North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures since statehood
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all North Carolina ballot measures since statehood, with the earliest measure appearing on the ballot in 1835. North Carolina voters decided on 202 ballot measures between 1835 and 2024. Of the 202 measures, 147 were approved (72.77%), and 55 measures were defeated (27.23%).
The North Carolina State Legislature referred 193 measures to the ballot. The government of North Carolina also referred four questions calling for a constitutional convention on the ballot. Constitutional conventions referred five measures to the ballot. North Carolina does not have a process for citizen-initiated ballot measures.
The inventory of North Carolina statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and the voting public on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.
Explore the topics below for detailed information:
This section provides a table to search North Carolina historical ballot measures by decade and keyword.
This section summarizes notable topics North Carolina voters have decided on.
This section highlights measures with the closest and widest margins, as well as the breakdown by topic, decade, and type.
This section describes the process of placing a statewide measure on the ballot.
Historic Ballot Measure Lookup Tool
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | LRCA | Require Voter Identification Amendment | Require photographic identification to vote for all voters, not just those voting in person | On the ballot |
| 2024 | LRCA | Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment | Prohibit the state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | LRCA | Income Tax Cap Amendment | Changes cap on income tax from 10 percent to 7 percent | Approved |
| 2018 | LRCA | Judicial Selection Amendment | Creates a process, involving a commission, legislature, and governor to appoint to vacant state judicial seats | Defeated |
| 2018 | LRCA | Elections Board Amendment | Makes the legislature responsible for appointments to election board | Defeated |
| 2018 | LRCA | Marsy's Law Amendment | Expands the constitutional rights of crime victims | Approved |
| 2018 | LRCA | Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife | Approved |
| 2018 | LRCA | Voter ID Amendment | Requires a photo ID to vote in person | Approved |
| 2016 | BI | Connect NC Public Improvement Bond | Authorize $2 billion in bonds for public improvements | Approved |
| 2014 | LRCA | Criminal Defendant May Waive Jury Trial Amendment | Amend North Carolina Constitution to allow criminal defendants to waive jury trial | Approved |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Define marriage as between a man and a woman, and prohibit civil unions in the state | Approved |
| 2010 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit convicted felons from serving as sheriffs | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | LRCA | Court of Justice Terms Amendment | Clarify court jurisdiction and set magistrate terms at two years initially, followed by four years. | Approved |
| 2004 | LRCA | Public Improvement Financing Amendment | Allow cities and counties to incur debt for economic development projects. | Approved |
| 2004 | LRCA | Use of Civil Penalties, Forfeitures, and Fines for Public School Maintenance Funding Amendment | Allow the General Assembly to allocate the proceeds of civil penalties, civil forfeitures, and civil fines collected by state agencies to a dedicated state fund for maintaining free public schools | Approved |
| 2002 | LRCA | Nature and Historic Preserve Property Amendment | Allow property to be added to the State Nature and Historic Preserve through a bill instead of a joint resolution. | Approved |
| 2000 | LRCA | Higher Education Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue $3.1 billion in bonds for improvements to the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | BI | Local Government Water Project Bonds Measure | Issue $800 million in bonds to provide clean water project funding for local governments. | Approved |
| 1998 | BI | Natural Gas Facilities Bonds Referendum | Issue $200 million in bonds to fund the construction of natural gas facilities. | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Establish the Governor's Veto Power Amendment | Establish the governor's veto power | Approved |
| 1996 | BI | Highway Projects Bond Measure | Issue $950 million in bonds for the construction of highways. | Approved |
| 1996 | BI | Public School Buildings Bond Measure | Issue $1.8 billion in bonds to fund public school capital projects. | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Types of Alternative Punishment Amendment | Expand punishment types for convicted criminals, including probation and community service. | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Victims' Rights Amendment | Assure crime victims the right to be informed and attend court proceedings. | Approved |
| 1993 | LRCA | Tax Increment Bonds Amendment | Allow cities and counties to issue tax increment bonds without voter approval. | Defeated |
| 1990 | BI | Prison and Youth Facilities Bonds Referendum | Issue $200 million in bonds to fund prison and youth facilities. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | LRCA | Elections for Office Vacancies Amendment | Hold elections to fill an officer's term if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next election. | Approved |
| 1986 | LRCA | Higher Education Facilities Bonds Amendment | Authorize state revenue bonds to finance or refinance higher education facilities for nonprofit corporations. | Approved |
