List of North Carolina ballot measures
This page provides a list of ballot measures that have appeared on the statewide ballot in North Carolina.
- The list is comprehensive for state ballot measures since 1835.
North Carolina voters decided on 202 ballot measures between 1835 and 2025. 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.
- HBM Factbook
- List of ballot measures by year
- Types of ballot measures
Historical Ballot Measure Factbook
The inventory of North Carolina 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 North Carolina Historical Ballot Measures Factbook.
List of ballot measures by year
Measures are listed in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent and upcoming elections appearing first. Tables include brief summaries, relevant topics, and the election results for each measure.
2026
See also: North Carolina 2026 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Require Voter Identification Amendment | Voter ID policy | Require photographic identification to vote for all voters, not just those voting in person |
2024
See also: North Carolina 2024 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment | Citizenship voting requirements | Prohibit the state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote | 4,184,680 (78%) | 1,208,865 (22%) |
2018
See also: North Carolina 2018 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elections Board Amendment | State legislative authority; Ethics rules and commissions | Makes the legislature responsible for appointments to election board | 1,371,446 (38%) | 2,199,787 (62%) | ||
| Income Tax Cap Amendment | Income taxes | Changes cap on income tax from 10 percent to 7 percent | 2,094,924 (57%) | 1,557,707 (43%) | ||
| Judicial Selection Amendment | State judiciary structure; State judicial selection | Creates a process, involving a commission, legislature, and governor to appoint to vacant state judicial seats | 1,183,080 (33%) | 2,385,696 (67%) | ||
| Marsy's Law Amendment | Criminal trials; Crime victims' rights | Expands the constitutional rights of crime victims | 2,267,210 (62%) | 1,382,010 (38%) | ||
| Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment | Constitutional rights; Right to hunt and fish | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife | 2,083,123 (57%) | 1,563,090 (43%) | ||
| Voter ID Amendment | Voter ID policy | Requires a photo ID to vote in person | 2,049,121 (55%) | 1,643,983 (45%) |
2016
See also: North Carolina 2016 ballot measures
March 15
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connect NC Public Improvement Bond | Bond issues | Authorize $2 billion in bonds for public improvements | 1,420,072 (66%) | 745,295 (34%) |
2014
See also: North Carolina 2014 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Defendant May Waive Jury Trial Amendment | Criminal trials | Amend North Carolina Constitution to allow criminal defendants to waive jury trial | 1,408,119 (53%) | 1,245,052 (47%) |
2012
See also: North Carolina 2012 ballot measures
May 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | LGBTQ issues; Family-related policy | Define marriage as between a man and a woman, and prohibit civil unions in the state | 1,317,178 (61%) | 840,802 (39%) |
2010
See also: North Carolina 2010 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Local government officials and elections | Prohibit convicted felons from serving as sheriffs | 2,090,837 (85%) | 370,023 (15%) |
2004
See also: North Carolina 2004 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court of Justice Terms Amendment | State judicial authority; State judiciary structure | Clarify court jurisdiction and set magistrate terms at two years initially, followed by four years | 1,984,152 (68%) | 933,021 (32%) | ||
| Public Improvement Financing Amendment | Local government organization; Public economic investment policy | Allow cities and counties to incur debt for economic development projects | 1,504,391 (51%) | 1,429,179 (49%) | ||
| Use of Civil Penalties, Forfeitures, and Fines for Public School Maintenance Funding Amendment | Revenue allocation; Public education funding | 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 | 2,348,155 (78%) | 662,324 (22%) |
2002
See also: North Carolina 2002 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature and Historic Preserve Property Amendment | State legislative processes and sessions; Parks, land, and natural area conservation; Public land policy | Allow property to be added to the State Nature and Historic Preserve through a bill instead of a joint resolution. | 1,283,375 (72%) | 507,426 (28%) |
2000
See also: North Carolina 2000 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Improvement Bonds Referendum | Higher education funding; Bond issues | Issue $3.1 billion in bonds for improvements to the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System | 1,898,592 (74%) | 678,731 (26%) |
1998
See also: North Carolina 1998 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government Water Project Bonds Measure | Drinking water systems; Bond issues; Water storage; Water irrigation policy | Issue $800 million in bonds to provide clean water project funding for local governments | 1,170,453 (68%) | 549,479 (32%) | ||
| Natural Gas Facilities Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Utility policy; Fossil fuel energy | Issue $200 million in bonds to fund the construction of natural gas facilities. | 861,672 (51%) | 825,696 (49%) |
1996
See also: North Carolina 1996 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establish the Governor's Veto Power Amendment | State executive powers and duties; State legislative vote requirements; State legislative processes and sessions | Establish the governor's veto power | 1,652,294 (75%) | 544,335 (25%) | ||
| Highway Projects Bond Measure | Bond issues; Highways and bridges | Issue $950 million in bonds for the construction of highways | 1,323,776 (60%) | 881,510 (40%) | ||
