Automatic ballot referral explained

An automatic ballot referral (or compulsory referral) is a type of referendum that is legally required to automatically be placed on a ballot. In the United States, many states have laws in their constitution requiring a question to hold a constitutional convention to appear before the voters after a scheduled amount of time.[1]

Types

Constitutional Convention

In the United States, fourteen states' constitutions state that they must give voters a chance to decide if they want to amend the constitution at set times.

StateUpcoming year of voteYears between votePercent voted yesat last vote
Alaska2022[2] 1032.3
Connecticut2028[3] 2040.1
2028[4] 1023.7
Iowa2020[5] 1032.8
Illinois2028[6] 2032.6
Maryland2030[7] 2048.1
Michigan2026[8] 1633.4
2022[9] 2034.7
2030[10] 2041.5
New Hampshire20221035.9
New York2037[11] 2016
Ohio2032[12] 2031.7
Oklahoma2030[13] 2023.7
Rhode Island2024[14] 1044.9

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Automatic ballot referral. Ballotpedia. December 23, 2016.
  2. Gorden, Harrison. "Alaska's Constitution." (n.d.): n. pag. Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency. Web. 24 Dec. 2016.
  3. Web site: Constitution of the State of Connecticut. www.cga.ct.gov. 2016-12-26. 2022-09-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20220901043951/https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/constitutions/CTConstitution.htm. dead.
  4. Web site: Hawai`i State Constitution - Article 17. lrbhawaii.org. 2016-12-26.
  5. Web site: The Constitution of the State of Iowa. publications.iowa.gov. 2016-12-26.
  6. Web site: Ballot Measures Database. Legislatures. National Conference of State. www.ncsl.org. 2016-12-26.
  7. Web site: Maryland Constitution - Declaration of Rights. maryland.gov. 2017-01-10.
  8. Web site: Michigan Legislature - Article XII ยง 3. www.legislature.mi.gov. 2016-12-26.
  9. Web site: Section: 12.003.(a).1 Referendum on constitutional convention--qualifications of delegates --selection of nominees for district delegates and delegates-at-large --election procedure.. www.moga.mo.gov. 2017-01-10. At the general election on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November 1962, and every twenty years thereafter, the secretary of state shall, and at any general or special election the general assembly by law may, submit to the electors of the state the question "Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the constitution?".
  10. Web site: The Constitution of the State of Montana. Montana Supreme Court. 2017-01-10. If the question of holding a convention is not otherwise submitted during any period of 20 years, it shall be submitted as provided by law at the general election in the twentieth year following the last submission.. https://web.archive.org/web/20160212235720/https://courts.mt.gov/portals/113/library/docs/72constit.pdf. 2016-02-12. dead.
  11. Web site: New York State Constitution. www.dos.ny.gov. 2016-12-24. 2016-02-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20160207142326/http://www.dos.ny.gov/info/constitution.htm. dead.
  12. Web site: Ohio Constitution (The 1851 Constitution with Amendments to 2015): Article XVI - Amendments. The Ohio Legislature. 2017-01-10. At the general election to be held in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-two, and in each twentieth year thereafter, the question: "Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the constitution[,]" shall be submitted to the electors of the state....
  13. News: Mandatory vote about whether a statewide constitutional convention shall be held - Ballotpedia. 2017-01-10.
  14. Web site: State of Rhode Island General Assembly. www.rilin.state.ri.us. 2016-12-26.

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