutional Section Regarding Militia Officers Amendment | Elections and campaigns; State National Guard and militia | Repeal a section of the state constitution relating to the election of militia officers. |
| 755,725 (55%) | 622,245 (45%) | |
| Removal of Obsolete Provision Relating to Holding Elective Office Amendment | Constitutional wording changes | Remove an obsolete constitutional provisions relating to holding an elective office. |
| 835,195 (63%) | 493,099 (37%) | |
| Remove Racial Qualification for State Militia Service Amendment | Constitutional wording changes; Race and ethnicity issues; Military service policy | Provide that all male citizens, without reference to race, are eligible for militia duty |
| 905,059 (58%) | 650,567 (42%) | |
| Repeal of Obsolete Judicial Constitutional Provisions Amendment | Constitutional wording changes; State judiciary | Repeal obsolete constitutional provisions relating to the courts. |
| 789,511 (59%) | 541,477 (41%) | |
| Repeal of World War I Veteran Bonus Amendment | Veterans policy | Repeal the World War i veterans bonus from the state constitution. |
| 984,014 (61%) | 616,113 (39%) | |
| Repeal State Constitutional Language Conflicting with U.S. Constitution Amendment | Constitutional wording changes; Federal government issues | Eliminate language in the Ohio Constitution at conflict with the U.S. Constitution |
| 1,004,862 (71%) | 405,210 (29%) | |
| Women's Eligibility for Office Provision Removal Amendment | Elections and campaigns; Sex and gender issues | Remove a provision restricting the eligibility of women to hold offices from the state constitution. |
| 1,092,268 (69%) | 500,380 (31%) |
Wisconsin
See also: Wisconsin 1953 ballot measures
April 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Redistricting policy | Provide that the legislature should determine the senate districts based on area and population and the assembly districts based on population |
| 433,043 (52%) | 406,133 (48%) | |
| Question 2 | State judiciary; Elections and campaigns | Provide that elected judges hold full terms of office |
| 386,972 (53%) | 345,094 (47%) |
Other years
Click on a year in the following table to view that year’s state ballot measures.
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