Types of ballot measures in Kentucky
Initiated |
• Initiated constitutional amendment |
• Initiated state statute |
• Veto referendum |
Legislative |
• Legislative constitutional amendment |
• Legislative state statute |
• Legislative bond issue |
• Advisory question |
Other |
• Automatic ballot referral |
• Commission-referred measure |
• Convention-referred amendment |
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures. |
In Kentucky, the state Legislature can vote to refer measures to the ballot. Citizens of Kentucky do not have the power to initiate statewide ballot measures. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Kentucky.
The types of state ballot measures in Kentucky are:
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Kentucky, 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 Kentucky State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 23 votes in the Kentucky Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. The Legislature cannot add more than four constitutional amendments to one election ballot.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to the Kentucky Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions of the Legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. Turnout for those voting 'yes' at the election must be equal to at least 25% of the qualified electors who voted at the last general election.
Other types of ballot measures
Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:
See also
- List of Kentucky ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Kentucky
- Laws governing the initiative process
- States with initiative or referendum
- States without initiative or referendum
- Amending state constitutions
Footnotes
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