| Public School Buildings Bond Measure | Public education funding; Bond issues | Issue $1.8 billion in bonds to fund public school capital projects | 1,624,022 (72%) | 624,797 (28%) | ||
| Types of Alternative Punishment Amendment | Criminal sentencing | Expand punishment types for convicted criminals, including probation and community service. | 1,889,620 (86%) | 303,596 (14%) | ||
| Victims' Rights Amendment | Crime victims' rights | Assure crime victims the right to be informed and attend court proceedings. | 1,714,872 (78%) | 488,805 (22%) |
1993
See also: North Carolina 1993 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Increment Bonds Amendment | Bond issues; Public economic investment policy | Allow cities and counties to issue tax increment bonds without voter approval | 197,762 (23%) | 651,190 (77%) |
1990
See also: North Carolina 1990 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prison and Youth Facilities Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Prison and jail funding | Issue $200 million in bonds to fund prison and youth facilities. | 690,110 (50%) | 689,528 (50%) |
1986
See also: North Carolina 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elections for Office Vacancies Amendment | State legislative elections; State executive elections | Hold elections to fill an officer's term if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next election. | 740,241 (67%) | 365,959 (33%) | ||
| Higher Education Facilities Bonds Amendment | Higher education funding; Bond issues; Revenue allocation | Authorize state revenue bonds to finance or refinance higher education facilities for nonprofit corporations | 675,587 (60%) | 448,845 (40%) | ||
| Seaport and Airport Development Amendment | Local government organization; Ports and harbors | Grant public bodies additional powers to develop new and existing seaports and airports | 688,911 (64%) | 391,908 (36%) |
May 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Advisory Question | Nuclear energy | Advise the government of support for a "high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel disposal site" | 51,224 (6%) | 771,325 (94%) | ||
| State and County Officer Elections in Odd-Numbered Years Amendment | State executive elections; State legislative elections; Local government officials and elections | Provide for elections of state and county officers in odd-numbered years. | 230,159 (30%) | 547,076 (70%) |
1984
See also: North Carolina 1984 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney General and District Attorneys Requirements Amendment | Local government officials and elections; State executive elections | Require the attorney general and district attorneys to be licensed to practice law before election or appointment. | 1,159,460 (76%) | 357,796 (24%) |
May 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Bonds Agency Amendment | Bond issue requirements; Administrative organization; Agriculture policy | Authorize the creation of an agency to issue revenue bonds to finance the cost of agricultural facilities. | 420,405 (54%) | 360,009 (46%) |
1982
See also: North Carolina 1982 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allow for Tax Increment Bonds Without Voter Approval Amendment | Ballot measure process; Bond issues | Allow the General Assembly to pass laws authorizing the issuance of tax increment bonds without requiring voter approval | 182,167 (18%) | 810,565 (82%) | ||
| Legislative Office Term Start Date Amendment | State legislative structure; State legislative processes and sessions | Require legislators' office terms begin on the first of January following their election | 690,218 (71%) | 276,432 (29%) |
June 29
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allow Temporary Assignment of Retired Appellate Judges Amendment | State judiciary structure | Allow retired Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges to be temporarily assigned to serve on either appellate court | 356,895 (55%) | 295,638 (45%) | ||
| Bonds for Higher Education Facilities Amendment | State legislative authority; Higher education funding; Bond issues | Authorize the state to issue revenue bonds for financing or refinancing higher education facilities for nonprofit corporations | 303,292 (47%) | 338,650 (53%) | ||
| Increase Legislative Term Lengths Amendment | State legislative elections | Increase the term limits for legislators from two to four years. | 163,058 (24%) | 522,181 (76%) | ||
| Seaport and Airport Development Amendment | Ports and harbors; Airport infrastructure | Provide public bodies additional powers to develop new and existing seaports and airports. | 292,031 (46%) | 342,567 (54%) | ||
| Supreme Court Review Authority Amendment | State judicial authority | Authorize the supreme court to review direct appeals from the North Carolina Utilities Commission | 392,886 (61%) | 253,629 (39%) |
1980
See also: North Carolina 1980 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge Requirements Amendment | State judicial selection | Require justices and judges to be authorized to practice law before election or appointment | 888,634 (72%) | 352,714 (28%) |
1977
See also: North Carolina 1977 ballot measures
November 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Budget Amendment | Balanced budget requirements | 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 | 443,453 (81%) | 104,935 (19%) | ||
| Governor Elected Terms Amendment | Executive official term limits | Allow the governor and lieutenant governor to serve a second consecutive term in office | 307,754 (53%) | 278,013 (47%) | ||
| Highway Bonds Referendum | Highways and bridges; Bond issues | Issue $300 million in highway bonds | 390,626 (67%) | 194,129 (33%) | ||
| Life Insurance Benefits for Spouse and Children Free from Creditors Amendment | Insurance policy; Family-related policy | 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 | 513,526 (90%) | 57,835 (10%) | ||
| Municipal Electric Facilities Amendment | Bond issues; Utility policy; Local government organization | Allow municipalities to partner on electric facilities and issue bonds to finance their share | 349,935 (66%) | 180,624 (34%) | ||
