Changes in 2026 to laws governing ballot measures
As of January 28, 2026, zero bills had been enacted into law concerning ballot measures, initiatives, veto referendums, referrals, local ballot measures, and recall elections in 2026. Ballotpedia tracked 247 legislative proposals on these topics.
On this page, you will find:
- a list of state ballot measures to change ballot measure processes in 2026
- a list of bills enacted in 2026 regarding ballot measures or recall elections
- a map and list of bills proposed in 2026 regarding ballot measures or recall elections
Legislation approved in 2026 by legislative vote
- Are you aware of a bill related to ballot measures or recall that was enacted during a 2026 legislative session that is not listed here, email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
As of January 28, 2026, zero bills had been enacted in 2026.
Legislation enacted in 2026 by state
As of January 28, 2026, zero bills had been enacted in 2026.
Legislation proposed in 2026
The following map shows the number of bills related to ballot measures or recall elections in each state. Click on a state to see a list of bills in that state. Click Back in the upper left-hand corner to return to the map.
Rulings in 2026
The following is a list of court rulings issued in 2026 that affected the ballot measure process.
Missouri
Nicholson v. Missouri
On January 23, 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), enacted in 2025, violated the state constitution's original purpose requirement (Article III, Section 21). The opinion stated, "To pass constitutional muster, the Court must look to the original version of the bill and compare it with the final version. There must be some logical connection between the original purpose of the bill and all of the final provisions in the bill." The court held that SB 22, as enacted, violated its original purpose.[1]
SB 22 made several changes, including increasing the word limit for ballot summaries for legislative referrals from 50 to 100 words; extending the deadline for final rulings on ballot measure challenges from 56 to 70 days before an election; allowing the secretary of state to rewrite ballot summaries up to three times before a court may do so; and permitting the attorney general to appeal a preliminary injunction that blocks a state law from taking effect.[2]
See also
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures
- Changes in 2025 to laws governing ballot measures
- Changes in 2024 to laws governing ballot measures
- Changes in 2023 to laws governing ballot measures
Footnotes
