Family-related policy ballot measures

Voters have decided on family-related policy ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, family-related policy includes measures regarding marriage, divorce, spousal rights, child custody, and adoption. The topic is grouped within the social issue policy area.

This page provides information on:

• Related ballot measures
• Upcoming ballot measures
• Comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state

Topic information

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Budget and tax policy

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Criminal justice and law enforcement policy

Civil law and trials Civil trials Tort law Criminal sentences and trials Bail policy Criminal sentencing Criminal trials Death penalty Juvenile criminal justice Parole policy Drug regulations Alcohol laws Drug crime policy Marijuana laws Psychedelic substance laws Smoking bans Tobacco laws Law enforcement and corrections Corrections governance Law enforcement funding Law enforcement officers and departments Prison and jail funding Prison work regulations Crime victims' rights Dueling bans

Education policy

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Environment and energy policy

Energy policy Carbon emissions regulations Energy conservation and efficiency Energy funds Energy market regulations Energy transmission projects Fossil fuel energy Hydroelectric energy Nuclear energy Solar energy Hunting and fishing Fisheries and fishing regulations Game and fish commissions Hunting regulations Right to hunt and fish Natural disaster policy Earthquake infrastructure Flood infrastructure and management Storm infrastructure Wildfire management Agriculture policy Animal treatment laws Food policy Forestry and timber Mineral resources Parks, land, and natural area conservation Pollution, waste, and recycling policy

Governance policy

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Infrastructure policy

Housing policy Homestead tax exemptions Housing assistance programs Housing development funding Rent control and regulations Transportation policy Airport infrastructure Highways and bridges Non-motorized transportation Ports and harbors Public transportation Railways Toll roads Transportation taxes and fees Vehicle and driver regulations Water infrastructure Drinking water systems Sewage and stormwater Water irrigation policy Water storage Eminent domain policy Land use and development policy Public land policy Telecommunications infrastructure Utility policy

Labor, healthcare, and public assistance policy

Labor union policy Collective bargaining Labor disputes and strikes Labor union deductions Right-to-work laws Healthcare policy Complementary and alternative healthcare Healthcare facility funding Healthcare governance Private health insurance Public health insurance Vaccinations and disease policy Work regulations Child labor regulations Gender-based labor regulations Minimum wage laws Paid sick leave laws Workers' compensation laws Working hours regulations Public assistance programs Public employee retirement funds Public works labor and contracting

Military and veteran policy

Defense-related funding Government continuity policy Military service policy Military-related advisory questions Nuclear weapons policy State National Guard and militia Veterans policy

Social issue policy

Abortion policy Affirmative action American Indian issues Assisted death policy Athletics and sports English language policy Family-related policy Firearms policy Gambling policy Immigration policy LGBTQ issues Race and ethnicity issues Religion-related policy Sex and gender issues Sexual content regulations Sunday regulations

Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2026 ballot measures and 2027 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:

2026

1. Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

List of state ballot measures

Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.

Years

States

2026

1. Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

2025

1. Texas Proposition 15, Parental Rights Amendment (2025)

2024

1. California Proposition 3, Right to Marry and Repeal Proposition 8 Amendment (2024)
2. Colorado Amendment J, Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment (2024)
3. Hawaii Remove Legislature Authority to Limit Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples Amendment (2024)

2020

1. Nevada Question 2, Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment (2020)

2014

1. North Dakota Measure 6, Parent Custody Presumptions Initiative (2014)

2012

1. Maine Same-Sex Marriage Question, Question 1 (2012)
2. Maryland Same-Sex Civil Marriage Referendum, Question 6 (2012)
3. Minnesota Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2012)
4. North Carolina Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Civil Unions Amendment (May 2012)
5. Washington Referendum 74, Same-Sex Marriage Measure (2012)

2009

1. Maine Question 1, Same-Sex Marriage Referendum (2009)
2. Washington Referendum 71, Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Measure (2009)

2008

1. Arizona Proposition 102, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2008)
2. Arkansas Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban, Proposed Initiative 1 (2008)
3. California Proposition 8, Same-Sex Marriage Ban Initiative (2008)
4. Florida Amendment 2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2008)