| 1986 | LRCA | Seaport and Airport Development Amendment | Grant public bodies additional powers to develop new and existing seaports and airports. | Approved |
| 1986 | LRCA | State and County Officer Elections in Odd-Numbered Years Amendment | Provide for elections of state and county officers in odd-numbered years. | Defeated |
| 1986 | LRAQ | Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Advisory Question | Advise the government of support for a "high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel disposal site" | Defeated |
| 1984 | LRCA | Agricultural Bonds Agency Amendment | Authorize the creation of an agency to issue revenue bonds to finance the cost of agricultural facilities. | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Attorney General and District Attorneys Requirements Amendment | Require the attorney general and district attorneys to be licensed to practice law before election or appointment. | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Allow for Tax Increment Bonds Without Voter Approval Amendment | Allow the General Assembly to pass laws authorizing the issuance of tax increment bonds without requiring voter approval | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Allow Temporary Assignment of Retired Appellate Judges Amendment | Allow retired Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges to be temporarily assigned to serve on either appellate court | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Bonds for Higher Education Facilities Amendment | Authorize the state to issue revenue bonds for financing or refinancing higher education facilities for nonprofit corporations. | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Legislative Office Term Start Date Amendment | Require legislators' office terms begin on the first of January following their election. | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Legislative Term Limits Amendment | Increase the term limits for legislators from two to four years. | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Seaport and Airport Development Amendment | Provide public bodies additional powers to develop new and existing seaports and airports. | Defeated |
| 1982 | LRCA | Supreme Court Review Authority Amendment | Authorize the supreme court to review direct appeals from the North Carolina Utilities Commission | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Judge Requirements Amendment | Require justices and judges to be authorized to practice law before election or appointment. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | LRCA | Governor Elected Terms Amendment | Allow the governor and lieutenant governor to serve a second consecutive term in office | Approved |
| 1977 | LRCA | Balanced Budget Amendment | Require that state expenditures for a fiscal period not exceed total revenue and any surplus from the beginning of the period and authorize the Governor to monitor revenue collection and reduce expenditures as necessary to prevent a deficit while ensuring debt obligations are met | Approved |
| 1977 | BI | Highway Bonds Referendum | Issue $300 million in highway bonds. | Approved |
| 1977 | LRCA | Life Insurance Benefits for Spouse and Children Free from Creditors Amendment | Grant every person the right to insure their life for the benefit of their spouse, children, or both, free from claims by representatives or creditors of the insured or their estate | Approved |
| 1977 | LRCA | Municipal Electric Facilities Amendment | Allow municipalities to partner on electric facilities and issue bonds to finance their share. | Approved |
| 1977 | LRCA | Spousal Homestead Exemption Amendment | Extend homestead exemption rights to widowed men if the spouse does not own a separate homestead. | Approved |
| 1977 | BI | Water Quality and Water System Improvements Bond Measure | Issue $230 million in clean water bonds. | Approved |
| 1976 | LRCA | Healthcare Facilities Bonds Amendment | Allow the legislature to authorize state and local governments to issue revenue bonds to finance or refinance healthcare facilities. | Approved |
| 1976 | LRCA | Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds Amendment | Allow the legislature to authorize counties to issue revenue bonds for industrial, manufacturing, and pollution control facilities. | Approved |
| 1974 | LRCA | Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds | Authorize revenue bonds to finance industrial and pollution control facilities for job creation. | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Office of District Attorney Amendment | Change the name of the office of solicitor to the office of district attorney. | Approved |
| 1973 | LRSS | Expenditures for Wastewater Treatment Projects Measure | Amend the Clean Water Bond Act of 1971 to allow the expenditure of funds for wastewater treatment projects. | Approved |
| 1973 | LRCA | Sale of Mixed Beverages Amendment | Allow the sale and consumption of mixed beverages in counties that authorize such sales. | Defeated |
| 1973 | BI | School Facilities Bonds Referendum | Issue $300 million in bonds for the construction of school facilities. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Censure and Removal of Justices and Judges of the General Court of Justice Amendment | Allow the General Assembly to establish procedures for censuring and removing Justices and Judges of the General Court of Justice | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Conservation of Natural Resources Policy Amendment | Provide that "the policy of this State to conserve and protect its lands and waters for the benefit of all its citizenry" | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Judicial Mandatory Retirement Age Requirement Amendment | Require the General Assembly to establish a maximum age limit for justices and judges | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Municipal Incorporation Amendment | Limit the incorporation of cities and towns. | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Voting and Elective Office Age Requirements Amendment | Lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years and require individuals to be at least 21 years old to hold elective office. | Approved |