| Spousal Homestead Exemption Amendment | Homestead tax exemptions | Extend homestead exemption rights to widowed men if the spouse does not own a separate homestead | 517,366 (90%) | 59,714 (10%) | ||
| Water Quality and Water System Improvements Bond Measure | Bond issues; Drinking water systems; Water irrigation policy; Water storage | Issue $230 million in clean water bonds | 427,392 (73%) | 159,949 (27%) |
1976
See also: North Carolina 1976 ballot measures
March 23
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Facilities Bonds Amendment | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Allow the legislature to authorize state and local governments to issue revenue bonds to finance or refinance healthcare facilities. | 382,093 (55%) | 311,300 (45%) | ||
| Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds Amendment | Bond issues | Allow the legislature to authorize counties to issue revenue bonds for industrial, manufacturing, and pollution control facilities. | 373,033 (55%) | 304,938 (45%) |
1974
See also: North Carolina 1974 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds | Bond issues | Authorize revenue bonds to finance industrial and pollution control facilities for job creation. | 317,285 (46%) | 376,269 (54%) | ||
| Office of District Attorney Amendment | State executive branch structure | Change the name of the office of solicitor to the office of district attorney | 474,199 (66%) | 249,452 (34%) |
1973
See also: North Carolina 1973 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditures for Wastewater Treatment Projects Measure | Bond issues; Sewage and stormwater | Amend the Clean Water Bond Act of 1971 to allow the expenditure of funds for wastewater treatment projects | 740,336 (80%) | 190,895 (20%) | ||
| Sale of Mixed Beverages Amendment | Alcohol laws; Local government organization | Allow the sale and consumption of mixed beverages in counties that authorize such sales | 292,397 (30%) | 676,102 (70%) | ||
| School Facilities Bonds Referendum | Public education funding; Bond issues | Issue $300 million in bonds for the construction of school facilities | 646,519 (68%) | 304,386 (32%) |
1972
See also: North Carolina 1972 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Censure and Removal of Justices and Judges of the General Court of Justice Amendment | State legislative authority; State judiciary oversight | Allow the General Assembly to establish procedures for censuring and removing Justices and Judges of the General Court of Justice | 807,960 (75%) | 272,470 (25%) | ||
| Conservation of Natural Resources Policy Amendment | Pollution, waste, and recycling policy; Parks, land, and natural area conservation | Provide that "the policy of this State to conserve and protect its lands and waters for the benefit of all its citizenry" | 976,581 (87%) | 146,895 (13%) | ||
| Judicial Mandatory Retirement Age Requirement Amendment | Judicial term limits; State judiciary oversight; Age limits for officials | Require the General Assembly to establish a maximum age limit for justices and judges | 811,440 (73%) | 304,489 (27%) | ||
| Municipal Incorporation Amendment | Local government organization | Limit the incorporation of cities and towns | 694,921 (65%) | 374,184 (35%) | ||
| Voting and Elective Office Age Requirements Amendment | State executive elections; State legislative elections; Voting age policy | Lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years and require individuals to be at least 21 years old to hold elective office. | 762,651 (64%) | 425,708 (36%) |
May 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Quality and Systems Improvement Projects Bond Measure | Bond issues; Drinking water systems; Sewage and stormwater; Water irrigation policy; Water storage | Issue $150 million in bonds for clean water | 554,085 (69%) | 249,475 (31%) | ||
| Zoological Park Facilities Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Parks, land, and natural area conservation | Issue $2 million in bonds for zoological park facilities. | 418,342 (55%) | 341,294 (45%) |
1970
See also: North Carolina 1970 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escheats Fund for Public College Student Aid Amendment | Higher education funding | Direct unclaimed property exclusively to aid North Carolina residents enrolled in public colleges and universities after June 30, 1971 | 362,097 (59%) | 248,451 (41%) | ||
| Income Tax Exemptions Amendment | Income taxes | Authorize the general assembly to fix personal exemptions from income taxes. | 336,660 (54%) | 282,697 (46%) | ||
| Legislative Sessions Amendment | State legislative authority; State legislative processes and sessions | Allow three-fifths of the general assembly to convene extra sessions | 332,981 (54%) | 285,587 (46%) | ||
| Reduce Number of State Administrative Departments Amendment | State executive branch structure | Reduce state administrative departments to 25 and allow the governor to reorganize them | 400,892 (62%) | 248,795 (38%) | ||
| Repeal Literacy Voting Requirement Amendment | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements | Repeal the literacy requirement for voting from the North Carolina Constitution | 279,132 (44%) | 355,347 (56%) | ||
| State and Local Finances Amendment | Local government finance and taxes; Tax and revenue administration | Revise parts of the constitution on state and local finances | 323,131 (53%) | 281,087 (47%) | ||
| State Constitution of 1971 Measure | State constitution ratification | Adopt a revised North Carolina Constitution, which became known as the Constitution of 1971 | 393,759 (61%) | 251,132 (39%) |
1969
See also: North Carolina 1969 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Option Sales Tax Amendment | Sales taxes | Increase the local option sales tax by one percent | 181,786 (34%) | 349,618 (66%) |
1968
See also: North Carolina 1968 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legislative Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Establish a procedure to fix compensation for legislators | 573,289 (55%) | 465,225 (45%) | ||
