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How many states permit initiatives?
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| FAQs by state |
Question: How many states permit initiatives?
Answer: The following 26 states have an initiative process, referendum process, or both at the statewide level. Washington, D.C. also has an initiative and referendum process.
Note on Mississippi:
Mississippi has an initiated constitutional amendment process, including a signature distribution requirement based on five congressional districts. However, the requirements cannot be met, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court, because the state has four congressional districts following reapportionment in 2001. As a result, the process remains part of the state constitution but cannot be carried out in practice.[1]
Details and context: A citizen initiative is a ballot measure that requires voters to gather a certain number of signatures to bring a proposed statute or constitutional amendment to a public vote. A veto referendum is a type of citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal a law passed by the state legislature.
The following states allow initiatives and/or referendums:
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