English language policy ballot measures

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Measures by topic
Measures by year
Measures by state

As a state ballot measure topic, English language policy includes measures about the use of English in settings such as schools, government, and public services. It also includes measures to designate English as an official state language. The topic is grouped within the social issue policy area.

This page provides information on:

upcoming ballot measures,
historical trends, and
a comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state.

Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2025 ballot measures and 2026 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to English language policy certified for this year and future elections:

2026

Idaho HJR 6, English as Official State Language Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

History of English as official language ballot measures

See also: History of English as official language ballot measures and laws

As of 2025, 30 states had designated English as their official language. Three—Alaska, Hawaii, and South Dakota—also recognize some indigenous languages as co-official languages. Most (27) of these states adopted their official language between the 1980s and 2000s, with a median year of 1988.

In 1991, Michele Arington wrote that "[a]lthough a proposed [federal] constitutional amendment, the 'English Language Amendment,' has stalled repeatedly in the Congress," supporters had "considerable success at the state and local levels." Arington added, "The preferred method of enacting such legislation, especially in recent years, has been the initiative and referendum."^[1] The trend emerged in the 1980s with California Proposition 63 and continued into the 2000s, with the most recent vote taking place in 2010 in Oklahoma.

Of the 30 states that designated English as their official language, 11 (37%) did so through voter-approved ballot measures. Measures were approved in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, and twice in Arizona. The average vote on these measures was 73.1%, with support ranging from 50.5% to 88.5%.

On March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump (R) issued an executive order "[designating] English as the official language of the United States."^[2]

The following is a list of state ballot measures to designate English as an official state language: The following is a list of state ballot measures to designate English as an official state language:

State official language ballot measures
State	Year	Measure	Origin	Language(s)	Yes	No	Outcome
Nebraska	1920	Amendment 3: English as Official State Language	Convention	English	83.63%	16.37%	a
Hawaii	1978	Amendment 31: Preamble, Official Languages, and Motto Measure	Convention	English and Hawaiian	69.72%	30.28%	a
California	1986	Proposition 63: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	73.25%	26.75%	a
Arizona	1988	Proposition 106: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	50.50%	49.50%	a
Colorado	1988	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	61.15%	38.85%	a
Florida	1988	Amendment 11: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	83.87%	16.13%	a
Alabama	1990	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	88.52%	11.48%	a
Alaska	1998	Measure 6: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	68.60%	31.40%	a
Utah	2000	Initiative A: English as Official State Language	Initiative	English	67.18%	32.82%	a
Arizona	2006	Proposition 103: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	74.00%	26.00%	a
Missouri	2008	Amendment 1: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	86.31%	13.69%	a
Oklahoma	2010	State Question 751: English as Official State Language	Legislature	English	75.54%	24.46%	a
Idaho	2026	HJR 6: English as Official State Language Amendment	Legislature	English	TBD	TBD	TBD