| Legislative Representation and Multi-County House Districts Amendment | Redistricting policy; Constitutional wording changes | Align constitutional language on legislative representation with federal court rulings, allowing multi-county house districts based on population | 582,633 (61%) | 373,395 (39%) |
1965
See also: North Carolina 1965 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway Bonds Referendum | Highways and bridges; Bond issues | Issue $300 million in bonds for highways | 245,194 (76%) | 77,517 (24%) | ||
| Intermediate Court of Appeals Amendment | State judiciary structure | Authorize an intermediate court of appeals within the appellate division of the general court of justice | 227,917 (74%) | 81,701 (26%) |
1964
See also: North Carolina 1964 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public School Facilities Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Public education funding | Issue $100 million in bonds for public school facilities | 911,648 (72%) | 354,925 (28%) |
January 14
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase Size of Senate and Reduce Size of House Amendment | Redistricting policy; State legislative structure | Increase the Senate membership from 50 to 70 and reduce the number of Representatives from 120 to 100 | 125,334 (36%) | 224,488 (64%) | ||
| Spousal Property Rights Amendment | Family-related policy | Provide husbands and wives the same rights to each other's separate property | 274,291 (80%) | 66,676 (20%) |
1962
See also: North Carolina 1962 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judiciary Organization Amendment | State judiciary structure; State judicial authority | Revise the structure and functioning of the state's judicial department | 357,067 (61%) | 232,774 (39%) | ||
| Legislative Reapportionment Amendment | State legislative elections; Redistricting policy | Mandate automatic reapportionment of assembly representatives after each census. | 311,586 (57%) | 231,329 (43%) | ||
| Presidential Election Voting Residency Requirement Amendment | Residency voting requirements | Permit residents who do not meet residency requirements to vote in presidential elections if otherwise qualified | 332,731 (60%) | 223,898 (40%) | ||
| Property Classification for Taxes Amendment | Property tax exemptions; State legislative authority; Property taxes | Limit the general assembly's authority to classify and exempt property from taxation to the statewide level | 300,518 (55%) | 244,529 (45%) | ||
| Salaries of State Executive Officers Amendment | State legislative authority; Salaries of government officials | Provide greater authority to the legislature over the salaries of state executive officers | 296,440 (54%) | 252,393 (46%) | ||
| Succession of State Executive Offices Amendment | State executive branch structure | Establish procedures for determining the governor's incapacity, appointing replacements, and fix the seat of government in Raleigh | 321,423 (59%) | 223,670 (41%) |
1961
See also: North Carolina 1961 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Research Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Agriculture policy | Issue $289,000 in bonds for improvements to the state's agricultural research stations. | 123,228 (34%) | 236,753 (66%) | ||
| Capitol Buildings Construction Bonds Referendum | Bond issues | Issue more than $2 million in bonds to construct of buildings for state purposes in the capitol area. | 108,268 (30%) | 253,439 (70%) | ||
| Community College Improvement Bonds Referendum | Higher education funding; Bond issues | Issue more than $1 million in bonds for improvements on community colleges. | 135,000 (37%) | 226,626 (63%) | ||
| Correctional Schools Improvement Bonds Referendum | Prison and jail funding; Bond issues | Issue more than $1 million in bonds for improvements at state correctional schools. | 144,102 (40%) | 218,716 (60%) | ||
| Educational Institutions Improvement Bonds Referendum | Public education funding; Higher education funding; Bond issues | Issue over $31 million in bonds for state educational institution improvements | 139,641 (37%) | 233,046 (63%) | ||
| Hospital Construction Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Issue $500,000 in bonds for the construction of local hospitals. | 139,946 (39%) | 222,057 (61%) | ||
| Library Building Construction Bonds Referendum | Bond issues | Issue over $2 million in bonds to construct a building for archives, history, and the state library. | 104,504 (29%) | 253,749 (71%) | ||
| Mental Institution Improvement Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Issue more than $7 million in bonds for improvements on the state's mental institutions. | 168,784 (46%) | 195,052 (54%) | ||
| Natural Resources Conservation Bonds Referendum | Parks, land, and natural area conservation; Bond issues | Issue $961,000 in bonds for natural resource conservation and development improvements. | 120,976 (34%) | 237,996 (66%) | ||
| Port Facilities Improvement Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Ports and harbors | Issue $13.5 million in bonds for state port facility construction and improvements | 129,767 (36%) | 229,630 (64%) |
1959
See also: North Carolina 1959 ballot measures
October 27
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referendum 1 | Bond issues; Public education funding | Issue more than $18 million in bonds for capital improvements of the state's educational institutions and agencies | 70,476 (64%) | 40,123 (36%) | ||
| Referendum 2 | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Issue more than $12 million in bonds for capital improvements of the state's mental health institutions. | 81,787 (73%) | 30,294 (27%) | ||
| Referendum 3 | Higher education funding; Bond issues | Issue $1.5 million in bonds for aid grants and capital improvements of the state's community colleges | 64,562 (60%) | 43,755 (40%) | ||
| Referendum 4 | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Issue $500,000 in bonds to fund local hospital construction. | 68,959 (63%) | 40,862 (37%) | ||