2007

1. Alaska Constitutional Amendment on Prohibiting Public Employment Benefits to Same-Sex Partners Advisory Question (April 2007)

2006

1. Alabama Constitutional Amendment 774, Sanctity of Marriage Amendment (June 2006)
2. Arizona Proposition 107, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
3. Colorado Amendment 43, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2006)
4. Colorado Referendum I, Establishment of Domestic Partnership Status Measure (2006)
5. Idaho HJR 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
6. North Dakota Child Custody and Support, Statutory Measure 3 (2006)
7. South Carolina Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Domestic Unions Amendment (2006)
8. South Dakota Amendment C, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Civil Unions Amendment (2006)
9. Tennessee Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
10. Tennessee Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Amendment 1 (2006)
11. Virginia Question 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
12. Wisconsin Question 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)

2005

1. Kansas Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2005)
2. Texas Proposition 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2005)

2004

1. Arkansas Amendment 3, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Georgia Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
3. Kentucky Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
4. Louisiana Amendment 1, Definition and Recognition of Marriage Amendment (September 2004)
5. Michigan Proposal 04-2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)
6. Mississippi Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
7. Missouri Amendment 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (August 2004)
8. Montana CI-96, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
9. North Dakota Constitutional Measure 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
10. Ohio Issue 1, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)
11. Oklahoma State Question 711, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
12. Oregon Measure 36, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)
13. Utah Amendment 3, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)

2002

1. Nevada Question 2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2002)

2000

1. Alabama Interracial Marriage, Amendment 2 (2000)
2. California Proposition 22, Definition of Marriage Initiative (March 2000)
3. Nebraska Initiative Measure 416, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2000)
4. Nevada Question 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2000)

1999

1. Texas Proposition 7, Spousal Maintenance Amendment (1999)

1998

1. Alaska Measure 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (1998)
2. Hawaii Question 2, Legislative Power to Reserve Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples Amendment (1998)
3. Oregon Measure 58, Original Birth Certificates for Adoptees Initiative (1998)
4. South Carolina Amendment 4 (1998)
5. Utah Proposition 2, Repeal of Constitutional Provision on Married Women's Property Rights Amendment (1998)

1996

1. Colorado Amendment 17, Parental Right to Direct Upbringing, Education, and Discipline of Children Initiative (1996)

1995

1. Louisiana Abolish Forced Heirship Amendment (October 1995)

1990

1. Georgia Amendment 8, Residence Requirements for Divorce Cases Measure (1990)

1988

1. Arkansas Jurisdiction of Matters Relating to Juveniles and Bastardy, Proposed Amendment 2 (1988)
2. New Mexico Ballot Proposal: Increase the Head of Family Property Tax Exemption (1988)

1987

1. Mississippi Race and Marriage, Amendment 3 (1987)

1983

1. Texas Proposition 6, Enforcing Child Support Amendment (1983)

1980

1. Alabama Alimony Termination Amendment (1980)
2. Texas Proposition 9, Spousal Property Rights Amendment (1980)

1978

1. Nevada Question 3, Property Rights of Married Couples Amendment (1978)
2. South Carolina Amendment 5, Period of Separation for Divorce Measure (1978)

1977

1. North Carolina Life Insurance Benefits for Spouse and Children Free from Creditors Amendment (1977)

1968

1. South Carolina Amendment on Divorce, Amendment 3 (1968)

1964

1. North Carolina Spousal Property Rights Amendment (January 1964)

1962

1. Maryland Amend Provision for Imprisonment for Debt, Amendment 5 (1962)

1956

1. Arizona Proposition 200, Marriage License Syphilis-Free Certificate Initiative (1956)
2. North Carolina Spousal Powers of Attorney Amendment (September 1956)

1950

1. Maryland Child Support and Alimony, Amendment 3 (1950)

1948

1. Massachusetts Question 4, Allow Physicians to Provide Contraceptives to Married Women for Health Reasons Initiative (1948)
2. Texas Proposition 3, Separation of Spousal Property Amendment (1948)