| 1972 | BI | Water Quality and Systems Improvement Projects Bond Measure | Issue $150 million in bonds for clean water. | Approved |
| 1972 | BI | Zoological Park Facilities Bonds Referendum | Issue $2 million in bonds for zoological park facilities. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Legislative Sessions Amendment | Allow three-fifths of the general assembly to convene extra sessions. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Escheats Fund for Public College Student Aid Amendment | Direct unclaimed property exclusively to aid North Carolina residents enrolled in public colleges and universities after June 30, 1971 | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Income Tax Exemptions Amendment | Authorize the general assembly to fix personal exemptions from income taxes. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Reduce Number of State Administrative Departments Amendment | Reduce state administrative departments to 25 and allow the governor to reorganize them. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Repeal Literacy Voting Requirement Amendment | Repeal the literacy requirement for voting from the North Carolina Constitution | Defeated |
| 1970 | LRCA | State and Local Finances Amendment | Revise parts of the constitution on state and local finances. | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | State Constitution of 1971 Measure | Adopt a revised North Carolina Constitution, which became known as the Constitution of 1971 | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | LRCA | Local Option Sales Tax Amendment | Increase the local option sales tax by one percent. | Defeated |
| 1968 | LRCA | Legislative Compensation Amendment | Establish a procedure to fix compensation for legislators. | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Legislative Representation and Multi-County House Districts Amendment | Align constitutional language on legislative representation with federal court rulings, allowing multi-county house districts based on population | Approved |
| 1965 | BI | Highway Bonds Referendum | Issue $300 million in bonds for highways. | Approved |
| 1965 | LRCA | Intermediate Court of Appeals Amendment | Authorize an intermediate court of appeals within the appellate division of the general court of justice. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Increase Size of Senate and Reduce Size of House Amendment | Increase the Senate membership from 50 to 70 and reduce the number of Representatives from 120 to 100 | Defeated |
| 1964 | BI | Public School Facilities Bonds Referendum | Issue $100 million in bonds for public school facilities. | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Spousal Property Rights Amendment | Provide husbands and wives the same rights to each other's separate property. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Judiciary Organization Amendment | Revise the structure and functioning of the state's judicial department. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Legislative Reapportionment Amendment | Mandate automatic reapportionment of assembly representatives after each census. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Presidential Election Voting Residency Requirement Amendment | Permit residents who do not meet residency requirements to vote in presidential elections if otherwise qualified. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Property Classification for Taxes Amendment | Limit the general assembly's authority to classify and exempt property from taxation to the statewide level. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Salaries of State Executive Officers Amendment | Provide greater authority to the legislature over the salaries of state executive officers. | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Succession of State Executive Offices Amendment | Establish procedures for determining the governor's incapacity, appointing replacements, and fix the seat of government in Raleigh. | Approved |
| 1961 | BI | Agricultural Research Bonds Referendum | Issue $289,000 in bonds for improvements to the state's agricultural research stations. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Capitol Buildings Construction Bonds Referendum | Issue more than $2 million in bonds to construct of buildings for state purposes in the capitol area. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Community College Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue more than $1 million in bonds for improvements on community colleges. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Correctional Schools Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue more than $1 million in bonds for improvements at state correctional schools. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Educational Institutions Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue over $31 million in bonds for state educational institution improvements. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Hospital Construction Bonds Referendum | Issue $500,000 in bonds for the construction of local hospitals. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Library Building Construction Bonds Referendum | Issue over $2 million in bonds to construct a building for archives, history, and the state library. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Mental Institution Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue more than $7 million in bonds for improvements on the state's mental institutions. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Natural Resources Conservation Bonds Referendum | Issue $961,000 in bonds for natural resource conservation and development improvements. | Defeated |