| Referendum 5 | State National Guard and militia; Bond issues; Defense-related funding | Issue $100,000 in bonds for capital improvements of the state's armory commission. | 51,554 (49%) | 54,560 (51%) | ||
| Referendum 6 | Bond issues; Prison and jail funding | Issue $466,000 in bonds for capital improvements at the state's correctional institutions. | 69,684 (64%) | 39,375 (36%) | ||
| Referendum 7 | Bond issues; Healthcare facility funding | Issue $140,000 in bonds for capital improvements of the blind rehabilitation center. | 80,609 (73%) | 30,564 (27%) | ||
| Referendum 8 | Ports and harbors; Bond issues | Issue $500,000 in bonds for port facilities in the town of Southport | 54,456 (51%) | 52,007 (49%) | ||
| Referendum 9 | Bond issues | Issue $250,000 in bonds for the construction and restoration of historical sites. | 51,870 (49%) | 54,613 (51%) |
1958
See also: North Carolina 1958 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice of the Peace Jurisdiction Amendment | State judicial authority | Expand justices of the peace jurisdiction to include civil cases under $200 and criminal matters with fines up to $50 | 199,240 (40%) | 301,090 (60%) |
1956
See also: North Carolina 1956 ballot measures
September 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Expense Grants and Local School Suspension Votes Amendment | School choice policy; Race and ethnicity issues | Allow education grants for private nonsectarian schooling in specific situations. | 471,657 (82%) | 101,767 (18%) | ||
| Legislative Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Compensate legislators $15 per day and presiding officers $20 per day for up to 120 days in regular sessions | 343,351 (71%) | 137,944 (29%) | ||
| Legislative Session Start Date Amendment | State legislative processes and sessions | Start biennial legislative sessions on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in February. | 382,968 (82%) | 84,695 (18%) | ||
| Spousal Powers of Attorney Amendment | Family-related policy | Allow married women to use powers of attorney granted by their husbands. | 412,655 (85%) | 70,316 (15%) |
1954
See also: North Carolina 1954 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elections to Fill Vacancies Amendment | State executive powers and duties | Remove election requirements for state office vacancies after January 1 before a general election, filling them by gubernatorial appointment | 190,098 (58%) | 135,683 (42%) | ||
| Establish Board of Paroles Amendment | State executive branch structure | Establish a board of parole with the authority to grant, revoke, and terminate parole | 213,088 (63%) | 124,797 (37%) | ||
| Reduce Precinct Residency Voting Requirement Amendment | Residency voting requirements | Reduce the residency requirement for voting in a precinct from four months to 30 days before an election | 195,474 (57%) | 148,698 (43%) | ||
| Senatorial Districts Amendment | Redistricting policy | Limit senatorial districts with only one county to one senator. | 147,588 (42%) | 200,436 (58%) | ||
| Supreme Court Justice Retirement and Temporary Service Amendment | Judicial term limits; State judicial authority; State judiciary oversight | Authorize the General Assembly to establish a process for the retirement of Supreme Court justices | 205,788 (60%) | 137,086 (40%) |
1952
See also: North Carolina 1952 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Limitation Amendment | Property taxes | Limit state and county property taxes to 20 cents per $100 valuation | 449,900 (56%) | 355,602 (44%) | ||
| Vacancies in State Executive Offices Amendment | State executive powers and duties | Fill vacancies in state executive offices by governor appointment | 474,602 (70%) | 204,488 (30%) | ||
| Vacancies in the Legislature Amendment | State legislative elections | Fill vacancies in the legislature by governor appointment | 460,856 (65%) | 251,395 (35%) |
1950
See also: North Carolina 1950 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judicial Assignment and Special Court Jurisdiction Amendment | State executive powers and duties; State legislative authority; State judicial authority | 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 | 207,153 (69%) | 91,743 (31%) | ||
| Judicial Districts Amendment | State legislative authority; State judiciary structure | Allow the legislature to determine judicial districts and the number of judges | 213,922 (71%) | 88,664 (29%) | ||
| Legislative Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Compensate legislators $15 and presiding officers $20 per day for up to 90 days | 215,269 (66%) | 108,672 (34%) | ||
| Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System Amendment | Public employee retirement funds | Prohibit using retirement system funds for non-retirement purposes. | 299,187 (82%) | 65,512 (18%) | ||
| Waiver of Indictment Amendment | Criminal trials | Allow individuals, when represented by legal counsel, to choose to waive their right to a formal indictment, except those involving capital offenses | 213,156 (70%) | 92,205 (30%) |
1949
See also: North Carolina 1949 ballot measures
June 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Construction Bonds Referendum | Public education funding; Bond issues | Issue $25 million in bonds for school construction and repairs | 273,663 (69%) | 122,460 (31%) | ||
| Secondary Road Bonds Referendum | Highways and bridges; Bond issues | Issue $200 million in bonds for secondary roads | 229,493 (57%) | 174,647 (43%) |
1948
See also: North Carolina 1948 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt Limitations Amendment | Local government organization; Local government finance and taxes; Debt limits | Repeal debt limits and authorize state, counties, and municipalities to contract debt and pledge credit | 287,350 (67%) | 141,858 (33%) | ||
| Legislative Salaries Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Set annual salaries at $1,200 for legislators, $1,500 for presiding officers, and provide $250 and $300 for extra sessions, respectively. | 235,535 (49%) | 248,786 (51%) | ||
