Changes to ballot measure campaigns, procedures, and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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This article covers changes to ballot measure campaign activities, elections, procedures, and policies made in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find:

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Most recent updates

  • May 5, 2020: The Washington, D.C. Council passed a bill that made changes to the petition process for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation allowed for the electronic distribution and return of petition sheets, which needed to be physically signed.[2]
  • April 22, 2020: Arkansas Voters First, proponents of the Arkansas Redistricting Commission Initiative, filed a lawsuit on April 22 seeking relief from certain signature petition requirements, such as in-person signature, witness, and notary requirements.[6][7]

Changes to signature drives

The following map provides information on the states where at least one ballot initiative campaign has suspended signature gathering as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Submitting signatures for a future election

The campaigns behind the following citizen-initiated ballot measures announced that signatures would be submitted for a future election other than one in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic:

  • April 30, 2020 — California Changes to Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Cap Initiative: On April 30, 2020, Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, announced that the campaign had collected 988,000 signatures but chose not to file them before the recommended deadline on April 21, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the campaign would file the signatures to place the ballot initiative on the ballot for November 8, 2022.[3] Court commented, "This has been a really tough decision, but it’s really foggy out there now, with all the concern about the coronavirus. No one really knows how that will affect the November elections. … The medical negligence cap hasn’t changed in 45 years. We didn’t want to blow our chance."[8]

Suspension of signature drives

The campaigns behind the following citizen-initiated ballot measures announced that their signature drives were suspended:

  • April 15, 2020 — Missouri Marijuana Legalization Initiative: On April 15, 2020, New Approach Missouri announced that it was suspending its campaign. Dan Viets, chairman of New Approach Missouri, said that the campaign would target 2022 because there was no "practical way" to collect enough signatures before the May 3 deadline. The campaign needed to collect 160,199 valid signatures by the deadline.[9]
  • April 13, 2020 — Nebraska Income Tax Credit for Paid Property Taxes Initiative: On April 13, 2020, TRUE Nebraskans announced that it was suspending its signature gathering efforts. TRUE Nebraskans said, "With public gatherings and even personal contact limited, there is no reasonable expectation that we can finish the task, without needless risk to the health and safety of our circulator network and to Nebraskans, in general."[10]
  • April 3, 2020 — North Dakota Marijuana Legalization Initiative: On April 3, 2020, LegalizeND said, "If something major doesn't change, we will not be able to make the 2020 ballot. ... If Coronavirus continues through May, we will continue collecting signatures, but this will end up placing us on the July 2022 primary ballot."[11]
  • April 3, 2020 — Missouri Prohibit Taxes on Personal Property Initiative: On April 3, 2020, STOPP (Stop Taxing Our Personal Property), the campaign sponsoring the initiative, reported to Ballotpedia that it had suspended its signature drive. The campaign needed to collect 160,199 valid signatures by the May 3 deadline.[12]
  • April 2, 2020 — Idaho Medical Marijuana Initiative: On April 2, 2020, the Idaho Cannabis Coalition announced it had suspended its in-person signature drive. In an email to supporters, the campaign explained that it would try to collect signatures online. The campaign wrote, "We are now focusing on distributing petitions through online download at IdahoCann.co and encouraging every volunteer who has downloaded a petition to get them turned in to their county clerk’s office by mail, regardless of how many signatures they have collected." The required number of signatures is 55,057 for the May 1 deadline.[13]
  • March 26, 2020 — Oregon Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative: Yes on IP 44, the campaign sponsoring the initiative, announced that it was suspending in-person signature gathering efforts. In the announcement, the campaign said, "It has been part of our campaign strategy all along to move to digital signature gathering at some point. COVID just accelerated that transition." At the time of the announcement, the campaign had announced collecting 125,000 signatures but still needed 8,000 more signatures to meet their goal of raw signatures. A total of 112,020 valid signatures are required. Sponsors requested that supporters download the petition to sign and mail it to their campaign.[15]
  • March 26, 2020 — Oregon Firearm Storage and Transfer Initiative: Henry Wessinger, who filed the petition on behalf of State of Safety Action, announced that the campaign would not begin circulating the initiative petition after receiving a ballot title on March 20. Wessinger said, "We’ve made what is a disappointing, but I think correct, decision to not proceed with signature gathering on IP 40."[16]
  • March 25, 2020 — Montana I-187, Renewable Energy Initiative: On March 25, Montana Cares, the campaign sponsoring I-187, suspended its in-person signature drive. The campaign will continue collecting signatures through the mail as supporters download and sign the petition. The campaign has also requested that the governor enact an emergency rule to waive the notarization requirement for petitions that are mailed in. The campaign needs 25,468 valid signatures by July 17, 2020.[17]
  • March 25, 2020 — Michigan Graduated Income Tax Initiative: Eli Isaguirre, campaign manager of Fair Tax Michigan, announced that the campaign was suspending efforts to place the initiative on the ballot for November 3, 2020. Instead, Fair Tax Michigan would aim to place the initiative on the ballot for 2022. Isaguirre wrote, “This decision was made due to the need to follow the advice of public health officials and the order of Governor Gretchen Whitmer to practice social distancing. The campaign also recognizes the immediate need of many of our members to assist frontline communities in dealing with the effects of the crisis.”[18]
  • March 23, 2020 — California Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative: The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the campaign behind a ballot initiative to legalize sports betting suspended paid signature gathering.[19] Jacob Mejia, a spokesperson for the campaign, said, "Because the health and well being of Californians is foremost, we paused paid signature-gathering efforts for the time being." Meija added, "We are just shy of one million signatures and would have reached our goal well ahead of the deadline before the unprecedented orders around Covid-19."[20] At least 997,139 signatures need to be verified by June 25, 2020.
  • March 21, 2020 — California Stem Cell Research Institute Bond Initiative: Sarah Melbostad, a spokeswoman for Californians for Stem Cell Research, Treatments, and Cures, reported that the campaign's signature drive was suspended due to coronavirus. Melbostad said, "In keeping with the governor’s statewide order for non-essential businesses to close and residents to remain at home, we’ve suspended all signature gathering for the time being. ... We’re confident that we still have time to qualify and plan to proceed accordingly."[21] At least 623,212 signatures need to be verified by June 25, 2020.