| 1961 | BI | Port Facilities Improvement Bonds Referendum | Issue $13.5 million in bonds for state port facility construction and improvements. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 1 | Issue more than $18 million in bonds for capital improvements of the state's educational institutions and agencies. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 2 | Issue more than $12 million in bonds for capital improvements of the state's mental health institutions. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 3 | Issue $1.5 million in bonds for aid grants and capital improvements of the state's community colleges. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 4 | Issue $500,000 in bonds to fund local hospital construction. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 5 | Issue $100,000 in bonds for capital improvements of the state's armory commission. | Defeated |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 6 | Issue $466,000 in bonds for capital improvements at the state's correctional institutions. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 7 | Issue $140,000 in bonds for capital improvements of the blind rehabilitation center. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 8 | Issue $500,000 in bonds for port facilities in the town of Southport. | Approved |
| 1959 | BI | Referendum 9 | Issue $250,000 in bonds for the construction and restoration of historical sites. | Defeated |
| 1958 | LRCA | Justice of the Peace Jurisdiction Amendment | Expand justices of the peace jurisdiction to include civil cases under $200 and criminal matters with fines up to $50. | Defeated |
| 1956 | LRCA | Education Expense Grants and Local School Suspension Votes Amendment | Allow education grants for private nonsectarian schooling in specific situations. | Overturned |
| 1956 | LRCA | Legislative Compensation Amendment | Compensate legislators $15 per day and presiding officers $20 per day for up to 120 days in regular sessions. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Legislative Session Start Date Amendment | Start biennial legislative sessions on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in February. | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Spousal Powers of Attorney Amendment | Allow married women to use powers of attorney granted by their husbands. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Elections to Fill Vacancies Amendment | Remove election requirements for state office vacancies after January 1 before a general election, filling them by gubernatorial appointment. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Establish Board of Paroles Amendment | Establish a board of parole with the authority to grant, revoke, and terminate parole. | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Senatorial Districts Amendment | Limit senatorial districts with only one county to one senator. | Defeated |
| 1954 | LRCA | Supreme Court Justice Retirement and Temporary Service Amendment | Authorize the General Assembly to establish a process for the retirement of Supreme Court justices | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Reduce Precinct Residency Voting Requirement Amendment | Reduce the residency requirement for voting in a precinct from four months to 30 days before an election | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Property Tax Limitation Amendment | Limit state and county property taxes to 20 cents per $100 valuation. | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Vacancies in State Executive Offices Amendment | Fill vacancies in state executive offices by governor appointment. | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Vacancies in the Legislature Amendment | Fill vacancies in the legislature by governor appointment. | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Waiver of Indictment Amendment | Allow individuals, when represented by legal counsel, to choose to waive their right to a formal indictment, except those involving capital offenses | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Judicial Assignment and Special Court Jurisdiction Amendment | Transfer the authority to assign judges and call special court sessions from the Governor to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and grant the Legislature the power to define the jurisdiction of special judges | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Judicial Districts Amendment | Allow the legislature to determine judicial districts and the number of judges. | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Legislative Compensation Amendment | Compensate legislators $15 and presiding officers $20 per day for up to 90 days. | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System Amendment | Prohibit using retirement system funds for non-retirement purposes. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | BI | School Construction Bonds Referendum | Issue $25 million in bonds for school construction and repairs. | Approved |
| 1949 | BI | Secondary Road Bonds Referendum | Issue $200 million in bonds for secondary roads. | Approved |