| Property Tax Limits Amendment | Property taxes | Increase the property tax rate limit from 15 cents per $100 valuation to 25 cents per $100 valuation | 90,414 (19%) | 374,154 (81%) | ||
| State and Municipal Debt Amendment | Local government organization; Local government finance and taxes | Allow the state and municipalities to contract debts | 164,063 (38%) | 273,409 (62%) |
1946
See also: North Carolina 1946 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender-Neutral Constitutional Language and Rights Amendment | Constitutional wording changes; Constitutional rights | 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 | 186,540 (58%) | 133,396 (42%) | ||
| Legislative Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Provide compensation for travel expenses for legislators | 143,021 (50%) | 143,918 (50%) |
1944
See also: North Carolina 1944 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Education Amendment | Public education governance; Administrative organization | Modify the North Carolina State Board of Education’s membership | 164,723 (60%) | 107,742 (40%) | ||
| Commissioner Officers Amendment | State executive branch structure | Establish commissioners of agriculture, labor, and insurance as constitutional officers on the council of state | 234,683 (69%) | 106,321 (31%) | ||
| Homestead Deeds Amendment | Family-related policy | Require a wife's signature to make a homestead deed valid | 183,802 (54%) | 155,359 (46%) | ||
| Lieutenant Governor Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials; State legislative authority | Provide fixed compensation by the general assembly for the lieutenant governor | 181,083 (56%) | 140,477 (44%) | ||
| Notaries Public in Multiple Offices Amendment | Local government officials and elections | Exempt notaries public from rules against holding multiple offices simultaneously | 205,373 (62%) | 127,965 (38%) |
1942
See also: North Carolina 1942 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Education Amendment | Public education governance; Administrative organization | Provide for the organization of the state board of education. | 148,517 (57%) | 109,798 (43%) | ||
| Solicitorial Districts Amendment | State judiciary structure | Divide the state into 21 solicitorial districts, electing a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases for the state. | 107,702 (54%) | 92,883 (46%) |
1938
See also: North Carolina 1938 ballot measures
November 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create the State Department of Justice Amendment | State executive branch structure | Establish the state's Department of Justice | 172,583 (54%) | 145,103 (46%) | ||
| Sheriff and Coroner Office Terms Amendment | Local government officials and elections | Increase terms for sheriffs and coroners from two years to four years. | 206,069 (51%) | 197,593 (49%) |
1936
See also: North Carolina 1936 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead Tax Exemption Amendment | Homestead tax exemptions | Exempt homesteads less than $1,000 from taxation | 312,976 (65%) | 166,752 (35%) | ||
| Increase Income Tax Rate Cap to 10% | Income taxes | Increase the cap on income tax rates from 6% to 10% | 242,492 (58%) | 178,373 (42%) | ||
| Number of Supreme Court Justices Amendment | State judiciary structure | Authorize the legislature to increase the number of supreme court justices from five to seven. | 257,980 (60%) | 168,496 (40%) | ||
| Public Debt Limitations Amendment | Local government finance and taxes | Authorize public debt to fund obligations, borrow against future taxes, cover deficits, and suppress unrest | 255,416 (63%) | 149,086 (37%) | ||
| Uniform Property Taxes Amendment | Property taxes | Provide for uniform taxation across property classes | 242,899 (61%) | 152,516 (39%) |
1933
See also: North Carolina 1933 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convention to Repeal 18th Amendment Question | Federal government issues; State constitutional conventions; Alcohol laws | Call a state convention to vote on repealing the 18th Amendment. | 120,190 (29%) | 293,484 (71%) |
1932
See also: North Carolina 1932 ballot measures
November 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allow Special Elections for Constitutional Amendments Measure | Ballot measure process | Allow proposed constitutional amendments to be voted on at special elections. | 162,598 (42%) | 226,252 (58%) | ||
| Insurance Protection Amendment | Insurance policy | Protect wives and children from creditors of the insured. | 304,885 (68%) | 145,448 (32%) | ||
| Sheriff and Coroner Terms of Office Amendment | Local official term limits | Increase the terms of office for sheriffs and coroners from two to four years | 187,834 (41%) | 275,458 (59%) | ||
| Solicitorial Districts Amendment | State judiciary structure | Divide the state into 20 districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases | 150,881 (43%) | 199,903 (57%) |
1930
See also: North Carolina 1930 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification of Property for Taxes Amendment | Property taxes | Authorize the classification of real and personal property for tax purposes | 120,264 (44%) | 152,760 (56%) | ||
| Number of Supreme Court Justices Amendment | State judiciary structure | Increase the number of supreme court justices from five to seven | 96,062 (35%) | 180,950 (65%) | ||
| Solicitorial Districts Amendment | State judiciary structure | Divide the state into 20 districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases | 102,705 (40%) | 153,332 (60%) | ||
| Veterans' Loan Bonds Referendum | Bond issues; Veterans policy | Issue an additional two million dollars in bonds for loans to veterans to purchase homes. | 186,184 (61%) | 121,546 (39%) |
1928
See also: North Carolina 1928 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification of Property for Taxes Amendment | State legislative authority; Property taxes | Authorize the legislature to classify intangible property for taxes and set a uniform rate for each class | 124,894 (44%) | 158,354 (56%) | ||