  • March 20, 2020 — Michigan Lobbying Limits and Disclosure Initiative: The campaign Close Lansing Loopholes suspended efforts to place a citizen-initiated measure on the ballot. The campaign's statement said, "We set out to change the culture of Lansing, but we never imagined that overnight the entire world would change. COVID-19 has disrupted lives across the country and world and has significantly altered face to face interaction. This has made the already difficult task of collecting more than 425,000 signatures to put lobby reform on the ballot in 2020 a relatively impossible one."[22]
  • March 19, 2020 — Nebraska Medical Marijuana Initiative: Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the campaign behind the ballot initiative to allow the use of medical marijuana, suspended signature gathering efforts. In the announcement, the campaign said, "Out of an abundance of caution and following the wider recommendations from public health officials, we are going to pause our volunteer and paid signature-gathering efforts within local community gathering places until the state indicates it is responsible to continue."[23]
  • March 19, 2020 — Arkansas Redistricting Commission Initiative: Arkansas Voters First, the campaign behind the ballot initiative to establish an independent redistricting commission, suspended signature-gathering efforts. George Shelton of Arkansas Voters First said, "Obviously, this is a completely unheard of circumstance, so we're working to adjust our strategy. We'll use the next few weeks to make sure our signature gathering operation is completely fine-tuned. Once everything is lifted, we want to hit the ground running."[24] At least 89,151 signatures are due on July 3, 2020.
  • March 17, 2020 — Arizona Voting and Campaign Finance Policies Initiative: Anabel Maldonado, campaign manager of Arizonans for Fair Elections, said the campaign was suspending signature gathering. Maldonado said, "In order to keep from risking the health of our circulators and Arizona residents, we suspended both paid and volunteer signature collection late last Tuesday [March 17]. ... Our teams are on standby, just in case. Additionally, we are working with our partners to figure out what is the safest way we can organize digitally to help identify our supporters."[25]
  • March 17, 2020 — San Francisco Bay Area, California, FASTER Sales Tax Measure: On March 17, FASTER Bay Area announced in a statement that it was no longer aiming to put a sales tax increase to support public transportation before San Francisco Bay Area voters in November. The statement read, "With the global threat of COVID-19 hitting our community hard, we have had to re-evaluate our plans. Considering the uncertainty of the legislative season, the urgent need to focus all our attention on immediate challenge of COVID-19 and the complexity of what we are trying to accomplish with FASTER, it has been determined that we need to push out beyond the 2020 election cycle and continue our efforts on a different time frame."[26]
  • March 16, 2020 — Idaho Income Tax Increases for Education Funding Initiative: On March 16, Boise State Public Radio reported that Rebecca Schroeder, executive director of Reclaim Idaho, told volunteers to cease collecting signatures and follow CDC guidelines.[27] Reclaim Idaho asked the state for permission to collect electronic signatures.[28] Marissa Morrison Hyer, a spokesperson for Gov. Brad Little, responded, "Idaho statute does not allow for the suspension of rules regarding the physical collection of signatures, even in times of emergency."[27] Signatures could be collected through April 30, 2020. On March 18, Reclaim Idaho ended the campaign, stating, "The very nature of the ballot initiative process requires one-on-one contact with thousands of voters, which is contrary to the advice and guidance being given by scientists and health officials all over the country."[29]
  • March 16, 2020 — Oklahoma State Question 805: Criminal History in Sentencing and Sentence Modification Initiative: Sarah Edwards, president of Oklahomans for Sentencing Reform, announced, "Effective immediately, Yes on 805 will suspend all of its public activities, including signature gathering. The health and safety of our signature collectors and the public at large is our number one priority. We are doing our part to protect and support our communities by taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We’re confident in the status of the campaign and the strength of our movement, and look forward to fulfilling the will of Oklahoma voters by filing the signatures needed to put State Question 805 on the 2020 ballot."[30] The deadline to file signatures for ballot initiatives is September 4, 2020.
    • The Oklahoma Secretary of State announced on March 18 that the signature collection window for State Question 805 and the other measure that had been cleared for circulation (State Question 808) would be paused until the state lifted its declaration of emergency.[31]
  • March 15, 2020 — Arizona Hospital Worker Minimum Wage and Insurance Regulations Initiative: The campaign Arizonans Fed Up With Failing Healthcare (Healthcare Rising AZ) announced on March 21, 2020, that signature gathering was suspended on March 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Citing an article written by Dr. Christopher Salvino, the campaign tweeted, "Dr. Salvino is correct that it's not safe to gather signatures for ballot measures while we try to slow the spread of COVID19. That's why [Healthcare Rising AZ] pulled our petition circulators off the street last Sunday. Public health is our top priority."[32]

