Citizen Ballot Initiatives Archives | American Democracy Minute

Missouri’s Special Session was Called to Gerrymander Another GOP Seat, But There May Be More Voter Suppression Ahead

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

We reported recently on the Missouri governor’s call for a special legislative session to gerrymander another GOP Congressional seat. What didn’t make the headlines was the governor’s additional request to make the citizen ballot initiative process harder, and limit the power of the voters to check a hyperpartisan legislature.

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

December 23, 2024December 23, 2024

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.

After Losing in Court and at the Polls, Utah Legislature Approves Nov. Ballot Measure to Veto or Alter Citizen Ballot Measures to Protect Its Power

September 3, 2024September 3, 2024

In a move exemplifying why gerrymandering is a danger to American democracy, the Utah legislature approved a politician-crafted constitutional amendment ballot measure to give itself the power to veto or alter a citizen ballot measure.

Nevada Supreme Court Throws Out Citizen Ballot Initiatives on Redistricting, and May Have Damaged Future Direct Democracy Efforts in the Process

May 14, 2024May 14, 2024

Fair Maps Nevada had its ballot questions written and vetted by the secretary of state to put a citizen-run independent redistricting commission on November’s ballot. But May 10th, the Nevada Supreme Court threw them out, and may have damaged Nevada’s direct democracy in the process.

South Dakota Democracy Advocates Submit Ballot Measure Signatures for a ‘Top 2’ Single Ballot Open Primary System. If Approved, All Voters Get a Voice in the Primary

May 9, 2024May 9, 2024

May 7th, South Dakota democracy advocates submitted the necessary signatures to put a constitutional amendment establishing a ‘top two’ open primary system on the ballot. The ballot question would allow the 150,000 independent voters whose tax dollars underwrite the primary to actually vote in it.