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Legislative alterations of ballot initiatives
From 2010 through 2024, 283 initiated state statutes and five initiated ordinances in D.C. were approved by voters. Of these total initiatives from 2010 through 2024, 32 were legislatively altered as of July 18, 2025.
What is legislative alteration?
- See also: Legislative alteration rules
Legislative alteration refers to when lawmakers repeal or amend citizen initiatives after voters have approved them. At the statewide level, it applies only to initiated state statutes since legislatures cannot change initiated constitutional amendments without voter approval. There are 21 states with a process for initiated state statutes. Eleven states have no restrictions on legislative alteration, two states—Arizona and California—require voter approval of substantive alteration, and the remaining eight states have either time restrictions, supermajority vote requirements, or a combination of the two. Click here to read more about the rules in each state.
Legislative alterations vary with regard to how they affect the provisions of the initiatives. Some alterations repeal or amend provisions in ways that are opposed to the original initiative and/or the purpose of initiative proponents. Some alterations change technical aspects of the policy or details of regulation rather than changing significant substantive provisions. And some alterations change certain provisions to allow for enforcement, to fix errors, to strengthen provisions, or to otherwise further the purpose of the original initiative and initiative proponents.
There are other related legislative or state official actions regarding citizen initiatives that do not involve directly altering the laws enacted by the measures. These include compromises with initiative proponents prior to the election, actions to preclude an election on the proposed initiative, the details of implementation, and varying degrees of enforcement. To read about instances like these that do not fall under the definition of legislative alteration but are related, click here.
Which state legislatures altered the most initiatives?
An average of a little over one initiated state statute approved since 2010 has been legislatively altered in each state that has a process for initiated state statutes. The states with the highest rates of legislative alteration were as follows:
- Utah (100%)
- Idaho (33%)
- Nevada (25%)
- Oregon (20%)
- Maine (20%)
- Montana (20%)
The chart below shows the number of approved initiated state statutes from 2010 through 2025 and the number of legislative alterations in each state and D.C.
| Legislative alteration of initiatives approved from 2010 through 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Restriction/requirement | Initiatives approved | Total alterations | Amendments | Repeals |
| Colorado | No restriction | 33 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Washington, D.C. | No restriction | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Idaho | No restriction | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Maine | No restriction | 20 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Massachusetts | No restriction | 25 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Missouri | No restriction | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Montana | No restriction | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Ohio | No restriction | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oklahoma | No restriction | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oregon | No restriction | 20 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| South Dakota | No restriction | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Utah | No restriction | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Washington | Supermajority and/or time | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wyoming | Supermajority and/or time | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alaska | Supermajority and/or time | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas | Supermajority and/or time | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nebraska | Supermajority and/or time | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nevada | Supermajority and/or time | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Michigan | Supermajority and/or time | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Dakota | Supermajority and/or time | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona | Voter approval or supermajority | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| California | Voter approval | 54 | 2[1] | 2[1] | 0 |
What years had the most legislatively altered initiatives?
From 2010 through 2025, the largest number of alterations occurred on initiatives approved in 2016 (14). The second-highest number of approved initiatives later altered by state legislatures was 2018 (5). The last case of legislative alteration was in Missouri in 2024 altering an initiative passed in 2024.
Alterations by year
The chart below shows all of the initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024 that were later legislatively altered. It also features some legislatively altered initiatives from prior to 2010 in certain states. For details about the history of legislative alteration in each state, click the Alterations by state tab.
Alterations by state
Alaska
- See also: Alaska ballot measures
In Alaska, two years must elapse before the legislature can repeal an initiated state statute. The legislature is allowed to amend an initiative with a simple majority vote at any time.
From 2010 through 2024, Alaska voters approved 13 initiated state statutes. None of the initiatives were legislatively altered directly, although the legislature passed bills regulating marijuana legalization and allocating marijuana tax revenue in 2016 and 2018 that were related to the 2014 marijuana legalization initiative.
