Nevada Question 4, Old Age Pensions Initiative (1936)

Nevada Question 4
Election date November 3, 1936
Topic Public assistance programs
Status Defeated
Type Indirect initiated state statute	Origin Citizens

Nevada Question 4 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Nevada on November 3, 1936. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported providing state and county-funded pensions up to $1 per day for eligible Nevada seniors, with income limits and estate repayment.

A "no" vote opposed providing state and county-funded pensions up to $1 per day for eligible Nevada seniors, with income limits and estate repayment.

Election results

Nevada Question 4
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		9,252	27.45%
No		24,447	72.55%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 4 was as follows:

“

Shall "An Act to provide old-age pensions to certain citizens of the State of Nevada and to recompense them for past services rendered the United States and the State of Nevada to the end that they may maintain, by reason of their said past services, independence, dignity and self-respect during their old age; establishing a uniform regulation in relation thereto, and defining offenses under this act, and fixing the penalties therefor." Said proposed law providing, among other things, that the State of Nevada and counties thereof to the extent of 50% each shall pay an Old Age Pension of not to exceed $1.00 per day, to any person who has reached the age of 65 years and who is unable to support himself or herself and whose income from all sources does not exceed $365.00 per year; provided he or she has been a citizen of the United States and has actually resided in the State of Nevada 15 years and in the count 2 years preceding the application for pension and does not own property in excess of the value of $3,000.00. The pension is to be adjusted so that the total income including pension, for a single person shall not exceed $365.00 and for husband and wife $730.00 per year. Annual income from property not producing reasonable income shall be computed at 5% of its value as fixed by the supervising authorities and the pension reduced accordingly. Provisions are made, for conveyance by applicant of all his property to County Commissioners, and also, for recovering from estate of pensioner, the total sum of pension paid with interest -- be approved?

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Nevada

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.

See also

1936 Measures

• 1936 Measures
• Public assistance programs on the ballot
• 1936 legislative sessions

Nevada

• Nevada ballot measures
• Nevada ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Nevada Secretary of State: Political History of Nevada