Ballot measure Archives | American Democracy Minute

What States are Next? Updates on Pre-Midterm Gerrymandering Prospects in Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Alabama & New Hampshire

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

The midterm gerrymandering arms race is on, with the current balance of power in the U.S. Congress 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats. Red states Texas and Missouri have finished manipulating their Congressional maps. What states are next?

Federal 1st Circuit Deems Maine Ballot Initiative Limiting Foreign Spending in State Elections is Likely Unconstitutional

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

The voices of 86% of Maine voters were silenced July 14th as a federal appeals court found a 2023 ballot initiative limiting political spending by foreign-owned corporations likely violates the Constitution’s right to free speech.

State of Ohio Embroiled in Another Fight Over Manipulating Citizen Ballot Initiatives It Doesn’t Like. Now the U.S. Supreme Court is Involved.

April 16, 2025April 16, 2025

In 2024, a ballot measure to throw out Ohio’s dysfunctional politician-led redistricting process with an independent citizen-led process had its description rewritten by state officials to sink it. Now, Ohio officials are trying to sink two more measures they don’t like, and the U.S. Supreme Court is now involved.

Citizen Ballot Initiatives Help Voters Bypass Extreme Legislatures. But Expect More Attempts to Block Those Initiatives in 2025

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025

As voters turn to ballot initiatives to bypass extreme legislatures, legislatures are manipulating initiative rules to protect their partisan power. Expect more such attacks on direct democracy in 2025.

Will Utah’s Voter-Approved Independent Redistricting Commission and Fair Maps Prevail Over the Legislature’s Attempt to Rig Them?

February 5, 2025February 5, 2025

In 2018, Utah voters approved a ballot initiative establishing an independent redistricting commission to create fair voting districts. The legislature neutralized it, and gerrymandered the maps anyway. It’s now back before a Utah judge.