Arizona
- See also: Arizona ballot measures
In Arizona, the legislature can make changes to an initiated state statute that are in line with the purpose of the initiative through a three-fourths supermajority vote. Any substantive changes must be submitted to the voters through a legislatively referred state statute. Therefore, the Arizona State Legislature is prohibited from substantive legislative alteration without voter approval. California is the only other state with a provision requiring voter approval for changes to initiated state statutes, but California's requirement applies to all changes not only substantive ones.
From 2010 through 2024, Arizona voters approved eight initiated state statutes. Including prior to 2010, two Arizona ballot initiatives were legislatively altered, with one altered multiple times. The alterations were not sent to the ballot for voter approval. The legislative alterations of these two initiatives were declared unconstitutional by court rulings due to the state's restrictions on legislative alteration, and the original initiatives were restored.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[3] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 203, Medical Marijuana | 2010 | 2012 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Proposition 202, Minimum Wage | 2006 | 2013 | Minimum wage | Amendment |
Arkansas
- See also: Arkansas ballot measures
In Arkansas, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required for the legislature to amend or repeal citizen initiatives.
From 2010 through 2024, Arkansas voters approved three initiated state statutes. None were later legislatively altered.
California
- See also: California ballot measures
In California, changes to a citizen initiative must be referred to the voters for approval unless the alterations further the purpose of the initiative.
From 2010 through 2024, California voters have approved 54 initiated state statutes. Of those, alterations to two of them have been approved by the state legislature. Both alterations were passed as measures to further the purpose of the initiatives and were, therefore, not referred to the voters.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[3] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization | 2016 | 2017 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Proposition 35, Ban on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery | 2012 | 2016 | Law enforcement | Amendment |
Colorado
- See also: Colorado ballot measures
Colorado is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Colorado voters approved 33 initiated state statutes. Of those, three were later amended or partially repealed by the state legislature.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Colorado for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 107, Presidential Primary Election | 2016 | 2017 | Elections | Amendment/Repeal |
| Proposition 108, Unaffiliated Elector | 2016 | 2017 | Elections | Amendment/Repeal |
| Proposition 104, School Board Open Meetings | 2014 | 2016 | Education | Amendment |
District of Columbia
- See also: Ballot measures in D.C.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in the District of Columbia for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2025, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative 82, Increase Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Measure | 2022 | 2025 | Minimum wage | Amendment |
| Initiative 77, Minimum Wage Increase for Tipped Workers | 2018 | 2018 | Minimum wage | Repeal |
Idaho
- See also: Idaho ballot measures
Idaho is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, voters approved three initiatives
Prior to 2010, Idaho voters approved one initiated state statute each in 2002, 1998, 1996, and 1994. Of those four initiatives, the three in 1994, 1996, and 1998 were repealed by House Bill 425 in 2002; all three concerned term limits.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Idaho for initiatives approved from 1994 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative 1, Term Limit Ballot Information | 1998 | 2002 | Term limits | Repeal |
| Initiative 4, Congressional Term Limits | 1996 | 2002 | Term limits | Repeal |
| Initiative 2, Establish Term Limits | 1994 | 2002 | Term limits | Repeal |
| Proposition 2, Medicaid Expansion | 2018 | 2019 | Healthcare | Amendment |
HB 425 repealing the term limit-related initiatives was vetoed by the governor, and the legislature overrode the veto. It was then put on the ballot through a veto referendum petition. Voters upheld HB 425 by a 50.23% vote, repealing the initiatives.
Maine
- See also: Maine ballot measures
Maine is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Maine voters approved 20 initiated state statutes. Of those, the four that were approved in 2016 were legislatively altered. The legislative alteration bill designed to delay and ultimately repeal ranked-choice voting was put on the ballot through a veto referendum petition, and voters rejected the legislative alteration and upheld the initiative.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Maine for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1, Marijuana Legalization | 2016 | 2017 | Marijuana | Amendment/Repeal |
| Question 2, Tax on Incomes Exceeding $200,000 for Public Education | 2016 | 2017 | Taxes and Education | Repeal |
| Question 4, Minimum Wage Increase | 2016 | 2017 | Minimum wage | Amendment |
| Question 5, Ranked Choice Voting | 2016 | 2017 | Elections | Amendment/Repeal[2] |
Massachusetts
- See also: Massachusetts ballot measures
Massachusetts is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Massachusetts voters approved 25 initiatives. Of those, two initiatives were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Massachusetts from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 4, Marijuana Legalization | 2016 | 2017 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Question 1, "Right to Repair" Initiative | 2012 | 2013 | Business regulation | Repeal |
- In 2017, the Massachusetts State Legislature altered a 2002 initiative requiring English immersion in public schools. The 2017 bill allows districts the option of continuing under the English immersion method or providing alternative standards and methods for English education.