| 1948 | LRCA | Debt Limitations Amendment | Repeal debt limits and authorize state, counties, and municipalities to contract debt and pledge credit. | Approved |
| 1948 | LRCA | Legislative Salaries Amendment | Set annual salaries at $1,200 for legislators, $1,500 for presiding officers, and provide $250 and $300 for extra sessions, respectively. | Defeated |
| 1948 | LRCA | Property Tax Limits Amendment | Increase the property tax rate limit from 15 cents per $100 valuation to 25 cents per $100 valuation. | Defeated |
| 1948 | LRCA | State and Municipal Debt Amendment | Allow the state and municipalities to contract debts. | Defeated |
| 1946 | LRCA | Gender-Neutral Constitutional Language and Rights Amendment | Change constitutional language from men to persons, extend certain provisions, including those related to jury service, to both men and women, and align the state constitution with the federal women's suffrage amendment | Approved |
| 1946 | LRCA | Legislative Compensation Amendment | Provide compensation for travel expenses for legislators. | Defeated |
| 1944 | LRCA | Board of Education Amendment | Modify the North Carolina State Board of Education’s membership | Approved |
| 1944 | LRCA | Commissioner Officers Amendment | Establish commissioners of agriculture, labor, and insurance as constitutional officers on the council of state. | Approved |
| 1944 | LRCA | Homestead Deeds Amendment | Require a wife's signature to make a homestead deed valid. | Approved |
| 1944 | LRCA | Lieutenant Governor Compensation Amendment | Provide fixed compensation by the general assembly for the lieutenant governor. | Approved |
| 1944 | LRCA | Notaries Public in Multiple Offices Amendment | Exempt notaries public from rules against holding multiple offices simultaneously. | Approved |
| 1942 | LRCA | Board of Education Amendment | Provide for the organization of the state board of education. | Approved |
| 1942 | LRCA | Solicitorial Districts Amendment | Divide the state into 21 solicitorial districts, electing a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases for the state. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | LRCA | Create the State Department of Justice Amendment | Establish the state's Department of Justice. | Approved |
| 1938 | LRCA | Sheriff and Coroner Office Terms Amendment | Increase terms for sheriffs and coroners from two years to four years. | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Homestead Tax Exemption Amendment | Exempt homesteads less than $1,000 from taxation. | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Increase Income Tax Rate Cap to 10% | Increase the cap on income tax rates from 6% to 10% | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Number of Supreme Court Justices Amendment | Authorize the legislature to increase the number of supreme court justices from five to seven. | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Public Debt Limitations Amendment | Authorize public debt to fund obligations, borrow against future taxes, cover deficits, and suppress unrest. | Approved |
| 1936 | LRCA | Uniform Property Taxes Amendment | Provide for uniform taxation across property classes. | Approved |
| 1933 | LRCCQ | Convention to Repeal 18th Amendment Question | Call a state convention to vote on repealing the 18th Amendment. | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Allow Special Elections for Constitutional Amendments Measure | Allow proposed constitutional amendments to be voted on at special elections. | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Insurance Protection Amendment | Protect wives and children from creditors of the insured. | Approved |
| 1932 | LRCA | Sheriff and Coroner Terms of Office Amendment | Increase the terms of office for sheriffs and coroners from two to four years. | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Solicitorial Districts Amendment | Divide the state into 20 districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases. | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Classification of Property for Taxes Amendment | Authorize the classification of real and personal property for tax purposes. | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Number of Supreme Court Justices Amendment | Increase the number of supreme court justices from five to seven. | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Solicitorial Districts Amendment | Divide the state into 20 districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases. | Defeated |
| 1930 | BI | Veterans' Loan Bonds Referendum | Issue an additional two million dollars in bonds for loans to veterans to purchase homes. | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | LRCA | Classification of Property for Taxes Amendment | Authorize the legislature to classify intangible property for taxes and set a uniform rate for each class. | Defeated |
| 1928 | LRCA | Legislative Salaries Amendment | Provide legislators a $600 salary during their term and $8 per day for up to 20 days in extra sessions. | Approved |
| 1928 | LRCA | Solicitorial Districts Amendment | Divide the state into 24 solicitorial districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases. | Defeated |
| 1926 | LRCA | Election Returns for State Executive Officers Amendment | Require election returns for state executive officers to be sealed, transmitted, canvassed, and declared. | Approved |
| 1926 | BI | Veterans' Loan Bonds Referendum | Authorize $2 million in bonds to be loaned to World War veterans to purchase homes. | Approved |
| 1924 | LRCA | Legislative Travel Compensation Amendment | Provide legislators with compensation per session and for mileage traveled to and from sessions. | Defeated |
