Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.
Laws governing ballot measures in North Carolina
From Ballotpedia
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in North Carolina, including constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in North Carolina
- Amending the North Carolina Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in North Carolina
- Laws governing recall in North Carolina
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in North Carolina
- Campaign finance requirements for North Carolina ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in North Carolina
Laws governing ballot measures in North Carolina
Types of ballot measures in North Carolina
- In North Carolina, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
- In North Carolina, the state legislature can refer constitutional amendments, bond measures, and constitutional convention questions to the ballot.
Amending the North Carolina Constitution
- North Carolina became a state in 1789. The current state constitution was ratified in 1971.
- The North Carolina Constitution can be amended in two ways:
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendment: The North Carolina State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot with a 60% vote during one legislative session.
- Convention-referred constitutional amendment: A state constitutional convention can vote to refer constitutional changes to the ballot.
- A simple majority vote (50% plus one) is required for voters to both approve constitutional amendments and convention questions.
Laws governing local ballot measures in North Carolina
- There is no mention of the powers of initiative and referendum in the North Carolina Constitution.
Laws governing recall in North Carolina
- North Carolina allows the recall of elected officials at the local level.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in North Carolina
- According to Article XIII of the North Carolina Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber of the legislature is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters.
- A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to both call the convention and approve any of its proposals.
Campaign finance requirements for North Carolina ballot measures
- PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in North Carolina must register and report campaign finance.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in North Carolina
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The North Carolina State Legislature did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.
See also
Footnotes
