1956 ballot measures
From Ballotpedia
This page provides a list of statewide ballot measures that appeared before voters in 1956.
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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List of ballot measures by state
Alabama
See also: Alabama 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislatures measures | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that a senator would be elected by the qualified electors of every county in this state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1958, and in every fourth year thereafter. The terms of office of such senators would commence on the day after the general election at which they are elected, and expire on the day after the general election held in the fourth year after their election, except as otherwise provided in this constitution. The provisions of Section 50, Section 197, Section 198, Section 199, Section 200, Section 202, Section 203 and Section 284 of this constitution in conflict herewith are hereby superseded and repealed. It would be the duty of the legislature at its first session after the taking of the decennial census of the United States in the year 1960 and after each subsequent decennial census, to fix by law the number of representatives and apportion them among the several counties of the state according to the number of inhabitants in them respectively; provided that each county would be entitled to have at least one representative. Until such a re-classification of the House of Representatives is made as provided above the counties of Autauga, Bibb, Cherokee, Choctaw, Clay, Cleburne, Conecuh, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dale, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Pickens, Randolph, Washington and Winston would each have one representative; the counties of Baldwin, Barbour, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Coffee, Colbert, Covington, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Franklin, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Marwould, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tallapoosa and Wilcox would each have two representatives; the counties of Dallas, Lauderdale, Madison, Morgan, Talladega and Walker would each have three representatives; the counties of Calhoun, Etowah and Tuscaloosa would each have four representatives; the county of Montgomery would have six representatives; the county of Mobile would have nine representatives; and the county of Jefferson would have fourteen representatives." |  | 131,797 (37%) | 229,188 (63%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Bond issues | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the state wold be authorized to become indebted for building construction and improvement purposes at the Alabama state hospitals and at the Partlow State School for Mental Deficients, and to sell and issue, in addition to all other bonds of the state, interest-bearing general obligation bonds of the state not exceeding $4 million in principal amount. The bonds shall be general obligations of the state of Alabama and taxing power of the state are hereby pledged to the expedient payment of the principal of the bonds and the interest. The proceeds from the sale of such bonds are dedicated and shall be used exclusively for the acquisition of building sites; for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and improvement of building facilities, including renewal and replacement of structural parts; and for the procurement of equipment for such buildings at the Alabama state hospitals and at the Partlow State School for Mental Deficients; provided that the expenses incurred in connection with the sale and issuance of the bonds may also be paid from such proceeds. |
| 313,013 (83%) | 62,119 (17%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Bond issues | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the governor be authorized to issue interest-bearing bonds, not exceeding $2 million with an interest of not more than 2.5 percent, the proceeds of which would be used for the construction and equipping of hospitals, health centers, tuberculosis hospitals or sanatoria, and related medical facilities. Furthermore, local governments in the area where each hospital, health center, tuberculosis hospitals or sanatoria, or related medical facility is to be constructed or equipped would contribute at least as much money for the construction and equipping as does the state; and provided further that the state would not contribute more than $250,000 to the construction and equipping of any tuberculosis hospital or sanatoria and $100,000 for any other facility included within the scope of this amendment. In determining where a hospital, health center, tuberculosis hospitals or sanatoria, or related medical facility to be constructed with funds appropriated herein shall be located, consideration would be given to the communities on the basis of relative need. Each county having no hospital, health center, tuberculosis hospitals or sanatoria, or related medical facility shall have first priority. Counties receiving prior allotments hereunder would not be precluded from receiving an additional allotment for other facilities at the discretion of the State Board of Health. A sum not to exceed $40,000 may be used by the State Board of Health from the proceeds of the sale of sale bonds for administering the provision of this amendment. |
| 253,208 (74%) | 90,899 (26%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State judiciary | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the legislature may fix, alter, and regulate the costs and charges of courts in Walker County, and the method of disbursement. | | 93,022 (36%) | 166,582 (64%) | |
| Amendment 5 | State judiciary | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the legislature may fix, alter, and regulate the costs and charges of courts in Pike County, and the method of disbursement. | | 87,331 (43%) | 116,166 (57%) | |
| Amendment 6 | 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 and compensation to be charged or received by the judge of probate, sheriff, clerk and register of the Circuit Court, tax assessor, and tax collector of Colbert County, or any other County officer on a fee basis, and may place any of such officers, on a salary, and provide that the fees, commissions, percentages, and allowances collected by such officers would be paid into the County treasury from which their salaries shall be paid. | | 94,983 (45%) | 115,952 (55%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Bond issues | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that Tuscaloosa County may sell and issue its interest bearing bonds, to the extent of not exceeding $2.5 million in principal amount, for the purpose of constructing and equipping a County courthouse and jail in said County and acquiring land; provided, that before any such bonds would be issued the question of whether said bonds would be issued have first been submitted to a vote of the electors of said County at an election to be called for that purpose by the governing body of said County and the issuance of said bonds would have been authorized by a majority of said electors voting at said election. In the event the voters of Tuscaloosa County do not authorize the issuance and sale of said bonds at any election then