Mastodawn

So much for believing the government closest to the people governs best.

Republican-led states are ramping up efforts to make citizen-led ballot initiatives harder to pass, with Missouri lawmakers approving a bill to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution—pending voter approval. This trend has accelerated, with at least seven states advancing similar legislation and 148 bills introduced in 15 states this year to weaken direct democracy, according to the Fairness Project. The push comes after progressive wins on abortion rights through ballot measures, which succeeded in 7 out of 10 states since 2022. Will new hurdles stop future reforms? More: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/republicans-are-trying-raise-bar-voters-amend-state-constitutions-rcna230717 #ballotmeasures #Missouri #directdemocracy #votingrights #abortion #GOP #statepolitics

Republicans are trying to raise the bar for voters to amend their state constitutions

A growing number of Republican-led states are moving forward with efforts to make it more difficult for citizen-led ballot initiatives to succeed

NBC News

Don Hawkins - W7DAH Jun 1

https://www.propublica.org/article/red-state-ballot-initiatives-gop-republicans-florida-missouri

#Politics #DirectDemocracy #Propublica #PulitzerPrize #BallotMeasures #BallotInitiatives #Progressive #USA #America #Law #Justice #Republicans #Democrats #Vote #GerryMandering #MoneyInPolitics #Influence #Majority #Religion #CorporateGreed #Oligarchs #EatTheRich #RedStates #BlueStates #Democracy #States #Voters #Constitution #Florida #Missouri #TheWestIsBest

Red State Voters Approved Progressive Measures. GOP Lawmakers Are Trying to Undermine Them.

In the wake of ballot measures that increased abortion access and improved sick leave for workers, a coordinated effort is unfolding across the country to restrict direct democracy — and shift power to partisan legislatures.

ProPublica

Raccoon🏳️‍🌈Jan 24

So right now, in #Florida, I'd say we need to get a few #BallotMeasures in place in the next year so we can amend the #Constitution in 2026...

- State Officials may not use state funds or resources for political campaigns, including those against ballot measures or other changes to law.

- The Right to Amend the Constitution of Florida through Ballot Measures shall not be abridged.

- Donations to State Level Political Campaigns shall be limited to Florida Residents, and capped at no more than the payment of 2000 hours at the state minimum wage.

- Any person convicted of Child Sex Trafficking shall be barred from running for or holding any public office in Florida.

We are basically going to need this now, seeing as the governor is aggressively going after our ability to vote things in...

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/01/21/desantis-florida-petition-amendment-ballot-initiative-change-signature/

#USPol #Democracy

DeSantis' proposals for Florida’s ballot initiative process could effectively end it

The governor’s proposals include eliminating signature gathering as it exists now.

Tampa Bay Times

The Conversation U.S.Dec 23, 2024

Colorado voters have faced 10 #abortion ballot measures since Roe v. Wade. Yet, the state now has one of the most liberal abortion access laws in the US. A political science professor explains: https://theconversation.com/colorado-now-has-one-of-the-nations-most-liberal-abortion-access-laws-but-ballot-measures-to-restrict-abortion-have-a-long-history-in-the-state-245504 (@annewhitesell.bsky.social @miamiuniversity.bsky.social) #supremecourt #ballotmeasures

Colorado now has one of the nation’s most liberal abortion access laws, but ballot measures to restrict abortion have a long history in the state

Colorado voters have been asked 10 times since 1970 to vote on abortion ballot measures.

The Conversation

Joshua McNeill Nov 3, 2024

It's hard to express how much I hate #ballotmeasures like this:

"Provides for a general law state-wide homestead exemption that may differentiate among political subdivisions.
House Resolution No. 1022
Ga. L. 2024, p. 1191"

Difficult to parse and no way to make an informed decision as an average voter, and if you don't vote on it, people who are ignorant of their ignorance get to decide. It's a no win situation.

#election2024 #Georgia

GailWaldby@bsky.social❌👑Jul 9, 2024

Abortion Ballot Measures Map
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/07/09/abortion-ballot-measures-map/
#RoeYourVote #IVF #BallotMeasures #AbortionIsHealthcare #AbortionRights

Abortion Ballot Measures Map

Trump and MAGA Republicans have banned abortions with no exceptions for rape!

The Democracy Labs

Democracy Labs Apr 16, 2024

State Supreme Court Justices who banned abortions and up for Retention Elections in 2024
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/04/16/state-supreme-court-justices-who-banned-abortions-and-up-for-retention-elections-in-2024/
#retention #abortionbans #ballotmeasures

Hold them accountable for banning abortions

State Supreme Court Justices who banned abortions and up for Retention Election in 2024

The Democracy Labs

Show thread

GailWaldby@bsky.social❌👑Dec 14, 2023

#abortionbans #ballotmeasures #womensrights #WomensRightsAreHumanRights #GirlsRights #GirlsRightsAreHumanRights #AbortionIsHealthcare #HandsOffOurHealthcare

Democracy Labs Dec 14, 2023

Mapping Where Abortion Rights Are On The Ballot
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/12/13/abortion-rights-ballot-measures-as-republican-try-to-ban-all-abortions/
#abortionbans #ballotmeasures #womensrights

Abortion Rights Are On The Ballot

Republicans Want to Ban All Abortions

The Democracy Labs

U.S. Politics in Real Time Nov 10, 2023

After Ohio vote, advocates in a dozen states are trying to put abortion on 2024 ballots

https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-measure-2024-state-vote-e7d635835dc3a440789ad87787553ec1

#APNews #Abortion2024 #BallotMeasures #StateVote #Advocates #OhioVote #Politics #News

Advocates across US aim to put abortion on 2024 ballots after Ohio vote

After voters in Ohio approved a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, advocates in at least a dozen states are hoping to take abortion questions to voters in 2024. Moves to enshrine reproductive rights are already set for the ballot in Maryland and New York. Voters in states including Florida, Missouri and South Dakota could be asked to roll back existing restrictions. Voters in Iowa and Pennsylvania might be asked to restrict access. And there are efforts to get both protections and restrictions on the ballot in Colorado. Ohio on Tuesday became the seventh state where voters have opted to protect abortion access over the past year.

AP News