1944

1. North Carolina Homestead Deeds Amendment (1944)

1943

1. Georgia Amendment 14, Divorce Filing Rights for Military Post Residents Measure (August 1943)

1942

1. Massachusetts Question 1, Contraception Ban Exemptions Initiative (1942)

1938

1. Maryland Marriage License Waiting Period, Amendment 4 (1938)
2. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Require Medical Examinations for Marriage Licenses Measure (1938)

1936

1. Montana Health Certificates Required for Marriage, IR-36 (1936)

1922

1. Nevada Question 3, Divorce Law Initiative (1922)
2. Nevada State Question 4, Marriage Law Provisions Referendum (1922)

1921

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Health Exam for Marriage License Measure (June 1921)

1920

1. California Proposition 13, Willing of Community Property Referendum (1920)

1919

1. Texas Proposition 10, Allow Prison Profit-Sharing with Prisoners or Their Dependents Amendment (1919)

1918

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 302-303, Home for "Dependent, Delinquent and Defective" Children Measure (1918)

1916

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 308-309, Legal Grounds for Divorce Initiative (1916)

1912

1. Colorado Measure 17, Aid to Dependent and Neglected Children Initiative (1912)

1908

1. South Dakota Divorce Settlement Referendum (1908)

1876

1. North Carolina State Constitution Revisions Amendment (1876)

Alabama

1. Alabama Alimony Termination Amendment (1980)
2. Alabama Constitutional Amendment 774, Sanctity of Marriage Amendment (June 2006)
3. Alabama Interracial Marriage, Amendment 2 (2000)

Alaska

1. Alaska Constitutional Amendment on Prohibiting Public Employment Benefits to Same-Sex Partners Advisory Question (April 2007)
2. Alaska Measure 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (1998)

Arizona

1. Arizona Measure Nos. 308-309, Legal Grounds for Divorce Initiative (1916)
2. Arizona Proposition 102, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2008)
3. Arizona Proposition 107, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
4. Arizona Proposition 200, Marriage License Syphilis-Free Certificate Initiative (1956)

Arkansas

1. Arkansas Amendment 3, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Arkansas Jurisdiction of Matters Relating to Juveniles and Bastardy, Proposed Amendment 2 (1988)
3. Arkansas Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban, Proposed Initiative 1 (2008)

California

1. California Proposition 13, Willing of Community Property Referendum (1920)
2. California Proposition 22, Definition of Marriage Initiative (March 2000)
3. California Proposition 3, Right to Marry and Repeal Proposition 8 Amendment (2024)
4. California Proposition 8, Same-Sex Marriage Ban Initiative (2008)

Colorado

1. Colorado Amendment 17, Parental Right to Direct Upbringing, Education, and Discipline of Children Initiative (1996)
2. Colorado Amendment 43, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2006)
3. Colorado Amendment J, Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment (2024)
4. Colorado Measure 17, Aid to Dependent and Neglected Children Initiative (1912)
5. Colorado Referendum I, Establishment of Domestic Partnership Status Measure (2006)

Florida

1. Florida Amendment 2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2008)

Georgia

1. Georgia Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Georgia Amendment 14, Divorce Filing Rights for Military Post Residents Measure (August 1943)
3. Georgia Amendment 8, Residence Requirements for Divorce Cases Measure (1990)

Hawaii

1. Hawaii Question 2, Legislative Power to Reserve Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples Amendment (1998)
2. Hawaii Remove Legislature Authority to Limit Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples Amendment (2024)

Idaho

1. Idaho HJR 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)

Kansas

1. Kansas Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2005)

Kentucky

1. Kentucky Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)

Louisiana

1. Louisiana Abolish Forced Heirship Amendment (October 1995)
2. Louisiana Amendment 1, Definition and Recognition of Marriage Amendment (September 2004)

Maine

1. Maine Question 1, Same-Sex Marriage Referendum (2009)
2. Maine Same-Sex Marriage Question, Question 1 (2012)

Maryland

1. Maryland Amend Provision for Imprisonment for Debt, Amendment 5 (1962)
2. Maryland Child Support and Alimony, Amendment 3 (1950)
3. Maryland Marriage License Waiting Period, Amendment 4 (1938)
4. Maryland Same-Sex Civil Marriage Referendum, Question 6 (2012)

Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts Question 1, Contraception Ban Exemptions Initiative (1942)
2. Massachusetts Question 4, Allow Physicians to Provide Contraceptives to Married Women for Health Reasons Initiative (1948)

Michigan

1. Michigan Proposal 04-2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)

Minnesota

1. Minnesota Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2012)

Mississippi

1. Mississippi Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Mississippi Race and Marriage, Amendment 3 (1987)

Missouri

1. Missouri Amendment 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (August 2004)

Montana

1. Montana CI-96, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Montana Health Certificates Required for Marriage, IR-36 (1936)

Nebraska

1. Nebraska Initiative Measure 416, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2000)

Nevada

1. Nevada Question 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2000)
2. Nevada Question 2, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2002)
3. Nevada Question 2, Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment (2020)
4. Nevada Question 3, Divorce Law Initiative (1922)
5. Nevada Question 3, Property Rights of Married Couples Amendment (1978)
6. Nevada State Question 4, Marriage Law Provisions Referendum (1922)

New Mexico

1. New Mexico Ballot Proposal: Increase the Head of Family Property Tax Exemption (1988)

North Carolina

1. North Carolina Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Civil Unions Amendment (May 2012)
2. North Carolina Homestead Deeds Amendment (1944)
3. North Carolina Life Insurance Benefits for Spouse and Children Free from Creditors Amendment (1977)
4. North Carolina Spousal Powers of Attorney Amendment (September 1956)
5. North Carolina Spousal Property Rights Amendment (January 1964)
6. North Carolina State Constitution Revisions Amendment (1876)

North Dakota

1. North Dakota Child Custody and Support, Statutory Measure 3 (2006)
2. North Dakota Constitutional Measure 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
3. North Dakota Measure 6, Parent Custody Presumptions Initiative (2014)

Ohio

1. Ohio Issue 1, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma State Question 711, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)

Oregon

1. Oregon Measure 36, Definition of Marriage Initiative (2004)
2. Oregon Measure 58, Original Birth Certificates for Adoptees Initiative (1998)
3. Oregon Measure Nos. 302-303, Home for "Dependent, Delinquent and Defective" Children Measure (1918)
4. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Health Exam for Marriage License Measure (June 1921)
5. Oregon Measure Nos. 306-307, Require Medical Examinations for Marriage Licenses Measure (1938)

South Carolina

1. South Carolina Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Domestic Unions Amendment (2006)
2. South Carolina Amendment 4 (1998)
3. South Carolina Amendment 5, Period of Separation for Divorce Measure (1978)
4. South Carolina Amendment on Divorce, Amendment 3 (1968)

South Dakota

1. South Dakota Amendment C, Definition of Marriage and Prohibition of Civil Unions Amendment (2006)
2. South Dakota Divorce Settlement Referendum (1908)

Tennessee

1. Tennessee Amendment 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
2. Tennessee Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Amendment 1 (2006)

Texas

1. Texas Proposition 10, Allow Prison Profit-Sharing with Prisoners or Their Dependents Amendment (1919)
2. Texas Proposition 15, Parental Rights Amendment (2025)
3. Texas Proposition 2, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2005)
4. Texas Proposition 3, Separation of Spousal Property Amendment (1948)
5. Texas Proposition 6, Enforcing Child Support Amendment (1983)
6. Texas Proposition 7, Spousal Maintenance Amendment (1999)
7. Texas Proposition 9, Spousal Property Rights Amendment (1980)

Utah

1. Utah Amendment 3, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2004)
2. Utah Proposition 2, Repeal of Constitutional Provision on Married Women's Property Rights Amendment (1998)

Virginia

1. Virginia Question 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)
2. Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

Washington

1. Washington Referendum 71, Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Measure (2009)
2. Washington Referendum 74, Same-Sex Marriage Measure (2012)

Wisconsin

1. Wisconsin Question 1, Definition of Marriage Amendment (2006)

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