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1909 ballot measures

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1909 state ballot measures
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State ballot measures

By state   |   By year

Local ballot measures

By state   |   By year

Analyses

State   |   Local


This page provides a list of statewide ballot measures that appeared before voters in 1909.

In the United States, a ballot measure is a law, issue, or question that appears on a statewide or local ballot for voters of that jurisdiction to decide.


  • HBM Factbooks
  • List of ballot measures by state
  • Other years


Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks

See also: Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks

The inventory of 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 state historical ballot measure factbooks.

List of ballot measures by state

Alabama

See also: Alabama 1909 ballot measures

November 29

TypeTitleSubjectDescriptionResultYes VotesNo Votes

LRCA

Amendment 1Alcohol lawsThe amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article XIX. The amendment proposed that the manufacture, sale and keeping for sale of alcoholic and malt liquors and other intoxicating beverages would be forever prohibited; alcohol may be sold for medical, scientific and mechanical purposes, and wine for sacramental purposes. The law shall not prevent the legislature under police power from designating places where such liquors may not be stored or kept.
Defeatedd

49,093 (39%)

76,272 (61%)

Maryland

See also: Maryland 1909 ballot measures

November 2

TypeTitleSubjectResultYes VotesNo Votes

LRCA

Amendment 1Suffrage
Defeatedd

89,801 (46%)

106,512 (54%)

New York

See also: New York 1909 ballot measures

November 2

TypeTitleSubjectDescriptionResultYes VotesNo Votes

LRCA

Amendment 1Salaries of government officialsSet a salary for Supreme Court Justices

Approveda

278,415 (53%)

249,576 (47%)

LRCA

Amendment 2Debt limitsAllow the legislature to alter the rate of interest on debts

Approveda

279,352 (56%)

216,541 (44%)

LRCA

Amendment 3Local government organizationSet the powers of the boards of supervisors, county auditors and other fiscal officers

Approveda

253,774 (53%)

223,331 (47%)

LRCA

Amendment 4Local government finance and taxes; Debt limitsLimit indebtedness of cities

Approveda

290,795 (58%)

207,781 (42%)

Texas

See also: Texas 1909 ballot measures

August 3

TypeTitleSubjectDescriptionResultYes VotesNo Votes

LRCA

Proposition 1Bond issues; EducationAdd a new section to the constitution to validate school districts and school district bonds and authorize taxes to pay school district bonds

Approveda

52,365 (76%)

16,430 (24%)

LRCA

Proposition 2Education; TaxesAuthorize school districts to contain parts of multiple counties and taxation within those districts

Approveda

48,000 (72%)

19,076 (28%)

LRCA

Proposition 3County and municipal governanceLower the city and town population cap to 5,000 for cities to be incorporated

Approveda

44,990 (69%)

19,922 (31%)

Utah

See also: Utah 1909 ballot measures

June 8

TypeTitleSubjectDescriptionResultYes VotesNo Votes

LRAQ

Raise Property Taxes to Fund Construction of Capitol Building MeasureProperty taxes; Revenue allocationRaise property taxes for 15 years to fund a new capitol building
Defeatedd

4,970 (31%)

10,976 (69%)

Other years

Click on a year in the following table to view that year’s state ballot measures.

See also

Ballot Measure Overview

State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
Measures
  • • State ballot measures
  • • Local ballot measures
  • • Analyses
History
  • • Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks
  • • History of ballot measures by topic
Campaigns
  • • Campaign finance
  • • Endorsements
  • • Polls

Footnotes