| 1924 | BI | Referendum 1 | Authorize $2 million in bonds for home loans for World War veterans. | Overturned |
| 1924 | BI | Referendum 2 | Authorize $8.5 million in bonds to create the Port Commission of the State of North Carolina for a system of port terminals and water transportation. | Defeated |
| 1924 | LRCA | Sinking Fund Amendment | Prohibit the use of sinking funds except for bond retirement. | Approved |
| 1924 | LRCA | State Debt Limitations Amendment | Limit state debt to seven and a half percent of the assessed valuation of taxable property in the state. | Approved |
| 1924 | LRCA | Tax Exemptions for Homesteads and Mortgages Amendment | Provide tax exemptions for homesteads less than $3,000 and notes and mortgages with less than 5.5% interest. | Approved |
| 1922 | LRCA | Legislative Salaries Amendment | Increase the daily salary of legislators from four to ten dollars. | Defeated |
| 1920 | LRCA | Reduce Voting Residency Requirement and Eliminate Poll Tax Amendment | Reduce the state's voting residency requirement from two years to one year and to eliminate the poll tax requirement | Approved |
| 1920 | LRCA | State Income Tax and Tax Limits Amendment | Adopt a state income tax capped at 6% | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | LRCA | Tax Exemptions for Homesteads Amendment | Exempt homesteads from taxation. | Approved |
| 1918 | LRCA | School Terms Amendment | Insure six-month school terms. | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Restrict legislation on matters such as labor regulations, juror pay, court establishment, and enforcement of informal wills. | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide emergency judges to prevent trial delays. | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Prevent special charters to corporations by the general assembly. | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Prohibit special charters to towns, cities, and incorporated villages. | Approved |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Increase the public school term from four to six months. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Replace the phrase "insurrection or rebellion against the United States" in the North Carolina Constitution. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Increase the compensation of legislators and decrease their mileage expenses. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Prohibit the General Assembly from passing any local, private, or special acts or resolutions concerning specific matters | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Set the day of inauguration for the governor. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Provide emergency judges to prevent trial delays. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Remove obsolete sections from the constitution. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Repeal and replace Article V of the North Carolina Constitution, which governed taxation and revenue | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Prevent special charters to corporations by the general assembly. | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Prevent special charters to towns, cities, and incorporated villages. | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | LRCA | Voter Literacy Requirement and Poll Tax Amendment | Require people to "read and write any section of the Constitution in English" to register to vote and impose a poll tax as a voting requirement | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | LRCA | Statewide Election for Judicial District Solicitors Amendment | Elect solicitors for the state's twelve judicial districts through a statewide vote | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | LRCA | Increase Size of State Supreme Court Amendment | Increase the size of the North Carolina Supreme Court from three justices to five justices | Approved |
| 1880 | LRCA | Change Requirement for State-Funded Care for Certain Disabled Persons | Allow, rather than require, the state to provide care for individuals considered to be indigent deaf, mute, blind, or insane | Approved |
| 1880 | LRCA | Restrict State Assumption of 1868-1870 Debt Amendment | Prohibit the General Assembly from assuming, paying, or taxing citizens to cover debts or bonds issued by the 1868 convention or the 1868-1870 legislature | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | CCRCA | State Constitution Revisions Amendment | Approve 30 constitutional amendments proposed by the 1875 Constitutional Convention | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Biennial Legislative Sessions Amendment | Change legislative sessions from annual to biennial | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Election of University Trustees Amendment | Authorize the legislature to establish a process for electing trustees of the University of North Carolina | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Eliminate the Code Commission Amendment | Eliminate the Code Commission | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Eliminate the State Census Amendment | Eliminate the state census | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Eliminate the Superintendent of Public Works Amendment | Eliminate the Superintendent of Public Works | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Prohibit Certain Dual-Office Holding in State Legislature Amendment | Prohibit individuals from serving in the state legislature while concurrently holding a federal or state government position | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Property Tax Exemption Amendment | Apply the state's $300 property tax exemption to all types of property | Approved |
