| Part of the Politics series |
| Direct democracy |
|---|
 |
 Politics portal |
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[edit]
Constitutional Convention[edit]
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.
| State | Upcoming year of vote | Years between
vote[1] |
Percent voted yes
at last vote[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2022[3] | 10 | 32.3 |
| Connecticut | 2028[4] | 20 | 40.1 |
| Hawaii | 2028[5] | 10 | 23.7 |
| Iowa | 2020[6] | 10 | 32.8 |
| Illinois | 2028[2] | 20 | 32.6 |
| Maryland | 2030[7] | 20 | 48.1 |
| Michigan | 2026[8] | 16 | 33.4 |
| Missouri | 2022[9] | 20 | 34.7 |
| Montana | 2030[10] | 20 | 41.5 |
| New Hampshire | 2022[2] | 10 | 35.9 |
| New York | 2037[11] | 20 | 16 |
| Ohio | 2032[12] | 20 | 31.7 |
| Oklahoma | 2030[13][a] | 20 | 23.7 |
| Rhode Island | 2024[15] | 10 | 44.9 |
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Automatic ballot referral". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ a b c Legislatures, National Conference of State. "Ballot Measures Database". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ Gorden, Harrison. "Alaska's Constitution." (n.d.): n. pag. Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency. Web. 24 Dec. 2016.
- ^ "Constitution of the State of Connecticut". www.cga.ct.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "Hawai`i State Constitution - Article 17". lrbhawaii.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "The Constitution of the State of Iowa". publications.iowa.gov. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "Maryland Constitution - Declaration of Rights". maryland.gov. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ^ "Michigan Legislature - Article XII § 3". www.legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "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. Retrieved 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?"
- ^ "The Constitution of the State of Montana" (PDF). Montana Supreme Court. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-12. Retrieved 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.
- ^ "New York State Constitution". www.dos.ny.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-12-24.
- ^ "Ohio Constitution (The 1851 Constitution with Amendments to 2015): Article XVI - Amendments". The Ohio Legislature. Retrieved 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...
- ^ "Mandatory vote about whether a statewide constitutional convention shall be held - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ^ "Oklahoma House passes constitutional convention bill". Associated Press. 2014-03-12. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
- ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". www.rilin.state.ri.us. Retrieved 2016-12-26.