other elections may be called by the governing body of Tuscaloosa County from time to time until the voters of Tuscaloosa County participating in the election as to the adoption of this constitutional amendment vote for such adoption of this amendment then this expression of the voters of Tuscaloosa County for this amendment would of itself authorize the issue and sale of said bonds and then no additional election by the voters of Tuscaloosa County would be required to authorize the issue and sale of said bonds and such bonds may be issued and sold as the full obligation of Tuscaloosa County without an additional election. In the event the voters of Tuscaloosa County do not authorize the issuance and sale of said bonds at any such elections herein referred to, authorized or called hereunder then other special elections would be called by the governing body of Tuscaloosa County do authorize the issuance and sale of said bonds; provided that no two special elections would be held within one year of each other except the first special election herein provided for; and provided further that such special elections would be held at least once every two years until said bonds are authorized. When authorized said bonds would be promptly sold and such court house and jail would forthwith be built. Tuscaloosa County would and is hereby specifically authorized to acquire adequate lands for said court house and jail and approaches and parking spaces. Such court house and jail may be built as one building or as separate buildings as the governing body of Tuscaloosa County may determine and would be properly and adequately equipped and furnished. The indebtedness herein authorized would be in addition to all other indebtedness authorized prior to the adoption of this amendment. |
| 130,791 (60%) | 87,014 (40%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that, in addition to all taxes authorized by the constitution and laws of Alabama, the municipality of Gadsden would have the power and right to levy and collect a tax of not to exceed .5 percent in any one year on the taxable property. The proceeds of which would be used for the paying of bonds issued and outstanding at the time of the adoption of this amendment, and the interest thereon. | | 54,381 (26%) | 152,605 (74%) |
August 28
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the legislature would have the power to levy and collect a tax on net income from whatever source derived within this state upon every corporation organized under the laws of Alabama, and upon every foreign corporation doing business in Alabama, and to designate and define the incomes to be taxed and to fix the rates of taxes provided that the rate would not exceed five percent of the amount of the entire net income. Such taxes would be first assessed, collected, and paid upon and with respect to taxable income earned on and after January 1, 1956. The provisions of Amendment XXV, as ratified August 2, 1933, which are inconsistent with this amendment are hereby repealed. | | 66,549 (33%) | 132,242 (67%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Race and ethnicity issues; Public education governance; School choice policy | Repeal the requirement for a public school system, provide that there is no constitutional right to state-funded education, allow public funding and property transfers to schools operated by private or local entities, and permit laws letting parents choose schools for their children based on race |
| 128,586 (61%) | 80,866 (39%) | |
| Amendment 3 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance |
| 112,162 (58%) | 82,121 (42%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | Taxes | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that the cities of Auburn and Opelika, each, would have, in addition to the power to levy and collect an ad valorem tax at the rate of 1.5 percent as provided for in Amendmentt VIII of this Constitution, the further power to levy and collect each year an additional tax or taxes to such extent that the total ad valorem tax rate of either of these cities would not exceed two percent in any one year on the property situated in such city based on the evaluation of such property as assessed for state taxation during the preceding year; provided, however, that all additional ad valorem tax or taxes levied and collected by either the cities of Auburn or Opelika are not in excess of 1.5 percent would be levied and collected solely for public school purposes and may be pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on bonds, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness issued for public school purposes, which pledge would take priority as provided in such bonds, warrants, or other evidences of indebtedness, and provided, further, that before any such additional tax or taxes may be so levied and collected a majority of the qualified electors of the city voting at an election called for that purpose would vote in favor of the levy thereof, and provided, further, that the total ad valorem tax or taxes to be levied and collected by either of these cities would not exceed two percent in any one year. Each election held under the provisions hereof would be ordered, held, canvassed and may be contested in the same manner as is or may be provided by the law applicable to municipal corporations for elections to authorize the issuance of municipal bonds. The ballots used at such elections would specify that the proposed additional rate of taxation would be authorized for public school purposes only and may be pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on bonds, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness, issued for public school purposes, which pledge would take priority as provided in such bonds, warrants, or other evidences of indebtedness, and would contain the words "For...% additional rate of taxation"; and "Against...% additional rate of taxation"; the additional rate of taxation proposed to be shown in the blank space provided therefor. The voter would record his choice, whether for or against the additional rate shown, by placing a cross mark before or after the words expressing his choice. The proceeds of any such ad valorem tax or taxes in excess of 1.5 percent so authorized at any such election would be used only for public school purposes and may be pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on bonds, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness issued for public school purposes, which pledge would take priority as provided in such bonds, warrants, or other evidences of indebtedness, as authorized at such election. Elections to authorize the levy of such additional tax or taxes may be held as often as ordered by the governing body of either the city of Auburn or the city of Opelika, but when a proposition is submitted to the electors of either of these cities to levy such additional tax for public school purposes, and such proposition is defeated, then no second election would be held in such city for one year thereafter. | | 64,625 (46%) | 74,573 (54%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Public economic investment policy | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that any municipality in Marion County, or any one or more of them, would have full and continuing power and authority, without any election or approval other than the approval of its governing body to do any one or more of the following: 1. To purchase, construct, lease, or otherwise acquire real property, plants, buildings, factories, works, facilities, machinery and equipment of any kind. 2. To lease, sell for cash or on credit, exchange, or give and convey any such property described in subdivision 1 above, to any person, firm, association or corporation. 