| Legislative Salaries Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Provide legislators a $600 salary during their term and $8 per day for up to 20 days in extra sessions. | 147,946 (50%) | 147,734 (50%) | ||
| Solicitorial Districts Amendment | State judiciary structure | Divide the state into 24 solicitorial districts, elect a solicitor for each to prosecute criminal cases | 123,249 (45%) | 150,061 (55%) |
1926
See also: North Carolina 1926 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election Returns for State Executive Officers Amendment | Election administration and governance | Require election returns for state executive officers to be sealed, transmitted, canvassed, and declared | 47,618 (66%) | 24,800 (34%) | ||
| Veterans' Loan Bonds Referendum | Veterans policy; Bond issues | Authorize $2 million in bonds to be loaned to World War veterans to purchase homes. | 65,951 (72%) | 26,084 (28%) |
1924
See also: North Carolina 1924 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legislative Travel Compensation Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Provide legislators with compensation per session and for mileage traveled to and from sessions | 97,248 (46%) | 112,606 (54%) | ||
| Referendum 1 | Bond issues; Veterans policy | Authorize $2 million in bonds for home loans for World War veterans. | 143,015 (70%) | 62,261 (30%) | ||
| Referendum 2 | Ports and harbors; Bond issues | 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 | 126,820 (40%) | 193,913 (60%) | ||
| Sinking Fund Amendment | Budget stabilization funds | Prohibit the use of sinking funds except for bond retirement | 109,434 (68%) | 50,571 (32%) | ||
| State Debt Limitations Amendment | Debt limits | Limit state debt to seven and a half percent of the assessed valuation of taxable property in the state | 127,937 (75%) | 43,026 (25%) | ||
| Tax Exemptions for Homesteads and Mortgages Amendment | Homestead tax exemptions | Provide tax exemptions for homesteads less than $3,000 and notes and mortgages with less than 5.5% interest | 149,151 (76%) | 46,827 (24%) |
1922
See also: North Carolina 1922 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legislative Salaries Amendment | Salaries of government officials | Increase the daily salary of legislators from four to ten dollars. | 72,297 (34%) | 138,765 (66%) |
1920
See also: North Carolina 1920 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce Voting Residency Requirement and Eliminate Poll Tax Amendment | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements; Residency voting requirements | Reduce the state's voting residency requirement from two years to one year and to eliminate the poll tax requirement | 235,608 (74%) | 83,366 (26%) | ||
| State Income Tax and Tax Limits Amendment | Income taxes; Property taxes | Adopt a state income tax capped at 6% | 262,873 (76%) | 81,109 (24%) |
1918
See also: North Carolina 1918 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Terms Amendment | Public education governance | Insure six-month school terms. | 122,062 (86%) | 20,095 (14%) | ||
| Tax Exemptions for Homesteads Amendment | Homestead tax exemptions | Exempt homesteads from taxation | 79,946 (80%) | 19,846 (20%) |
1916
See also: North Carolina 1916 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislative authority | Restrict legislation on matters such as labor regulations, juror pay, court establishment, and enforcement of informal wills. | 57,465 (72%) | 22,171 (28%) | ||
| Amendment 2 | State judiciary structure | Provide emergency judges to prevent trial delays. | 56,721 (71%) | 23,132 (29%) | ||
| Amendment 3 | State legislative authority; Local government organization | Prevent special charters to corporations by the general assembly | 56,345 (72%) | 22,250 (28%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | Local government organization | Prohibit special charters to towns, cities, and incorporated villages | 55,783 (71%) | 22,681 (29%) |
1914
See also: North Carolina 1914 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Constitutional wording changes | Replace the phrase "insurrection or rebellion against the United States" in the North Carolina Constitution. | 57,816 (49%) | 61,031 (51%) | ||
| Amendment 10 | Public education governance | Increase the public school term from four to six months. | 59,159 (49%) | 61,317 (51%) | ||
| Amendment 2 | Salaries of government officials | Increase the compensation of legislators and decrease their mileage expenses. | 50,722 (43%) | 68,149 (57%) | ||
| Amendment 3 | State legislative authority | Prohibit the General Assembly from passing any local, private, or special acts or resolutions concerning specific matters | 54,727 (47%) | 62,953 (53%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | State executive elections | Set the day of inauguration for the governor | 57,321 (49%) | 60,220 (51%) | ||
| Amendment 5 | State judiciary structure | Provide emergency judges to prevent trial delays. | 56,255 (47%) | 62,981 (53%) | ||
| Amendment 6 | Constitutional wording changes | Remove obsolete sections from the constitution. | 54,414 (46%) | 62,728 (54%) | ||
| Amendment 7 | Debt limits; Property taxes; Property tax exemptions; State legislative authority; Bond issue requirements | Repeal and replace Article V of the North Carolina Constitution, which governed taxation and revenue | 50,520 (43%) | 68,148 (57%) | ||
| Amendment 8 | State legislative authority; Business regulations | Prevent special charters to corporations by the general assembly. | 54,358 (46%) | 63,201 (54%) | ||
| Amendment 9 | Local government organization | Prevent special charters to towns, cities, and incorporated villages | 53,887 (46%) | 63,027 (54%) |
1900
See also: North Carolina 1900 ballot measures
August 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Literacy Requirement and Poll Tax Amendment | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements | 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 | 182,217 (59%) | 128,285 (41%) |