Use of electronic signatures

The following ballot measures had begun gathering signatures electronically due to coronavirus concerns:

  • April 13, 2020 — Michigan LGBTQ Nondiscrimination in State Civil Rights Law Initiative: Steven Liedel, legal counsel for Fair and Equal Michigan, said the campaign was transitioning to gathering electronic signatures due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said, "There's no requirement that it be a manual signature. (Or) that it be in ink or that a pen be used or that it be personally affixed to the petition paper. ... I've not had any indication that said it can't be done, from anyone in government."[34]

Delays to circulation periods

The following ballot measures had the start of their circulation periods delayed due to coronavirus concerns:

  • March 12, 2020 — Washington, D.C., Entheogenic Plants and Fungus Initiative: On March 12, the D.C. Board of Elections voted to postpone the start of signature gathering for the Entheogenic Plants and Fungus Initiative. In Washington, D.C., proponents have 180 days from the start of the circulation period to gather a number of signatures equal to at least 5 percent of the voters registered citywide. The campaign supporting the ballot initiative, Decriminalize Nature D.C., requested a delayed start to the circulation period. Seth Rosenberg, a campaign spokesperson, said, "The combination of public fear, lack of testing, and an expanding shutdown of 2020 election activities has made it obvious this isn’t the time to be knocking on doors and engaging DC voters. Now is the time for our campaigners to focus on themselves and their families’ well-being."[35]