3. To promote local industrial, commercial or agricultural development and the location of new industries or businesses therein. 4. To become a stockholder in any corporation, association or company. 5. To lend its credit or to grant public moneys and things of value in aid of, or to, any individual, firm, association, or corporation whatsoever. 6. To become indebted and to issue and sell interest bearing bonds, warrants, noted or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness, to a principal amount not exceeding fifty percent of the assessed value of taxable property therein as determined for state taxation, in order to secure funds for the purchase, construction, lease or acquisition of any of the property described in subdivision 1 above or to be used in furtherance of any of the other powers or authorities granted in this amendment. Such obligations or evidences of indebtedness may (in addition to any pledge or pledges authorized by subdivision 8 of this amendment) be issued upon the full faith and credit of the municipality or may be limited as to the source of their payment. 7. To levy and collect annually, in addition to all other taxes now authorized or permitted, a special tax or taxes of not exceeding two percent on the value of all taxable property therein as determined for state taxation, in the same manner as other municipal taxes are levied and collected, provided the levying of such tax or taxes be first approved by a majority of the qualified electors of such municipality voting at an election held for such purpose. Such tax may be levied upon all property in the municipality or upon all property in any district the boundaries of which the governing body of such municipality would describe and which it would determine to be especially improved and benefited by any proposed use or expenditure of the proceeds of such tax. 8. To construct a dam or system of dams, and to acquire a site or sites therefor, on any public stream flowing within the County for the purpose of impounding waters to be used in irrigation projects, or in generating hydroelectric power, or in providing recreational facilities, or for other purposes, and to accept any funds by way of gift, grant, or loan from the federal government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, for the purpose of constructing such dam or system of dams. 9. To pledge to the payment of any bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness the annual proceeds from any such special tax or taxes and to obligate itself irrevocably to continue to levy and collect such taxes annually until such obligations or evidences of indebtedness are paid in full and to pledge thereto any rental or sales proceeds of property leased or sold by it. 10. To create a public authority or corporation having such powers, managed and governed by such board or governing body and subject to such limitations as the governing body of any municipality in Marion County may impose, by approving and filing a certificate to that effect in the office of the judge of probate or the secretary of state, or then respective successors in function, and to delegate to such public authority or corporation and its board or governing body all powers and authority conferred in this amendment upon any such municipality. The recital in any bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness that they were issued pursuant to this amendment or that they were issued to provide funds to be used in furtherance of any power or authority herein authorized or that any special tax herein authorized has been pledged to the payment thereof would be conclusive; no purchaser or holder thereof need inquire further; and the levy and collection of such tax would continue until the principal of and interest on such obligations or evidences of indebtedness would have been paid in full. The bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder would not be considered an indebtedness of any municipality in Marion County for the purpose of determining the borrowing capacity of such municipality under sections 224 and 225 or the constitution; and the taxes herein authorized would be in addition to those provided for or permitted in sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution and all amendments thereto. | | 40,627 (29%) | 97,137 (71%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Public economic investment policy | The amendment proposed to amend the constitution. The amendment proposed that any municipality in Franklin County, or any one or more of them, would have full and continuing power and authority, without any election or approval other than the approval of its governing body to do any one or more of the following: 1. To purchase, construct, lease, or otherwise acquire real property, plants, buildings, factories, works, facilities, machinery and equipment of any kind. 2. To lease, sell for cash or on credit, exchange, or give and convey any such property described in subdivision 1 above, to any person, firm, association or corporation. 3. To promote local industrial, commercial or agricultural development and the location of new industries or businesses therein. 4. To become a stockholder in any corporation, association or company. 5. To lend its credit or to grant public moneys and things of value in aid of, or to, any individual, firm, association, or corporation whatsoever. 6. To become indebted and to issue and sell interest bearing bonds, warrants, noted or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness, to a principal amount not exceeding fifty percent of the assessed value of taxable property therein as determined for state taxation, in order to secure funds for the purchase, construction, lease or acquisition of any of the property described in subdivision 1 above or to be used in furtherance of any of the other powers or authorities granted in this amendment. Such obligations or evidences of indebtedness may (in addition to any pledge or pledges authorized by subdivision 8 of this amendment) be issued upon the full faith and credit of the municipality or may be limited as to the source of their payment. 