1892
See also: North Carolina 1892 ballot measures
November 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Election for Judicial District Solicitors Amendment | State judiciary structure; State judicial selection | Elect solicitors for the state's twelve judicial districts through a statewide vote | 135,966 (53%) | 120,476 (47%) |
1888
See also: North Carolina 1888 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase Size of State Supreme Court Amendment | State judiciary structure | Increase the size of the North Carolina Supreme Court from three justices to five justices | 121,659 (81%) | 29,377 (19%) |
1880
See also: North Carolina 1880 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change Requirement for State-Funded Care for Certain Disabled Persons | Public assistance programs | Allow, rather than require, the state to provide care for individuals considered to be indigent deaf, mute, blind, or insane | 87,163 (55%) | 70,459 (45%) | ||
| Restrict State Assumption of 1868-1870 Debt Amendment | Debt limits; Bond issue requirements | 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 | 117,388 (96%) | 5,458 (4%) |
1876
See also: North Carolina 1876 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Constitution Revisions Amendment | Voting rights for persons with criminal convictions; Family-related policy; Race and ethnicity issues; Public education governance; Constitutional wording changes; Agriculture policy; Administrative organization; State executive branch structure; State judiciary structure | Approve 30 constitutional amendments proposed by the 1875 Constitutional Convention | 120,159 (53%) | 106,554 (47%) |
1873
See also: North Carolina 1873 ballot measures
August 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biennial Legislative Sessions Amendment | State legislative processes and sessions | Change legislative sessions from annual to biennial | 70,740 (71%) | 29,033 (29%) | ||
| Election of University Trustees Amendment | Higher education governance; State executive elections | Authorize the legislature to establish a process for electing trustees of the University of North Carolina | 67,839 (69%) | 30,728 (31%) | ||
| Eliminate the Code Commission Amendment | Administrative organization | Eliminate the Code Commission | 70,315 (78%) | 20,080 (22%) | ||
| Eliminate the State Census Amendment | Census policy | Eliminate the state census | 70,721 (71%) | 29,087 (29%) | ||
| Eliminate the Superintendent of Public Works Amendment | State executive branch structure | Eliminate the Superintendent of Public Works | 70,982 (71%) | 28,888 (29%) | ||
| Prohibit Certain Dual-Office Holding in State Legislature Amendment | State legislative processes and sessions | Prohibit individuals from serving in the state legislature while concurrently holding a federal or state government position | 69,331 (70%) | 29,188 (30%) | ||
| Property Tax Exemption Amendment | Property tax exemptions | Apply the state's $300 property tax exemption to all types of property | 63,292 (64%) | 36,123 (36%) | ||
| Repeal Provision Requiring Tax to Pay State Debt Amendment | Debt limits | Repeal a provision of the constitution that required the state to levy a tax to pay the public debt | 74,731 (72%) | 28,634 (28%) |
1868
See also: North Carolina 1868 ballot measures
April 23
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitution of 1868 Ratification Measure | State constitution ratification | Ratify the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 | 93,086 (56%) | 74,016 (44%) |
1867
See also: North Carolina 1867 ballot measures
November 20
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Convention Question | State constitutional conventions | Call for a state constitutional convention | 93,006 (74%) | 32,961 (26%) |
1866
See also: North Carolina 1866 ballot measures
August 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitution of 1866 Ratification Measure | State constitution ratification | Ratify the North Carolina Constitution of 1866 | 19,880 (48%) | 21,770 (52%) |
1865
See also: North Carolina 1865 ballot measures
November 9
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibit Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Amendment | Constitutional rights; Constitutional wording changes | 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" | 18,527 (83%) | 3,696 (17%) | ||
| Rescind 1861 Secession Ordinance and Affirm Ratification of the U.S. Constitution Amendment | Constitutional wording changes; Federal government issues | Repeal, rescind, and abrogate the state's ordinance, ratified on May 20, 1861, to secede from the United States | 19,977 (91%) | 1,940 (9%) |
1857
See also: North Carolina 1857 ballot measures
August 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abolish Property Ownership Voting Requirement Amendment | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements | Abolish the 50-acre land ownership requirement to vote for state senators | 50,095 (72%) | 19,382 (28%) |
1835
See also: North Carolina 1835 ballot measures
November 9
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Constitution Revisions Amendment | Impeachment rules; Ballot measure process; Race and ethnicity issues; State executive elections; State legislative structure; Race and suffrage | Approve constitutional amendments proposed by the 1835 Constitutional Convention | 26,771 (55%) | 21,606 (45%) |
April 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Convention Question | State constitutional conventions | Call for a state constitutional convention | 27,550 (56%) | 21,694 (44%) |
Types of ballot measures in North Carolina
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In North Carolina, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
Legislative referrals
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
- See also: Constitutional convention question
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.
See also
Footnotes