Nevada 1980 ballot measures
In 1980, voters decided on nine statewide ballot measures in Nevada on November 4.
- Three of the measures were initiated constitutional amendments.
- Six of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- Voters approved four (44.44%) and rejected five (55.56%) measures.
On the ballot
November 4, 1980
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Bail; Criminal sentencing | Expand the list of crimes for which bail may be denied to include murders punishable by life imprisonment without parole. |
|
177,592 (78%) |
49,690 (22%) |
|
| Question 2 | Judiciary; Salaries | Allow the legislature to raise judges' salaries during their terms and require one-third of district judges to be elected each general election. |
|
64,496 (28%) |
162,421 (72%) |
|
| Question 3 | Salaries | Allow the legislature to set the payment amount for legislators' postage, express charges, newspapers, and stationery. |
|
86,624 (38%) |
141,758 (62%) |
|
| Question 4 | Higher education funding; Economic investment; Public education funding; Legislature | Allow the legislature to determine policies for investing state educational funds beyond bonds and agricultural mortgages. |
|
116,445 (52%) |
108,288 (48%) |
|
| Question 5 | Local government | Allow county auditors and public administrators to be appointed rather than elected. |
|
75,265 (33%) |
150,730 (67%) |
|
| Question 6 | Property taxes; Revenue and spending limits; Legislature | Limit property taxes to 1% of value, cap annual increases at 2%, and require two-thirds approval for new taxes. |
|
103,334 (42%) |
140,018 (58%) |
|
| Question 7 | Judiciary structure; Judicial authority | Create an intermediate Court of Appeals to review District Court decisions, with some cases subject to Supreme Court review. |
|
106,131 (47%) |
118,933 (53%) |
|
| Question 8 | Tax exemptions | Exempt household goods and furniture used by a single household and owned by a member of that household from state taxation. |
|
178,947 (77%) |
52,593 (23%) |
|
| Question 9 | Food and beverage taxes; Sales taxes | Exempt food for human consumption from state taxation. |
|
163,384 (70%) |
68,985 (30%) |
Historical context
The inventory of Nevada statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the Nevada Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
Between 1864 and 2025, Nevada voters voted on 353 state ballot measures. Of those, 215 (60.9%) were approved and 138 (39.1%) were defeated.
The Nevada State Legislature has voted to refer 277 ballot measures to the state ballot between 1864 and 2025, while 74 citizen initiatives were on the statewide ballot. Additionally, two measures were referred to the ballot by a state constitutional convention.
The average number of measures per decade was 21. The decade with the most ballot measures was the 1980s, with 54. Twenty-six measures (48.1%) were approved, and 28 (51.9%) were defeated. The 1900s, 1910s, and 1940s all had a 100% approval rating, with all ballot measures approved. The 1870s and 1890s had a 0% approval rating, with all ballot measures defeated. In the 2020s, there have been 15 ballot measures—12 (80%) were approved, and three (20%) were defeated.
Types of ballot measures in Nevada
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Nevada
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Nevada, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Nevada, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote in two consecutive elections is required for voter approval.
Indirect initiated state statutes
- See also: Indirect initiated state statute
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Nevada, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Once sufficient signatures have been collected, statutory initiatives are first presented to the Nevada State Legislature. The legislature has 40 days to decide on the measure. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the proposed statute becomes law. If not, the law is submitted to voters at the next general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Nevada, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 120 days before the next general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Statute affirmation
- See also: Statute affirmation
A statute affirmation is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that prevents the Legislature from repealing or amending a statute in the future without a direct vote of the electorate. Nevada is the only state with this type of ballot measure. A statute affirmation is akin to a veto referendum being approved, rather than rejected, in Nevada.
In Nevada, the number of signatures required for a statute affirmation is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for the Nevada State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred state statutes
- See also: Legislatively referred state statute
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred bond measures
- See also: Legislatively referred bond measure
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place a bond measure on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. In Nevada, bonds cannot exceed 2% of the assessed valuation of the state, with exceptions made "for the protection and preservation of any of its property or natural resources, or for the purposes of obtaining the benefits thereof, however arising and whether arising by or through any undertaking or project of the United States or by or through any treaty or compact between the states." Bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Advisory questions
- See also: Advisory question
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place an advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Advisory questions require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Section 2 of Article 16 of the Nevada Constitution, a two-thirds vote of the Nevada State Legislature is required to refer a constitutional convention question to the ballot. A simple majority vote of the electorate is required to call a convention.
External links
See also
Footnotes
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