7. To levy and collect annually, in addition to all other taxes now authorized or permitted, a special tax or taxes of not exceeding two percent on the value of all taxable property therein as determined for state taxation, in the same manner as other municipal taxes are levied and collected, provided the levying of such tax or taxes be first approved by a majority of the qualified electors of such municipality voting at an election held for such purpose. Such tax may be levied upon all property in the municipality or upon all property in any district the boundaries of which the governing body of such municipality would describe and which it would determine to be especially improved and benefited by any proposed use or expenditure of the proceeds of such tax. 8. To pledge to the payment of any bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness the annual proceeds from any such special tax or taxes and to obligate itself irrevocably to continue to levy and collect such taxes annually until such obligations or evidences of indebtedness are paid in full and to pledge thereto any rental or sales proceeds of property leased or sold by it. 9. To create a public authority or corporation having such powers, managed and governed by such board or governing body and subject to such limitations as the governing body of any municipality in Franklin County may impose, by approving and filing a certificate to that effect in the office of the judge of probate or the secretary of state, or then respective successors in function, and to delegate to such public authority or corporation and its board or governing body all powers and authority conferred in this amendment upon any such municipality. The recital in any bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness that they were issued pursuant to this amendment or that they were issued to provide funds to be used in furtherance of any power or authority herein authorized or that any special tax herein authorized has been pledged to the payment thereof would be conclusive; no purchaser or holder thereof need inquire further; and the levy and collection of such tax would continue until the principal of and interest on such obligations or evidences of indebtedness would have been paid in full. The bonds, warrants, notes or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder would not be considered an indebtedness of any municipality in Franklin County for the purpose of determining the borrowing capacity of such municipality under sections 224 and 225 or the constitution; and the taxes herein authorized would be in addition to those provided for or permitted in sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution and all amendments thereto. | | 53,370 (39%) | 82,061 (61%) |
Alaska
See also: Alaska 1956 ballot measures
April 24
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | State constitution ratification | Ratifies the Constitution of Alaska as proposed by the Constitutional Convention of 1955-56 |
| 17,477 (68%) | 8,180 (32%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Statehood; Federal government issues | Elect and send two senators and one representative to Washington D.C. regardless of federal statehood approval |
| 15,011 (61%) | 9,556 (39%) | |
| Proposition 3 | Fisheries and fishing regulations | Prohibit fish traps for commercial salmon fishing in Alaska coastal waters |
| 21,285 (84%) | 4,004 (16%) |
Arizona
See also: Arizona 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 200 | Family-related policy | Require marriage license applicants to submit a physician's certificate proving they are free from communicable syphilis |
| 166,789 (85%) | 29,388 (15%) |
September 11
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 100 | Public school teachers and staff | Allow the state to hire foreign educators in public schools and universities under the federal government's teacher exchange program |
| 82,834 (72%) | 31,434 (28%) | |
| Proposition 101 | Banking policy | Provide that stockholders of banks be held liable for the bank's obligations to the extent of the amount of their invested stock |
| 70,670 (64%) | 39,741 (36%) | |
| Proposition 102 | Administration of government | Authorize the legislature to redefine state boundaries with adjoining states |
| 79,021 (72%) | 30,758 (28%) | |
| Proposition 103 | Salaries of government officials | Provide for the increase of state legislators’ salaries to $2,200 per year and $12 per day for regular sessions, special sessions, and business meetings | | 41,297 (36%) | 72,954 (64%) |
Arkansas
See also: Arkansas 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 43 | Public education funding; Taxes | The measure would have changed laws regarding school taxes. | | 134,370 (37%) | 226,727 (63%) | |
| Amendment 44 | County and municipal governance | The measure would have changed laws regarding municipal retirement. | | 143,072 (42%) | 198,253 (58%) | |
| Amendment 45 | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements | The measure would have abolished the state's poll tax. | | 161,403 (43%) | 210,237 (57%) | |
| Amendment 46 | State judiciary; Salaries of government officials | The measure increased the salaries of judicial officers. |
| 198,566 (56%) | 155,627 (44%) | |
| Amendment 47 | Public education governance; Race and ethnicity issues; Federal government issues | Direct the legislature to "take appropriate action and pass laws opposing in every Constitutional manner the Un-Constitutional desegregation decisions of May 17, 1954 and May 31, 1955 of the United States Supreme Court" |
| 185,374 (56%) | 146,064 (44%) | |
| Amendment 48 | Redistricting policy | The measure modified how the state apportioned legislative districts. |
| 197,602 (58%) | 143,100 (42%) | |
| Amendment 49 | Gambling policy; Animal treatment laws | The measure would have prohibited gambling on dog and horse races. | | 178,208 (47%) | 199,106 (53%) | |
| Amendment 50 | Animal treatment laws; Gambling policy | The measure legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. |
| 219,835 (58%) | 161,630 (42%) | |
| Amendment 51 | Banking policy | The measure would have changed laws regarded maximum interest rates. |
| 219,835 (58%) | 161,630 (42%) | |
| Call for Federal Constitutional Amendment for State Authority to Provide Racially Segregated Schools Initiative | Public education governance; Federal government issues; Race and ethnicity issues |
| 199,511 (61%) | 127,360 (39%) | ||
| Initiated Act 1 | Workers' compensation laws | The measure increased worker's compensation. |
| 265,513 (74%) | 92,509 (26%) | |
| Initiated Act 2 | Race and ethnicity issues; Public education governance | Require school boards to assign students to public schools based on "any and all other factors, except the factor of race," and to permit consideration of certain other factors |
| 214,713 (64%) | 121,129 (36%) |
California
See also: California 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Veterans policy; Bond issues | Allow for bonds up to $500,000,000 to help veterans acquire farms and homes and establish the terms of such bonds. |
| 3,657,829 (80%) | 890,322 (20%) | |
| Proposition 10 | Administration of government | Allow the state to use private architects and engineers by contract when the state's staff is not able to complete the work in the required time. | | 1,840,688 (43%) | 2,468,080 (57%) | |
| Proposition 11 | County and municipal governance | Allow boards of freeholders one year to prepare a county charter. |
| 2,817,607 (74%) | 998,251 (26%) | |
| Proposition 12 | Bond issues | Adjust requirements regarding state bonds. |
| 2,006,548 (51%) | 1,930,235 (49%) | |
| Proposition 13 | Immigration policy | Repeal the inoperative law that previously denied immigrants who are ineligible for citizenship the right to own real estate. |
| 2,801,951 (67%) | 1,391,991 (33%) | |
| Proposition 14 | State legislative processes and sessions | Allow for the legislature to determine how to select legislative officers, attachés, and employees. |
| 2,350,498 (62%) | 1,425,127 (38%) | |
| Proposition 15 | County and municipal governance; Business regulations; Water | Allow the state and all political subdivisions to hold stocks in mutual water companies to secure water supply. |