| 1873 | LRCA | Repeal Provision Requiring Tax to Pay State Debt Amendment | Repeal a provision of the constitution that required the state to levy a tax to pay the public debt | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1868 | CCRCA | Constitution of 1868 Ratification Measure | Ratify the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 | Approved |
| 1867 | LRCCQ | Constitutional Convention Question | Call for a state constitutional convention | Approved |
| 1866 | CCRCA | Constitution of 1866 Ratification Measure | Ratify the North Carolina Constitution of 1866 | Defeated |
| 1865 | CCRCA | Prohibit Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Amendment | Provide that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than for crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby forever prohibited in this State" | Approved |
| 1865 | CCRCA | Rescind 1861 Secession Ordinance and Affirm Ratification of the U.S. Constitution Amendment | Repeal, rescind, and abrogate the state's ordinance, ratified on May 20, 1861, to secede from the United States | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 | LRCA | Abolish Property Ownership Voting Requirement Amendment | Abolish the 50-acre land ownership requirement to vote for state senators | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1835 | LRSS | Constitutional Convention Question | Call for a state constitutional convention | Approved |
| 1835 | CCRCA | State Constitution Revisions Amendment | Approve constitutional amendments proposed by the 1835 Constitutional Convention | Approved |
Analysis
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of North Carolina ballot measures from 1835 to 2024. North Carolina voters have decided on 202 ballot measures placed on the ballot by the North Carolina State Legislature. The types of measures decided have included advisory questions (1), constitutional convention questions (4), constitutional convention referrals (5), bond issues (38), legislatively referred constitutional amendments (153), and legislatively referred state statutes (1). Of the 202 measures, 147 measures were approved (72.77%), and 55 measures were defeated (27.23%).
The inventory of North Carolina statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and the voting public on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.
Notable measures and topics
North Carolina's ballot measure history
Early constitutional changes
- North Carolinians voted on the state's first ballot measure in 1835, approving a constitutional convention question. The resulting convention resulted in the adoption of the state's second constitution. Before that, only one amendment had been passed between 1776 and 1835—granting borough status to Fayetteville—but it was not decided by public vote.[1] The second constitution eliminated suffrage for free Black residents, made the governor an elected position with a two-year term, equalized the capitation tax on slaves and free white males, and provided methods for amending the constitution.
- In 1857, voters approved a constitutional amendment that removed the 50-acre land ownership requirement for voting in state senate elections, allowing all white male taxpayers to vote.
Reconstruction and post-Civil War amendments
- During the Reconstruction Era after the U.S. Civil War, North Carolina voters approved two constitutional amendments in 1865.
- The first declared that “slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than for crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby forever prohibited in this State.”
- The second repealed and nullified the state's May 20, 1861, ordinance of secession, stating that it was “now, and at all times hath been, null and void,” and reaffirmed that North Carolina’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789, “is now, and at all times since the adoption and ratification thereof... in full force and effect.”
- Voters rejected a proposed constitution in 1866, but approved a constitutional convention question in 1867 and a new constitution in 1868.
- In 1876, voters approved a single ballot measure that included 30 constitutional amendments, including amendments to prohibit interracial marriages; require school segregation between "children of the white race and children of the colored race;" remove the right to vote for persons convicted of felonies or infamous crimes; reduce the Supreme Court from five to three justices; prohibit secret political societies; and establish a Department of Agriculture.
- In 1880, voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the General Assembly from assuming, paying, or taxing citizens to cover debts or bonds issued by the 1868 convention or the 1868–1870 legislature. The 1868 convention was a direct result of the Congressional Reconstruction Acts of 1867.[2]
- In 1914, voters rejected a constitutional amendment to replace the phrase "insurrection or rebellion against the United States" with "war between the states" in the North Carolina Constitution.
Early 20th century voting-related amendments
- In 1900, voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring individuals to "read and write any section of the Constitution in English" to register to vote and imposing a poll tax as a voting requirement. Males eligible to vote on January 1, 1867, or whose direct ancestors were eligible that year, were exempted from the requirements.
- Voters repealed the poll tax as a voting requirement in 1920.
- In 1970, voters rejected a proposal to repeal the literacy requirement, which the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 had rendered inoperative. The provision remains in the state constitution as Section 4 of Article VI.