Changes to campaign activity

The following ballot measures changed the activity of their campaigns due to coronavirus concerns:

  • March 23, 2020 — Missouri Medicaid Expansion Initiative: On March 23, Healthcare for Missouri announced in an email to supporters that the campaign was suspending public events until further notice but would be holding virtual events to engage supporters. Healthcare for Missouri wrote, "Thanks to a strong and early start to voter signature collections, we will be able to submit the required number of valid signatures by the early May deadline. ... We’ll look to hold virtual events to keep our grassroots supporters like you involved in our campaign."[36]

Changes to ballot measure procedures and policies

  • May 5, 2020 — Washington, D.C., 2020 ballot measures: The Washington, D.C. Council passed a bill that made changes to the petition process for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation allowed petitions to be electronically distributed to circulators and scanned and electronically returned to proponents. Voters still needed to physically sign printed petitions. The bill also allowed circulators to sign petitions that they themselves are circulating.[2] Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said, "These changes will allow eligible District residents to download petition sheets from campaigns at home, print them out, circulate them for physical signatures within their small social networks or families, and return them electronically to the campaigns."[37]
  • April 29, 2020 — New Jersey 2020 local ballot measures: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed an executive order to allow local initiative and referendum campaigns to collect signatures electronically. He said, "Now is not the time for anyone to be going door-to-door to campaign or collect signatures for any purpose. By allowing this process to move forward electronically, we can ensure that initiative and referendum campaigns proceed in a manner that protects public health."[4]
  • April 1, 2020 — Utah 2020 local ballot measures: Gov. Gary Herbert (R) suspended some laws governing local ballot measures in Utah including the law requiring referendum signature gatherers to physically witness the signing of petitions. The executive order allowed petition gatherers to distribute and gather physically signed petitions through fax and email.[39]
  • April 1, 2020 — San Diego 2020 local ballot measures: The San Diego City Clerk delayed the deadline for ballot measure submissions from April 8 to May 1. In San Diego, local ballot initiatives are indirect. The San Diego City Council must review and vote on whether to send the initiative to the ballot. The deadline delay shortens the period that the city council will have to review submitted ballot measures.[40][41]
  • March 18, 2020 — Oklahoma 2020 ballot measures: The Oklahoma Secretary of State officially tolled the signature gathering deadline for initiative petitions until the governor lifts the state's emergency declaration, which means the window for signature gathering for each initiative will get pushed forward instead of continuing to run during the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Petitioners in Oklahoma have 90 days to collect the required signatures. The Oklahoma Supreme Court also issued a ruling referencing the secretary of state's action stating that a request by proponents of State Question 805 regarding signature deadlines was moot in light of their deadline being delayed. Moreover, the secretary of state announced that the state would also pause the approval of any new initiatives for signatures gathering and, therefore, delay starting petitioners' 90-day window.[31]
    • Two initiative campaigns—Oklahoma State Question 805 and Oklahoma State Question 808—were approved for signature gathering and had their signature deadline delayed. State Question 805 would prohibit a convicted person's former felony convictions from being used to "enhance the statutorily allowable base range of punishment, including but not limited to minimum and maximum terms." State Question 808 would create a constitutional right to consume cannabis and would require those convicted of marijuana offenses to be exonerated and/or released from incarceration.[31][43]
  • March 17, 2020 — Colorado Title Board: The Colorado Title Board's meeting for March 18, 2020, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting was rescheduled for March 25, 2020.[44] The Colorado Title Board is responsible for determining whether a proposed citizen-initiated measure complies with the state's single-subject rule and developing a ballot title for the measure. Campaigns cannot begin collecting signatures for ballot initiatives without a ballot title.

