Delaware 1976 ballot measures
In 1976, voters decided on one statewide ballot measure in Delaware on November 2.
- The measure was a legislatively referred advisory question.
- Voters defeated the ballot measure.
On the ballot
November 2, 1976
| Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Machines Advisory Question | Advise the Delaware General Assembly to pass legislation to allow for state-regulated slot machines |
|
59,196 (43%) |
76,922 (57%) |
Historical context
The inventory of Delaware statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the Delaware Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
Between 1850 and 2025, Delaware voters decided on five ballot measures—the fewest of any state. Of those, three were approved, and two were defeated.
The Delaware General Assembly has voted to refer four ballot measures to the state ballot between 1850 and 2025. The fifth measure was referred to the ballot by a constitutional convention.
Three of the four measures (75%) referred by the general assembly were approved; the measure referred by the constitutional convention was defeated.
Delaware is the only state that does not require voter approval for state constitutional amendments.
The five ballot measures in Delaware were on the ballot in four different decades. The 1850s saw two measures on the ballot, more than any other decade.
Types of ballot measures in Delaware
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Delaware
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Delaware, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
Legislative referrals
Advisory questions
- See also: Advisory question
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Delaware General Assembly to place a non-binding advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 21 votes in the Delaware House of Representatives and 11 votes in the Delaware State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Questions require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Delaware General Assembly has referred a non-binding question to the ballot on at least two occasions. First, a question asking whether slot machines should be legalized in 1976. Second, a question asking whether charitable organizations should be allowed to conduct lotteries.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware General Assembly can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot.
A two-thirds majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Delaware General Assembly to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 28 votes in the Delaware House of Representatives and 14 votes in the Delaware State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
See also
Footnotes
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