| 2,694,485 (67%) | 1,326,547 (33%) | |
| Proposition 16 | State judiciary | Eliminate the current time limit on when a Supreme Court hearing can be ordered after the decision by the District Court of Appeal and allow the Judicial Council to set such rule. |
| 2,800,715 (72%) | 1,086,713 (28%) | |
| Proposition 17 | Constitutional wording changes; State judiciary; Salaries of government officials | Eliminate constitutional provisions relating to salaries of superior court and appellate judges and the former Supreme Court Commission. |
| 2,318,895 (62%) | 1,432,218 (38%) | |
| Proposition 18 | State judiciary | Allow a judge of a justice court who is not a lawyer to serve as a judge on a superseding municipal court. | | 1,253,946 (31%) | 2,734,306 (69%) | |
| Proposition 19 | Administration of government; Taxes | Allow the legislature to alter the state's boundaries with the cooperation of the adjoining states. |
| 2,952,479 (74%) | 1,023,182 (26%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Education; Bond issues | Allow for bonds up to $100,000,000 for loans and grants to school districts to house and equip schools for handicapped students. |
| 3,950,426 (82%) | 847,076 (18%) | |
| Proposition 3 | Bond issues; Higher education funding; Prison and jail funding | Allow for bonds up to $200,000,000 for building educational, mental, and correctional institutions and establish the terms of such bonds. |
| 3,483,108 (78%) | 987,813 (22%) | |
| Proposition 4 | Mineral resources; Administrative organization; Business regulations; Fossil fuel energy | Create the California Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to prevent the waste of oil and gas. | | 1,208,752 (23%) | 3,950,532 (77%) | |
| Proposition 5 | Alcohol laws; Business regulations | Establish provisions regarding the regulation of alcohol. |
| 2,391,825 (51%) | 2,338,137 (49%) | |
| Proposition 6 | Taxes; Property | Extend property tax exemption to church parking lots that are required to exist by law and that have not been used commercially during the last year. |
| 2,539,453 (55%) | 2,056,411 (45%) | |
| Proposition 7 | State legislatures measures | Rename the State Assembly as House of Representatives | | 1,588,696 (39%) | 2,504,017 (61%) | |
| Proposition 8 | State legislatures measures; State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Establish provisions relating to the budget session of the legislature. |
| 1,981,664 (51%) | 1,942,129 (49%) | |
| Proposition 9 | Local government organization | Allow county charters to establish a borough form of government in unincorporated parts of its territory. | | 1,475,505 (38%) | 2,389,553 (62%) |
Colorado
See also: Colorado 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment No. 1 | State executive official measures | Set a term length of four years for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, state treasurer, and attorney general. |
| 316,611 (62%) | 192,267 (38%) | |
| Amendment No. 2 | Property; Taxes | Allow the general assembly to exempt household furnishings and personal effects not used to produce income from taxation. |
| 320,134 (62%) | 196,423 (38%) | |
| Amendment No. 3 | Civil service; Administration of government | Amend the state constitution regarding state civil service. | | 156,077 (32%) | 334,498 (68%) | |
| Amendment No. 4 | Redistricting policy; State legislatures measures | Establish procedures for creating senatorial and representative districts. | | 158,204 (31%) | 349,195 (69%) | |
| Amendment No. 5 | Public employee retirement funds | Amend provisions relating to the establishment of an old age pension and establish a fund for stabilizing its payment. |
| 364,961 (66%) | 190,366 (34%) |
Florida
See also: Florida 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judiciary structure; Salaries of government officials; State judicial selection; State judicial authority | Revise the state court system |
| 372,838 (80%) | 96,037 (20%) | |
| Amendment 10 | Local government finance and taxes | Amend provisions relating to the general fund and finances regarding county officers in Escambia County |
| 289,190 (76%) | 93,270 (24%) | |
| Amendment 11 | Civil service | Allow for the establishment of civil service systems and civil service boards for non-elected and non-appointed municipal, county, and state employees and officers |
| 325,502 (75%) | 106,377 (25%) | |
| Amendment 12 | Civil trials | Provide for civil jury trials in Pinellas County and establish the administration of such trials |
| 286,668 (76%) | 91,998 (24%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Local government organization | Allow for home rule in Dade County |
| 322,839 (70%) | 138,430 (30%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State legislative processes and sessions | Establish the procedure for calling an extra session of the state legislature |
| 292,772 (69%) | 132,945 (31%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Redistricting policy | Reapportion the Florida Senate and House of Representatives | | 187,662 (39%) | 288,575 (61%) | |
| Amendment 6 | State judiciary structure | Provide for an additional judge for the Criminal Court of Record of Duval County |
| 298,185 (74%) | 107,348 (26%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Local government organization | Eliminate the Office of County Special Tax School District Trustees and transfer its duties to the County Board of Public Instruction |
| 311,746 (73%) | 117,488 (27%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Local government organization | Allow for the appointment of County Superintendents of Public Instruction in Duval, Sarasota, Dade, and Pinellas Counties |
| 282,295 (70%) | 122,897 (30%) | |
| Amendment 9 | Local government organization | Eliminate the office of County Solicitor in Dade County and transfer those duties to the State Attorney of the 11th Judicial Circuit |
| 279,344 (73%) | 102,999 (27%) |
Georgia
See also: Georgia 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judicial authority | Grant the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals jurisdiction to review final judgments of Juvenile Courts by writ of error. |
| 130,982 (78%) | 37,680 (22%) | |
| Amendment 17 | Public education governance; County and municipal governance | Merge the independent school system of Canton with the existing school system of the County of Cherokee. |
| 92,949 (74%) | 33,060 (26%) | |
| Amendment 19 | County and municipal governance; Public education governance | Merge the City of Cordele's school system with the adjacent school district in Crisp County into one unified system. |
| 91,458 (75%) | 30,792 (25%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Constitutional wording changes | Change the method of amending the Constitution. |
| 102,579 (63%) | 60,683 (37%) | |
| Amendment 3 | State judiciary structure | Authorize the creation of traffic courts in certain cities by the General Assembly. |
| 110,467 (66%) | 56,762 (34%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State legislatures measures | Allow the General Assembly to consider pending business at a later session. |
| 104,024 (68%) | 48,267 (32%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Salaries of government officials | Allow salary changes for officers without affecting current salaries. |
| 95,463 (65%) | 52,218 (35%) | |