Lawsuits and court rulings over ballot measure deadlines and requirements

  • May 7, 2020 — Nevada Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative: Fair Maps Nevada, the campaign sponsoring the redistricting commission initiative, filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske (R) to allow the campaign to gather signatures electronically and to extend the deadline by at least six weeks. The campaign needs 97,616 valid signatures by June 24, 2020. Petitioners argued, "The Governor’s actions make it extremely difficult to collect signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot in a traditional in-person manner. ... The challenged requirements impose a severe burden on Plaintiffs’ First Amendment Rights by impeding their ability earn a place on the ballot. What’s more, they prevent Plaintiff sand other Nevada voters from voting on the Initiative in the November election."[1]
  • April 26, 2020 — Massachusetts "Right to Repair" Initiative, Massachusetts Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative, Massachusetts Nursing Homes Medicaid Ratemaking Initiative, and Massachusetts Beer and Wine in Food Stores Initiative: All four active initiative petition campaigns aiming for the 2020 ballot filed a suit jointly against Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin seeking permission to gather the 13,347 signatures needed by July 1 electronically. Petitioners argued, "Without immediate relief from this Court, Petitioners and all other ballot proponents similarly situated will face an unduly burdensome Catch-22: either risk their health and the health of voters to satisfy unjustifiable and unachievable ballot restrictions and participate in democracy or protect their health and give up their fundamental right to access the ballot."[45]
    • On April 29, 2020, all four campaigns and Secretary Galvin agreed to a resolution that allows the campaigns to gather the second round of 13,347 signatures by distributing the petitions online to be electronically signed or printed and mailed or emailed back to the respective campaign.[46]
  • April 22, 2020 — Arkansas Redistricting Commission Amendment (2020): Arkansas Voters First, proponents of the redistricting commission initiative, filed a lawsuit on April 22 seeking relief from certain signature petition requirements, such as in-person signature, witness, and notary requirements. The group suspended signature gathering on March 19 due to the pandemic. The initiative was designed to take effect for 2021 redistricting if passed by voters in 2020. Arkansas Voters First Director Bonnie Miller said, “We have a right to petition our government to amend our constitution. We don’t have the luxury of waiting until next year. If we are denied access to the ballot this year, Arkansas could be stuck with unfair and unrepresentative districts for another ten years.” The Arkansas signature deadline for the November 2020 ballot is July 3.[47][48]
  • April 6, 2020 — Montana CI-118, Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment and Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative: New Approach Montana filed a lawsuit arguing that the state is violating the right to amend the Montana Constitution and enact laws by prohibiting electronic signature gathering. The plaintiffs also argued that under the Montana Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, which permits an electronic signature if state law requires a signature, petitioners are allowed to collect electronic signatures for initiatives through companies like DocuSign. Ted Dick, campaign manager for New Approach Montana, said, "[B]allot initiatives are a constitutional right for the people of Montana and we believe it is imperative that democratic processes are maintained even as we combat the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore we are taking legal action that proposes a pragmatic solution to a problem that we should not ignore."[49]
    • On April 21, Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton (R) and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox (R) asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit by New Approach Montana. The response argued that the lawsuit contains invalid requests for the court to legislate in violation of the separation-of-powers principle and that New Approach Montana put themselves in the position to fail to qualify their measure for the ballot by delaying signature-gathering efforts. The response also argued that the lawsuit filed by New Approach Montana made no claims about the constitutionality or fairness of the state's laws but only invalid claims about the unpredictable circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic and the hardships caused by executive orders that are authorized by the state constitution.[50]
  • April 2, 2020 — Colorado 22-Week Abortion Ban Initiative (2020): Denver District Court Judge Martin Egelhoff granted an emergency stay to allow Due Date Too Late to collect additional signatures during a cure period of 15 days after the state's emergency stay-at-home order expires. The state's stay-at-home order was set to be effective through April 11, 2020. In Colorado, if the number of valid signatures for an initiative is deemed insufficient, initiative proponents may collect additional signatures during a 15-day cure period after the insufficiency is declared. Due Date Too Late sued the Colorado Secretary of State's office to give the group more time collect additional signatures in case they did not submit enough valid signatures, citing coronavirus concerns. Due Date Too Late said, "The stay approved by Judge Martin Egelhoff is significant since it gives Due Date Too Late and its volunteers a fair opportunity to collect more signatures in public, which would be impossible during a potential cure period amid a statewide stay-at-home order."[54]
    • Due Date Too Late, sponsors of the 22-Week Abortion Ban Initiative, reported submitting more than 137,000 signatures on the March 4 signature deadline. On March 18, 2020, the Colorado Secretary of State's office announced that, based on a random sample of 5% of the submitted signatures, the projected validity rate was 97.5%. Since the projected total was between 90% and 110%, a complete count was} performed by the Secretary of State with a statement of sufficiency or insufficiency due by April 3, 2020. If the number of valid signatures for an initiative is deemed insufficient, initiative proponents in Colorado may collect signatures during a 15-day cure period after the insufficiency is declared.[54]
  • March 30, 2020 — Ohio Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2020): Sponsors of the Ohio Minimum Wage Increase Initiative filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas asking for the signature deadline to be extended, the number of signatures required to be reduced, and permission to gather signatures online. James Hayes, a spokesperson for the campaign, said, "It might be a long shot that the court will side with us, but we thought it was a shot worth taking. ... And we think that this would be a good decision, a worthwhile decision, in line with protecting the First Amendment rights of Ohioans across the state."[55]
    • On April 28, Judge David C. Young dismissed the case arguing that since the petition requirements for initiatives are in the Ohio Constitution "the ability to change those requirements is reserved only to the people." He added that there is no exception for public health emergencies.[56]
  • March 18, 2020 — Oklahoma 2020 ballot measures: The Oklahoma Supreme Court Oklahoma Secretary of State issued a ruling in a case brought by proponents of Oklahoma State Question 805 requesting relief regarding the signature deadline for their Criminal History in Sentencing and Sentence Modification Initiative. Previously, the Oklahoma Secretary of State officially tolled the signature gathering deadline for initiative petitions until the governor lifts the state's emergency declaration, which means the window for signature gathering for each initiative will get pushed forward instead of continuing to run during the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The state Supreme Court stated that the request by State Question 805 sponsors was no longer relevant in light of the secretary of state's action. Petitioners in Oklahoma have 90 days to collect the required signatures.[31][43]

