List of local ballot measure lawsuits in 2024
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This page provides summaries of legal cases related to local ballot measures in 2024. Lawsuits can be initiated before an election to prevent a measure from appearing on the ballot. Lawsuits can also be initiated after an election to void a ballot measure or otherwise declare the measure unconstitutional.
The pre-election lawsuits are often legal complaints regarding petition language and requirements, ballot initiative signature gatherers, and whether signatures are valid or invalid. Courts can issue rulings that enjoin a measure from taking effect or order officials to remove the measure from the ballot. Lawsuits, in particular those filed post-election, can take several years to resolve.
States
This section provides a list of lawsuits about local ballot measures that were filed or resolved in 2024.
Subjects
This section provides a list of lawsuits about state ballot measures, based on legal subjects, that were filed or resolved in 2024. The following are common subjects addressed in ballot measure lawsuits:
- Alterations: Legislatures can amend ballot initiatives after an election; however, some states have rules limiting or otherwise regulating changes. When changes are made, lawsuits can be filed alleging that those changes violated state law.
- Campaigns: The committees that support or oppose ballot measures have specific state legal requirements. Lawsuits can be filed against PACs regarding alleged violations.
- Circulators: States have rules that govern signature gatherers. Lawsuits can be filed for alleged violations in the signature-gathering process.
- Constitutionality - Lawsuits are sometimes filed claiming that the content of a ballot measure violates a constitutional right, such as free speech or equal protection, or another federal or state constitutional provision.
- Deadlines - There are specific deadlines for ballot initiative petitions. Lawsuits can be filed for alleged violations of these deadlines or against the deadlines themselves as violating the law.
- Guides - Lawsuits can challenge the language used in state-produced voter guides regarding form, accuracy, and neutrality.
- Language: The ballot title or petition language can be challenged regarding form, accuracy, and neutrality. States often have specific standards for ballot language.
- Preemption - Lawsuits can allege that a ballot measure is preempted, such as a federal law that preempts state or local law.
- Signatures - Lawsuits can challenge whether signatures are valid or invalid.
- Subjects - States can have subject restrictions for ballot initiatives and single-subject rules. Measures can be challenged for alleged violations of these laws.
The following list also divides lawsuits into two additional categories, whether the lawsuits were filed to remove a measure from the ballot post-certification and whether the lawsuits were filed post-election.
Alterations
There were no lawsuits regarding legislative alterations of voter-approved ballot initiatives in 2024.
Campaigns
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot measure campaign finance in 2024.
Circulators
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot initiative signature gathering in 2024.
Constitutionality
There were no lawsuits regarding the constitutionality of ballot measures in 2024.
Deadlines
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot initiative signature deadlines in 2024.
Guides
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot measure voter guides in 2024.
Language
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot measure or petition language in 2024.
Preemption
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot measure or petition language in 2024.
Signatures
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot initiative signatures in 2024.
Subjects
There were no lawsuits regarding ballot measure subjects in 2024.
Lawsuits filed post-certification
There were no lawsuits filed after an initiative was certified in 2024.
Lawsuits filed post-election
There were no lawsuits after a ballot measure election in 2024.
Statewide
- See also: List of ballot measure lawsuits in 2024
For 2024, 159 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in 41 states.
- On November 5, voters in 41 states decided on 146 statewide ballot measures. Voters approved 93 and rejected 53.
- On December 7, voters in Louisiana approved four constitutional amendments.
- Earlier in 2024, voters in five states decided on nine ballot measures. Voters approved five and rejected four of these measures.
See also
- 2024 ballot measures
- List of local ballot measure lawsuits in 2023
- List of local ballot measure lawsuits in 2022
- List of local ballot measure lawsuits in 2021
- List of local ballot measure lawsuits in 2020