| Amendment 50 | Taxes; County and municipal governance | Consolidate the Board of Tax Assessors for the City of Augusta and Richmond County for both real and personal property. |
| 87,228 (74%) | 31,021 (26%) | |
| Amendment 57 | Public education governance; County and municipal governance | Create one school district for Walton County, exclusive of the Independent School System of Social Circle, with a board composed of 7-9 members |
| 81,598 (73%) | 29,928 (27%) | |
| Amendment 6 | State legislative authority; State judicial authority | Allow emeritus judges to preside over their respective courts and authorize the General Assembly to provide for such service. |
| 103,087 (72%) | 40,615 (28%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Judicial term limits | Fix the terms of office for Judges of the Superior Court of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. |
| 101,480 (72%) | 38,668 (28%) | |
| Amendment 8 | State executive official measures; Fossil fuel energy | Authorize the governor to pay $250,000 to the first person or entity bringing in the first commercial oil well in the state. |
| 90,178 (58%) | 64,067 (42%) |
Idaho
See also: Idaho 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJR 4 | State judicial authority |
| 138,026 (68%) | 64,847 (32%) | |
| SJR 5 | State judicial authority |
| 122,962 (61%) | 78,189 (39%) | |
| SJR 6 | State executive official measures |
| 130,673 (59%) | 90,250 (41%) |
Illinois
See also: Illinois 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Banking Law Amendment | Banking policy | It proposed modifications to the banking law. |
| 1,472,236 (77%) | 443,650 (23%) | |
| Revenue Amendment | Taxes | This measure proposed to give more leeway to the legislature in creating tax policy. However, it specifically forbid the authorization of a graduated income tax. | | 1,408,132 (40%) | 2,139,150 (60%) |
Iowa
See also: Iowa 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referendum 1 | Veterans policy | The measure related to bonuses for veterans of the Korean War. |
| 773,950 (76%) | 249,770 (24%) |
Maryland
See also: Maryland 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | County and municipal governance |
| 303,535 (80%) | 75,038 (20%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State legislatures measures |
| 286,701 (80%) | 73,143 (20%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Administration of government |
| 282,447 (80%) | 68,868 (20%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance |
| 217,326 (61%) | 137,448 (39%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Constitutional wording changes |
| 286,720 (82%) | 62,579 (18%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Absentee and mail voting |
| 336,455 (85%) | 58,318 (15%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Salaries of government officials |
| 225,081 (60%) | 147,607 (40%) |
Michigan
See also: Michigan 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications for Members of the Legislature Amendment | State legislative elections | Establish qualifications for members of the state legislature |
| 1,720,297 (86%) | 276,229 (14%) |
Minnesota
See also: Minnesota 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislative authority; State judiciary oversight; State judicial authority; State judiciary structure | Authorize the state legislature to reorganize the power and structure of the judiciary |
| 939,957 (75%) | 307,178 (25%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Highways and bridges; Transportation taxes and fees; Fuel taxes | Authorize the consolidation of present trunk highway articles and sections; increase state aid and supervision of public highways; permit tax of motor vehicles and fuel; and apportion funds for highway purposes to state and local highways |
| 1,060,063 (82%) | 230,707 (18%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Severance taxes; State legislative authority; Public education funding; Higher education funding | Authorize the state legislature to divert 50% of the occupation mining tax proceeds earmarked for education from permanent trust funds to current educational needs |
| 1,084,627 (84%) | 209,311 (16%) |
Missouri
See also: Missouri 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislative processes and sessions; Salaries of government officials | Revise legislative session dates, expense allowance of legislators, and authorize legislation to set legislators' salaries | | 357,333 (35%) | 664,251 (65%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Highways and bridges; Property taxes | Allow counties to levy a tax up to $0.50 per $100 valuation for roads and bridges, with an additional $0.35 if approved by voters | | 401,647 (40%) | 613,015 (60%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Tax and revenue administration | Authorize excess State Funds to be invested in short term United States obligations or interest bearing time deposit |
| 722,774 (71%) | 295,259 (29%) |
January 24
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Public assistance programs; Bond issues; Public education funding | Issue $75 million in bonds to construct and maintain state eleemosynary and educational institutions |
| 114,570 (71%) | 46,609 (29%) |
Montana
See also: Montana 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Transportation; Taxes |
| 160,543 (77%) | 47,615 (23%) |
Nebraska
See also: Nebraska 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Transportation taxes and fees | Change the allocation of penalties and regulations for overloading vehicles on public roads and highways. |
| 238,008 (52%) | 219,552 (48%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Property taxes; Agriculture policy | Change the basis for taxing grain and seed. |
| 251,513 (57%) | 193,282 (43%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Property taxes | Allow the legislature to forgive unpaid taxes and assessment charges on real property after a specified period. | | 194,858 (49%) | 206,006 (51%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Salaries of government officials | Remove the restriction on how often the salaries of certain officers can be adjusted. |
| 236,364 (53%) | 209,162 (47%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Administrative organization; Tax and revenue administration | Authorize the legislature to appoint a Tax Commissioner or Commission and define its jurisdiction and powers. | | 194,812 (48%) | 213,936 (52%) | |
| Initiative 1 | Transportation taxes and fees | Establish a highway use tax on large trucks and buses, with revenue directed to road maintenance and related infrastructure. | | 241,128 (44%) | 311,528 (56%) |
Nevada
See also: Nevada 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Right-to-work laws | Repeal Nevada’s right-to-work law banning discrimination and compulsory union membership. | | 42,337 (46%) | 49,585 (54%) | |
| Question 2 | Collective bargaining; Constitutional rights | Establish a constitutional right for employees to unionize, bargain collectively, and require union membership in some cases. | | 38,554 (43%) | 51,047 (57%) | |
| Question 3 | Public education funding | Create county school funds, require tax contributions, and set rules for distributing school funds. | | 34,843 (48%) | 38,166 (52%) | |
| Question 4 | Public education funding | Allow the legislature to appoint the superintendent of public instruction, instead of requiring election by voters. |
