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Laws governing ballot measures in Pennsylvania
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| • Laws governing state initiative processes |
| • Laws governing state recall processes |
| • Changes to ballot measure law in 2025 |
| • Analysis of 2025 changes to laws governing ballot measures |
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| • Laws governing local ballot measures |
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This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in Pennsylvania, including constitutional amendments and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in Pennsylvania
- Amending the Pennsylvania Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in Pennsylvania
- Laws governing recall in Pennsylvania
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Pennsylvania
- Campaign finance requirements for Pennsylvania ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Pennsylvania
Laws governing ballot measures in Pennsylvania
Types of ballot measures in Pennsylvania
- In Pennsylvania, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
- In Pennsylvania, the legislature can refer constitutional amendments, state statutes, and bond measures to the ballot.
- In Pennsylvania, a total of 31 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2024. Twenty-nine (29) ballot measures were approved, and two ballot measures were defeated.
Amending the Pennsylvania Constitution
- Pennsylvania became the second state in 1787. The current state constitution was ratified in 1968.
- The Pennsylvania Constitution provides for one mechanism for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process. However, the state constitution does not mention a constitutional convention process, and the legislature has called constitutional conventions in the past. Pennsylvania requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Laws governing local ballot measures in Pennsylvania
- All of Pennsylvania's seven charter counties have charter amendment by initiative.
Laws governing recall in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania does not allow the recall of elected officials.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania Constitution is one of eight state constitutions with no mechanism for calling a convention.
Campaign finance requirements for Pennsylvania ballot measures
- Pennsylvania defines any group that spends money or receives contributions in support of or opposition to a ballot measure as a political committee. Groups that receive more than $250 in aggregate contributions must file a statement of organization with the secretary of state within 20 days.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Pennsylvania
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The Pennsylvania State Legislature did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.
See also
Footnotes