Michigan
- See also: Michigan ballot measures
In Michigan, a three-fourths supermajority vote is required for the legislature to repeal or amend a citizen initiative.
From 1996 through 2024, voters approved three initiated state statutes. Of those, two were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Michigan from 1996 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal 1, Medical Marijuana | 2008 | 2012 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Proposal E, Casino Gambling Act | 1996 | 2004 | Gambling | Amendment |
Missouri
- See also: Missouri ballot measures
Missouri is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Missouri voters approved seven initiated state statutes. Of those, two were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Missouri from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[3] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition B, Dog Breeding Regulation | 2010 | 2011 | Treatment of animals | Amendment |
| Proposition A | 2024 | 2025 | Labor and unions | Repeal |
Montana
- See also: Montana ballot measures
Montana is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Montana voters approved 10 initiated state statutes. Of those, two were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Montana for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[4] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-182, Medical Marijuana | 2016 | 2017 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| I-164, Loan Interest Rate Limit | 2010 | 2013 | Business regulation | Amendment |
Nebraska
- See also: Nebraska ballot measures
In Nebraska, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required for the state legislature to amend or repeal citizen initiatives.
From 2010 to 2024, Nebraska voters approved nine initiated state statutes. Prior to 2010, one initiative was legislatively altered: a 2004 initiative enacting a gaming tax was repealed in 2007.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Nebraska for initiatives approved from 2004 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[5] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 419, Gambling Tax | 2004 | 2007 | Gambling and Taxes | Repeal |
Nevada
- See also: Nevada ballot measures
In Nevada, three years must pass before the state legislature amends or repeals a citizen initiative.
From 2010 through 2024, Nevada voters approved four initiated state statutes. Of those, one was legislatively altered: Question 1, a 2016 initiative to establish background check requirements for gun purchases. The initiative was not implemented because it required background checks to go through the FBI rather than the state's system, and the FBI did not participate in the expanded background checks. Following the election of Steve Sisolak (D) to succeed term-limited Brian Sandoval (R) as the state's governor and Aaron Ford (D) to succeed Adam Laxalt (R) as the state's attorney general, Senate Bill 143 was passed establishing that background checks for gun purchases would go through the state's system rather than through the FBI, therefore allowing Question 1 to be implemented.
Question 1 was added to state code on November 22, 2016. SB 143 included a provision stating that the bill would take effect on January 2, 2020, to satisfy the state's requirement that three years elapse before an initiative is legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Nevada for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[6] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1, Background Checks for Gun Purchases | 2016 | 2019 | Firearms | Amendment |
North Dakota
- See also: North Dakota ballot measures
In North Dakota, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required for the legislature to repeal or amend an initiative until seven years pass.
From 2010 through 2024, North Dakota voters approved eleven initiated state statutes. Of those, one was legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in North Dakota for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[7] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 5, Medical Marijuana Legalization | 2016 | 2017 | Marijuana | Amendment |
Ohio
- See also: Ohio ballot measures
Ohio is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
Ohio voters approved two initiatives between 2010 and 2024. In 2006, voters approved Initiative 5, a ban on smoking in places of employment and most places open to the public. It was not legislatively altered. In 2024, Ohio voters approved an initiated state statute to legalize marijuana, and as of January 24, 2025, it had not been altered.
Oklahoma
- See also: Oklahoma ballot measures
Oklahoma is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Oklahoma voters approved four initiated state statutes—one in 2018, two in 2016, and one in 2023. None of them were later altered by state legislators.