| 40,244 (55%) | 32,896 (45%) | |
| Question 5 | Absentee and mail voting; Military service policy | Replace the word "enlistment" with "entry into such service" to ensure voting rights for all military service members. |
| 54,959 (77%) | 16,554 (23%) | |
| Question 6 | Constitutional wording changes | Allow the Nevada Legislature to tax federal government property if authorized by Congress. |
| 54,303 (77%) | 15,895 (23%) | |
| Question 7 | Restricted-use funds; Workers' compensation laws | Require industrial accident and disease funds to be held in trust and used solely for those purposes. |
| 53,724 (75%) | 18,316 (25%) | |
| Question 8 | Sales taxes | Retain Nevada’s Sales and Use Tax law, which provided for sales and use taxes, collection procedures, and penalties for violations. |
| 60,685 (69%) | 27,499 (31%) |
New Hampshire
See also: New Hampshire 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Absentee and mail voting | It proposed to allow absentee voting in primary elections. |
| 151,371 (86%) | 24,560 (14%) | |
| Question 2 | Civil trials; Jury rules | It proposed to preserve the right to a jury trial in civil cases contesting an amount over 500 dollars. |
| 144,515 (89%) | 18,467 (11%) | |
| Question 3 | State executive official measures | It proposed that the governor retain authority while absent from the state on official business. |
| 127,680 (77%) | 37,576 (23%) |
New Jersey
See also: New Jersey 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Question No. 1 | Law enforcement officers and departments | The amendment would have lengthened the terms of sheriffs from three years to five. | | 541,714 (35%) | 991,617 (65%) | |
| Public Question No. 2 | Taxes | The amendment would have allowed municipalities to determine assessed to true value property tax ratios. | | 591,077 (39%) | 941,579 (61%) |
North Carolina
See also: North Carolina 1956 ballot measures
September 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Expense Grants and Local School Suspension Votes Amendment | Race and ethnicity issues; School choice policy | Allow education grants for private nonsectarian schooling in specific situations. |
| 471,657 (82%) | 101,767 (18%) | |
| Legislative Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Compensate legislators $15 per day and presiding officers $20 per day for up to 120 days in regular sessions |
| 343,351 (71%) | 137,944 (29%) | |
| Legislative Session Start Date Amendment | State legislative processes and sessions | Start biennial legislative sessions on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in February. |
| 382,968 (82%) | 84,695 (18%) | |
| Spousal Powers of Attorney Amendment | Family-related policy | Allow married women to use powers of attorney granted by their husbands. |
| 412,655 (85%) | 70,316 (15%) |
North Dakota
See also: North Dakota 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative 2 | Public education funding |
| 130,753 (60%) | 85,721 (40%) | |
| Referendum 1 | Business regulations | | 83,159 (34%) | 160,344 (66%) |
June 26
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 7 | Salaries of government officials | | 52,394 (39%) | 80,658 (61%) | |
| Initiative 9 | County and municipal governance |
| 67,339 (52%) | 63,345 (48%) | |
| Referendum 1 | Veterans policy; Bond issues |
| 85,908 (59%) | 59,441 (41%) | |
| Referendum 2 | State judicial authority; State legislative authority | | 59,272 (46%) | 68,668 (54%) | |
| Referendum 3 | Bond issues; Transportation | | 53,563 (36%) | 96,950 (64%) | |
| Referendum 4 | American Indian issues | | 55,480 (45%) | 68,372 (55%) | |
| Referendum 5 | Property; Eminent domain policy |
| 68,111 (53%) | 60,371 (47%) | |
| Referendum 6 | Public education governance | | 60,720 (45%) | 74,107 (55%) | |
| Referendum 8 | Taxes; County and municipal governance | | 43,407 (34%) | 86,144 (66%) |
Ohio
See also: Ohio 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation for Veterans of the Korean Conflict Amendment | Veterans policy; Bond issues | Allow for the issuance of up to $30,000,000 in bonds for providing compensation to those who served in the Korean conflict. |
| 2,202,510 (71%) | 889,245 (29%) | |
| Senate Term Length Amendment | State legislatures measures | Establish four-year terms for members of the Ohio state Senate. |
| 1,636,449 (57%) | 1,214,643 (43%) |
Oklahoma
See also: Oklahoma 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 357 | Redistricting policy | Create six new congressional districts with adjusted populations based on the 1950 federal census, replacing districts with unequal populations. | | 391,453 (57%) | 297,628 (43%) | |
| State Question 377 | County and municipal governance | Establish county offices, including County Attorney, Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, and others, as well as county courts and judges. | | 273,481 (40%) | 407,091 (60%) |
July 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 369 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance; Veterans policy | Authorize the legislature to create the Oklahoma Veterans Loan Authority, with up to $50 million in bonds for veterans' farm or home loans. | | 133,248 (36%) | 236,021 (64%) | |
| State Question 370 | Education; State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Remove the provision allowing the Commissioners of the Land Office to invest educational funds in loans secured by first mortgages on real estate from resident veterans exceeding 50% of the land's valuation without improvements. | | 127,241 (39%) | 202,682 (61%) | |
| State Question 371 | Higher education governance | Establish a seven-member Board of Regents for the Oklahoma College for Women, with members appointed by the Governor for seven-year terms. | | 129,495 (40%) | 193,114 (60%) | |
| State Question 372 | Higher education governance | Create a seven-member Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Military Academy at Claremore, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval. | | 129,064 (41%) | 188,302 (59%) | |
| State Question 373 | Water; State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Allow cities and towns, with majority approval from property taxpaying voters, to exceed debt limits for water facilities and enter long-term water contracts without voter approval. | | 151,875 (46%) | 174,822 (54%) | |
| State Question 374 | Administration of government | Create a Department of Wildlife Conservation and an Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. |
| 172,164 (52%) | 157,097 (48%) | |
| State Question 375 | Business regulations | Allow corporations to own stock in competitive corporations or those in the same line of business. | | 106,155 (35%) | 198,355 (65%) |
Oregon
See also: Oregon 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Taxes; State legislatures measures | Authorize the legislature to place an emergency clause on any tax law and provide that tax suspensions can not occur due to a filed initiative petition. | | 175,932 (27%) | 487,550 (73%) | |
| Measure 2 | Administration of government | Authorize the state to accept, hold, and dispose of corporate stock that has gifted to the state. |
| 498,633 (77%) | 153,033 (23%) | |
| Measure 3 | Salaries of government officials | Repeal Section I, Article VIII, which set the annual salary of the Governor and Secretary of State at $1,500, Treasurer at $800, and Supreme Court Judges at $2,000. |