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Nevada Independent, "Group backing independent redistricting commission files lawsuit seeking e-signatures, extended deadline," May 7, 2020
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington, D.C. Council, "Coronavirus Omnibus Temporary Amendment Act of 2020," accessed May 6, 2020
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Consumer Watchdog, "Survivors of Medical Negligence Push CA Ballot Initiative Vote from 2020 to 2022," April 30, 2020
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 New Jersey Governor, "Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Electronic Petition Submission and Signature Collection for Initiatives and Referenda," April 29, 2020
  5. ↑ Lowell Sun, "Accord clears way for e-sigs on ballot questions," April 30, 2020
  6. ↑ Arkansas Times, "Lawsuit filed by proponents of redistricting amendment to ease petition requirements for November ballot," April 22, 2020
  7. ↑ ABC News, "As coronavirus upends elections, ballot access becomes next point of concern," April 22, 2020
  8. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Coronavirus forces California initiative backers to hold off until 2022," April 30, 2020
  9. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "Missouri Activists Officially End 2020 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Due To Coronavirus," April 15, 2020
  10. ↑ Facebook, "TRUE Nebraskans status on April 13, 2020," accessed April 14, 2020
  11. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "North Dakota Activists Say Marijuana Legalization Initiative Unlikely In 2020 Due To Coronavirus," accessed April 6, 2020
  12. ↑ Ballotpedia staff writer,, "Email from Stop Taxing Our Personal Property," April 3, 2020
  13. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "Idaho Activists Suspend Campaign To Legalize Medical Marijuana Due To Coronavirus," April 2, 2020
  14. ↑ Tucson.com, "Several Arizona initiative campaigns suspend signature gathering due to coronavirus," March 27, 2020
  15. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "Oregon Drug Decriminalization And Treatment Campaign Impacted By Coronavirus," March 26, 2020
  16. ↑ Oregon Public Broadcast, "Safe Gun Storage Initiative Petition Unlikely To Make Oregon Ballot," March 26, 2020
  17. ↑ Montana Cares, "I-187 COVID-19 Advisory," March 25, 2020
  18. ↑ Facebook, "Fair Tax Michigan," March 25, 2020
  19. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Coronavirus halts California ballot measure signature-gathering in its tracks," March 23, 2020
  20. ↑ Legal Sports Report, "California Sports Betting Initiative In Jeopardy Because Of Coronavirus Lockdown," March 31, 2020
  21. ↑ California Stem Cell Report, "California's $5.5 Billion Stem Cell Initiative: Signature Gathering Suspended Due to Coronavirus," March 21, 2020
  22. ↑ Twitter, "Close Lansing Loopholes," March 20, 2020
  23. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Nebraska
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Texarkana Gazette,,"Signature gatherers forced to take hiatus; ballot proposals, candidates on hold," March 20, 2020
  25. ↑ Arizona Capitol Times, "Coronavirus puts brakes on signature gathering for ballot measures," March 26, 2020
  26. ↑ FASTER Bay Area, "Statement from FASTER Bay Area," March 17, 2020
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Boise State Public Radio, "Idaho Ballot Initiatives Could Be The Next Victim Of Coronavirus," March 16, 2020
  28. ↑ Reclaim Idaho, "COVID-19 update," accessed March 17, 2020
  29. ↑ U.S. News, "Petition Drive for Idaho Ballot Initiative Called Off," March 18, 2020
  30. ↑ KFOR, "Oklahoma group pushing for state question will stop collecting signatures amid COVID-19 outbreak," March 17, 2020
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Oklahoma Secretary of State, "State Questions," accessed October 29, 2019
  32. ↑ Twitter, "Healthcare Rising AZ," March 21, 2020
  33. ↑ Lowell Sun, "Accord clears way for e-sigs on ballot questions," April 30, 2020
  34. ↑ MLive, "Group trying to put LGBT initiative on Michigan ballots turns to electronic signatures," April 13, 2020
  35. ↑ Decriminalize Nature D.C., "Press Release: the Campaign to Decriminalize Nature DC Postpones Adoption of Circulating Petition Citing Public Safety," accessed March 15, 2020
  36. ↑ KBIA, "As Coronavirus Stifles Ballot Initiatives, Missouri Medicaid Expansion Effort Presses On," March 23, 2020
  37. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "DC Council Approves Bill That Will Help Psychedelics Decriminalization Initiative Qualify For Ballot Despite Coronavirus," May 5, 2020
  38. ↑ Due Date Too Late, "April 2 Press Release," accessed April 3, 2020
  39. ↑ Deseret News, "Referendum to stop Olympia Hills gets new life as governor expands signature gathering options amid coronavirus outbreak," accessed April 3, 2020