Education-related amendments
- In 1956, voters approved a constitutional amendment as part of the Pearsall Plan. The constitutional amendment allowed for education expense grants using public funds for a child's private nonsectarian education when (a) no public school is available or (b) the child is assigned to a racially integrated public school against the parent's wishes. The amendment also provided that voters can decide on local ballot measures to suspend the operation of public schools. In 1966, a three-judge federal district court panel held the state amendment violated the federal constitution, writing, "The school boards of this state may not escape the obligation to comply with the mandate of Brown vs. Board of Education."[3]
Governor's powers and elections
- In 1977, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to serve a second consecutive term in office. Previously, they were limited to nonconsecutive terms.
- In 1986, voters rejected a constitutional amendment to move elections from even-numbered to odd-numbered years for governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, and other state and local officers.
- North Carolina was the last state to provide the governor with veto powers, with the approval of a constitutional amendment in 1996.[4]
State taxes and budget
- In 1920, voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow for an income tax, with the rate capped at 6%. In 1936, voters approved a constitutional amendment increasing the cap to 10%. In 2018, a ballot measure was approved, reducing the cap to 7%.
- In 1977, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a balanced budget requirement in the state constitution. The amendment required that state expenditures during a fiscal period could not exceed total revenue and any surplus from the start of that period. It also authorized the governor to reduce expenditures as needed to prevent a deficit while ensuring debt obligations are met.
Statistics
Closest and widest margins
Of the 201 ballot measures, three were decided by less than a percentage point of the vote. The top five closest measures are below:
| Closest vote margins for North Carolina statewide ballot measures, 1835-2024 | |||||||
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| Measure | Year | Yes votes | No votes | Vote margin | Outcome | ||
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The following five measures had the widest vote margins by percentage:
| Widest vote margins for North Carolina statewide ballot measures, 1835-2024 | |||||||
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| Measure | Year | Yes votes | No votes | Vote margin | Outcome | ||
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North Carolina ballot measure topics
North Carolina ballot measures have addressed 48 unique topics with some addressing multiple topics in one measure. The top 10 most common topics addressed are:
- Bond issues (48 measures)
- State legislatures measures (24 measures)
- Education (20 measures)
- Administration of government (19 measures)
- State judiciary (19 measures)
- Taxes (19 measures)
- Elections and campaigns (16 measures)
- Property (14 measures)
- Salaries of government officials (11 measures)
- State executive official measures (11 measures)
By the decade
The average number of measures per decade was almost 11, and the average number of measures approved per decade was 82%. The decade with the most ballot measures was the 1970s, which featured 28 ballot measures, of which, 89% were approved. There were seven decades where ballot measures had a 100% approval rate. The decade with the lowest approval rating was the 1910s. The decade featured 16 ballot measures—six (37.5%) were approved and 10 (62.5%) were defeated.
By type
There are four different types of ballot measures in North Carolina. All four types have appeared on the ballot at least once between 1835 and 2024. The only advisory question in North Carolina appeared on the ballot in 1956. Legislatively referred constitutional amendments have appeared on the ballot the most number of times (153), followed by bond issues, which appeared on the ballot 38 times.
Background
In North Carolina, the state General Assembly can vote to refer measures to the ballot. Citizens of North Carolina do not have the power to initiate statewide ballot measures.
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the North Carolina General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in the North Carolina House of Representatives and 30 votes in the North Carolina State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred bond measures
- See also: Legislatively referred bond measure
According to Section 3 of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution, voter approval is required for state bond issues. Exceptions are made for bond issues designed to fund or refund an existing valid debt; to supply an unforeseen deficiency in state revenue; to borrow in anticipation of tax revenue that would make the borrowing payable within the fiscal year; to meet emergencies immediately threatening public health or safety; or to suppress riots and insurrections or repel invasions.
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the North Carolina General Assembly to place a bond issue on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 61 votes in the North Carolina House of Representatives and 26 votes in the North Carolina State Senate, assuming no vacancies. State bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Constitutional convention questions and referrals
According to Article XIII of the North Carolina Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote vote of both chambers of state Legislature is required to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. A simple majority vote is required for voters to approve the question. Any amendments proposed by a constitutional convention also require voter approval.