Oregon
- See also: Oregon ballot measures
Oregon is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Oregon voters approved 20 initiated state statutes. Of those, four were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Oregon for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[8] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative | 2020 | 2024 | Drug crime policy | Amendment |
| Measure 98, State Funding for Dropout Prevention and College Readiness | 2016 | 2017 | Education | Amendment |
| Measure 91, Legalized Marijuana | 2014 | 2015 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Measure 73, Minimum Criminal Sentence Increase | 2010 | 2011 | Law enforcement | Amendment |
South Dakota
- See also: South Dakota ballot measures
South Dakota is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, South Dakota voters approved 13 initiated state statutes. Of those, two—both 2016 initiatives—were legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in South Dakota for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[9] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiated Measure 22, Revision of State Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws | 2016 | 2017 | Elections | Repeal |
| Initiated Measure 21, Payday Lending Initiative | 2016 | 2017 | Business regulation | Amendment |
Utah
- See also: Utah ballot measures
Utah is one of 11 states with no restrictions on legislative alteration.
From 2010 through 2024, Utah voters approved three initiated state statutes. One was legislatively altered.
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Utah for initiatives approved from 2000 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered[10] | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 2, Medical Marijuana | 2018 | 2018 | Marijuana | Amendment |
| Proposition 3, Medicaid Expansion | 2018 | 2019 | Healthcare | Amendment |
| Proposition 4, Independent Advisory Commission on Redistricting | 2018 | 2020 | Redistricting measures | Amendment |
| Initiative B, Drug Policy Enforcement Provisions | 2000 | 2004 | Law enforcement | Repeal |
Washington
- See also: Washington ballot measures
In Washington, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in the legislature is required to amend or repeal initiated state statutes until two years have passed.
From 2010 through 2022, voters approved 34 initiated state statutes in Washington. Of those, two were legislatively altered: a 2018 initiative concerning police liability for deadly force and training and a 2014 initiative concerning education and class sizes. The 2018 initiative was amended according to a compromise made with initiative proponents and certain law enforcement agencies. The 2014 initiative was amended to delay its implementation.
Additionally, in 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5082, which repealed the requirement for statewide advisory vote requirement for tax increases established by Initiative 960 approved by voters in 2007.[11]
The chart below details the instances of legislative alteration in Washington for initiatives approved from 2010 through 2024, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative 940, Police Training and Liability in Cases of Deadly Force | 2018 | 2019 | Law enforcement | Amendment |
| Initaitive 1351, Class Size Reduction | 2014 | 2015 | Education | Amendment |
Wyoming
- See also: Wyoming ballot measures
In Wyoming, two years must elapse before the legislature can repeal an initiated state statute. The legislature is allowed to amend an initiative with a simple majority vote at any time.
From 1993 through 2024, voters did not approve any initiated state statutes. The last time voters approved initiated state statutes was in 1992, when three initiatives were approved. All three initiatives were later altered by the state legislature. In one case, Initiative 2 regarding term limits, provisions of the initiative were invalidated by a court ruling prior to the legislative alteration.
The chart below details the most recent instances of legislative alteration in Wyoming, including the subject of the initiative, the year it was passed, the year it was altered, and whether the alteration was an amendment or a repeal of a key provision. Click on the measure link to read more about the initiative.
| Measure | Year passed | Year altered | Topic | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiative 1, Ban Triple Trailers | 1992 | 2007 | Transportation | Amendment |
| Initiative 2, Term Limits | 1992 | 2005 | Term limits | Amendment/Repeal |
| Initiative 3, Railroad Regulation | 1992 | 1995 | Business regulation | Amendment/Repeal |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 In the cases of the two altered California initiatives, the bills were passed as measures to further the purpose of the initiatives and, therefore, were not referred to the voters.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 This initiative was ultimately upheld through a veto referendum targetting the repeal of the legislative alteration bill.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ This is the first year in which the initiative was legislatively altered. In some cases, multiple legislative alteration bills were passed.
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Senate Bill 5082," accessed April 24, 2023