| 390,338 (60%) | 263,155 (40%) | |
| Measure 4 | Administration of government | Authorize the legislature to prescribe qualifications for county coroner and county surveyor. |
| 455,485 (71%) | 182,550 (29%) | |
| Measure 5 | Salaries of government officials | Increase the annual salaries of state legislators from $600 to $1,200. | | 320,741 (49%) | 338,365 (51%) | |
| Measure 6 | Taxes; Tobacco laws | Implement a sales tax of three cents on a package of cigarettes. | | 280,055 (40%) | 414,613 (60%) | |
| Measure 7 | Fisheries and fishing regulations; Business regulations | Prohibit fishing for salmon or steelhead trout in coastal streams except by hook and line, but continue to allow commercial chum salmon fishing in Tillamook Bay. |
| 401,882 (61%) | 259,309 (39%) |
Rhode Island
See also: Rhode Island 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal 1 | Bond issues |
| 167,009 (77%) | 51,197 (23%) | |
| Proposal 2 | Bond issues |
| 145,579 (65%) | 76,843 (35%) | |
| Proposal 3 | Bond issues |
| 114,476 (58%) | 83,158 (42%) | |
| Proposal 4 | Bond issues |
| 122,323 (66%) | 64,190 (34%) | |
| Proposal 5 | Bond issues |
| 158,927 (76%) | 49,719 (24%) | |
| Proposal 6 | Bond issues |
| 133,094 (71%) | 54,549 (29%) | |
| Proposal 7 | Bond issues |
| 169,554 (81%) | 39,551 (19%) |
South Dakota
See also: South Dakota 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referred Law 1 | Veterans policy | Expand Soldiers' Home authority, broaden eligibility, set financial and residency rules, and allow state liens for unpaid care | | 127,392 (49%) | 132,475 (51%) | |
| Succession of County Officials Amendment | Local government officials and elections; Local official term limits | Allow county elected officials to serve two years in office and succeed themselves | | 128,447 (49%) | 133,273 (51%) |
Texas
See also: Texas 1956 ballot measures
November 13
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 9 | Public assistance programs | Provide assistance of up to $20 a month to persons aged 18 years or older who is permanently disabled due to a mental or physical handicap |
| 159,588 (90%) | 17,860 (10%) |
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Public assistance programs | Grant aid and compensation to persons who paid fines or served prison sentences for crimes of which they were not guilty |
| 1,175,908 (87%) | 182,755 (13%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Taxes; County and municipal governance | Allow county commissioners to consolidate various taxes into a single rate of $0.80 per $100 valuation, removing requirement for voter approval for tax rate reallocation |
| 841,755 (66%) | 434,440 (34%) | |
| Proposition 3 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Provide a new payment method for higher education construction by reallocating Confederate pension tax and allowing university investments in corporate stocks and bonds |
| 983,764 (77%) | 289,629 (23%) | |
| Proposition 4 | Public employee retirement funds | Expand Teacher Retirement System with disability and death benefits, raise individual contribution limits, and change eligibility criteria |
| 1,350,372 (89%) | 166,788 (11%) | |
| Proposition 5 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Increase the Veterans' Land Fund from $100 million to $200 million |
| 878,688 (69%) | 403,130 (31%) | |
| Proposition 6 | Administration of government | Provide for different oaths of office for elected and appointed officials |
| 989,752 (83%) | 197,991 (17%) | |
| Proposition 7 | Civil and criminal trials | Require medical testimony for commitment of persons due to unsound mind, provide trial and commitment process, and permit waiving jury trial by the individual or kin |
| 1,077,546 (83%) | 214,029 (17%) | |
| Proposition 8 | State judiciary; Law enforcement | Allow courts, magistrates and judges to deny bail to a person who had been convicted of two previous felonies |
| 1,014,249 (79%) | 266,408 (21%) |
Virginia
See also: Virginia 1956 ballot measures
January 9
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Constitutional Convention for Nonsectarian Private School Tuition Grants Measure | School choice policy; State constitutional conventions | Call a state constitutional convention |
| 304,154 (68%) | 146,164 (32%) |
Washington
See also: Washington 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR 22 | Eminent domain policy | Permit the state, in the case of eminent domain, to take immediate possession of property before final settlement. | | 292,750 (39%) | 466,193 (61%) | |
| Initiative 198 | Right-to-work laws | Prohibit employers from requiring employees to join or refrain from joining a labor organization as a condition of employment | | 329,653 (32%) | 704,903 (68%) | |
| Initiative 199 | Redistricting policy | Adjust legislative district boundaries to equalize population |
| 448,121 (52%) | 406,287 (48%) | |
| SJR 14 | State legislative elections | Provide that vacancies in the state legislature shall be filled by a county commissioner of the political party of the preceding legislator. |
| 454,199 (61%) | 293,159 (39%) | |
| SJR 3 | Public employee retirement funds | Permit an increase in pensions paid to public officials during their term. | | 261,419 (32%) | 548,184 (68%) | |
| SJR 4 | Initiative and referendum process | Change signature requirements for initiatives and referendums |
| 413,107 (54%) | 351,518 (46%) | |
| SJR 6 | Executive official term limits | Remove the constitutional limitation prohibiting successive terms for state treasurers. |
| 411,453 (52%) | 374,905 (48%) |
West Virginia
See also: West Virginia 1956 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Jury rules; Sex and gender issues | This amendment made women eligible for jury service. |
| 327,113 (62%) | 202,002 (38%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Veterans policy | This amendment provided for the issuance and sale of state bonds for a cash bonus to veterans who served in the Korean conflict. |
| 476,936 (84%) | 88,968 (16%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Taxes | | 232,891 (48%) | 249,660 (52%) |
Wisconsin
See also: Wisconsin 1956 ballot measures
April 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Public school teachers and staff; Public employee retirement funds | Allow increases in teacher retirement benefits when approved by a three-fourths vote by the legislature |
| 365,560 (59%) | 255,284 (41%) | |
| Question 2 | Property; County and municipal governance | Allow for municipal acquisition of land for public purposes |
| 376,692 (66%) | 193,544 (34%) | |
| Question 3 | Law enforcement officers and departments; Local official term limits | Remove limits for consecutive terms for sheriffs | | 269,722 (45%) | 328,603 (55%) | |
| Question 4 | Transportation; Ethics rules and commissions; Elections and campaigns | Permit the giving of free transportation passes and communications to employees of railroads and other public utilities who are candidates for or hold public office to the same extent as the other employees as long as they are not in the performance of official duties | | 188,715 (33%) | 380,207 (67%) |
Other years
Click on a year in the following table to view that year’s state ballot measures.
See also
State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
Campaigns
- • Campaign finance
- • Endorsements
- • Polls
Footnotes