  40. ↑ San Diego Tribune, "Virus pandemic prompts San Diego to delay deadline to submit November ballot measures," April 1, 2020
  41. ↑ San Diego, "Submission of Ballot Proposals," accessed April 1, 2020
  42. ↑ Washington Secretary of State Elections, "Initiatives and Referenda Filed in 2020," accessed March 25, 2020
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Oklahoma Secretary of State, "Letter from the secretary of state to the public," March 18, 2020
  44. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Meeting Notice - March 18, 2020," March 17, 2020
  45. ↑ WWLP, "Ballot campaigns seek e-signature relief from SJC," April 27, 2020
  46. ↑ Lowell Sun, "Accord clears way for e-sigs on ballot questions," April 30, 2020
  47. ↑ Arkansas Times, "Lawsuit filed by proponents of redistricting amendment to ease petition requirements for November ballot," April 22, 2020
  48. ↑ ABC News, "As coronavirus upends elections, ballot access becomes next point of concern," April 22, 2020
  49. ↑ Marijuana Moment, "Montana Marijuana Activists File Lawsuit For Electronic Ballot Signature Gathering During COVID," April 15, 2020
  50. ↑ Montana Free Press, "New Approach Montana v. State of Montana: Defendants' Brief in opposition to emergency motion for relief," April 21, 2020
  51. ↑ Arizona Supreme Court, "Arizonans for Second Chances, Rehabilitation, and Public Safety et al. v. Hobbs," April 2, 2020
  52. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Arizona, "Arizonans for Fair Elections and Arizonans Fed Up with Failing Healthcare (Healthcare Rising AZ) v. Hobbs," April 17, 2020
  53. ↑ United States District Court for the District of Arizona, "Arizonans for Fair Elections and Arizonans Fed Up with Failing Healthcare (Healthcare Rising AZ) v. Hobbs," April 2, 2020
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Due Date Too Late, "April 2 Press Release," accessed April 3, 2020
  55. ↑ Idea Stream, "As Ohio Stays Home, Minimum Wage Ballot Organizers Sue To Extend Signature Deadline," March 31, 2020
  56. ↑ Court of Common Pleas Franklin County, Ohioans for Raising the Wage v. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, accessed April 28, 2020
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Statewide ballot measures
State
A • Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • C • California • Colorado • Connecticut • F • Florida • G • Georgia • H • Hawaii • I • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • K • Kansas • Kentucky • L • Louisiana • M • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • N • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • O • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • P • Pennsylvania • R • Rhode Island • S • South Carolina • South Dakota • T • Tennessee • Texas • U • Utah • V • Vermont • Virginia • W • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Ballot Measures overview
By topic
A • Abortion • Admin of gov't • Affirmative action • Alcohol • Animal rights • Assisted death • B • Bonds • Budgets • Business regulation • C • Campaigns • Civil rights • Constitutional conventions • Constitutional language • County government • D • Daylight Saving Time • Death penalty • Direct democracy • E • Earthquakes • Education • Elections • Eminent domain • English • Environment • Executives • F • Federal constitutional issues • Firearms • G • Gambling • Government accountability • H • Healthcare • Housing • Hunting • I • Immigration • Insurance • J • State judiciary • L • LGBT • Labor • Law enforcement • Legislatures • M • Marijuana • Marriage • Minimum wage • Mottos • Municipal government • N • Natural resources • P • Pensions • Property • Public finance • R • Recall • Redistricting • Religion • Rules about Sunday • S • Salaries of elected officials • Smoking bans • State budgets • State executives • State judiciary • State legislatures • Stem cells • Supermajority requirements • Sundays • T • Taxes • Tobacco • Transportation • U • Unions • Utilities • V • Veterans • W • Wages • War and peace • Water • Welfare
By type
By year
2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000
1999 • 1998 • 1997 • 1996 • 1995 • 1994 • 1993 • 1992 • 1991 • 1990 • 1989 • 1988 • 1987 • 1986 • 1985 • 1984 • 1983 • 1982 • 1981 • 1980
1979 • 1978 • 1977 • 1976 • 1975 • 1974 • 1973 • 1972 • 1971 • 1970 • 1969 • 1968 • 1967 • 1966 • 1965 • 1964 • 1963 • 1962 • 1961 • 1960
1959 • 1958 • 1957 • 1956 • 1955 • 1954 • 1953 • 1952 • 1951 • 1950 • 1949 • 1948 • 1947 • 1946 • 1945 • 1944 • 1943 • 1942 • 1941 • 1940
1939 • 1938 • 1937 • 1936 • 1935 • 1934 • 1933 • 1932 • 1931 • 1930 • 1929 • 1928 • 1927 • 1926 • 1925 • 1924 • 1923 • 1922 • 1921 • 1920
1919 • 1918 • 1917 • 1916 • 1915 • 1914 • 1913 • 1912 • 1911 • 1910 • 1909 • 1908 • 1907 • 1906 • 1905 • 1904 • 1903 • 1902 • 1901 • 1900
Other
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