Election Procedure Measures Certified for 2020 Ballots

Alaska

The First-ever Citizen-Initiated Measure to establish Top-Four Primaries, as well as the first to add Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), was Certified for the Nov. 3rd Ballot in Alaska when the State Legislature Adjourned on May 20th.

In Alaska's Indirect Initiative Process, if enough Valid Signatures are Collected, the Alaska State Legislature can: Approve the Initiative; Write Equivalent Legislation; or Keep the Measure Off the Ballot. If Approved, the Initiative is Certified to Appear on the Ballot for the First Statewide Election 120 days after the Legislature's Adjournment.

The Initiative would Replace Partisan Primaries with Top-Four Primaries for State Executive, State Legislative, and Congressional Offices. In a Top-Four Non-Partisan Primary, All Candidates are Listed on the Same Primary Ballot. The Top Four Vote-Getters, regardless of their Partisan Affiliations, then Advance to the General Election.

The Initiative establishes RCV Voting for the General Elections, in which Voters would Rank the Four Candidates who Advanced from the Primaries.

The Initiative would also Require Persons and Entities who make Contributions that were initially derived from: Contributions, Donations, Dues, or Gifts, to Disclose the True Sources, as Defined in Law, of the Contributions.

Colorado

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum (2020) - This Veto Referendum, lets Voters Decide whether Colorado should Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). As part of the Compact, Colorado would give the State’s Nine Electoral Votes to the Presidential Candidate who wins the National Popular Vote, if States Representing at least 270 Electoral College Votes Adopt the Compact.

The Colorado State Legislature Approved Senate Bill 42 to Add Colorado to the NPVIC, and Gov. Jared Polis (D), Signed it in March 2019.

Opponents of Joining the Compact Collected more than the Required 124,632 Valid Signatures required to Place the Veto Referendum on the Nov. 3rd General Election Ballot.

Florida

Amendment 3, Top-Two Primaries for State Offices Initiative (2020) - This Citizen Initiative would Replace the State’s Partisan Closed Primaries with a Top-Two Non-Partisan Primary System for: Governor; Cabinet (Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture); and State Legislators. A 60% Supermajority Vote is Required for Approval.

North Dakota

Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting (2020) - Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

It's also the Final year to Pass Redistricting Measures before the Process gets Underway in 2021. Proposals in Two States aiming to do so:

Missouri

Redistricting, Lobbying, and Campaign Finance Amendment (2020) - The Legislature put this Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot. It would Amend Article III of the Missouri Constitution and Change Provisions of Missouri Amendment 1, which Voters Approved with 62% of the Vote in 2018. The 2020 Measure would:

Eliminate the Nonpartisan State Demographer and use a Bipartisan Commission Appointed by the Governor for Legislative Redistricting.

It would Alter the Criteria used to Draw District Maps.

The Amendment would Lower the Threshold of Lobbyists’ Gifts from $5 to $0 and Lower the Campaign Contribution Limit for State Senate Campaigns from $2,500 to $2,400.

Virginia

Redistricting Commission Amendment (2020) - The General Assembly Placed the Amendment on the Ballot. It would Transfer the Power to Draw the State's Congressional and Legislative Districts from the State Legislature to a Redistricting Commission composed of State Legislators and Citizens.

Potential Measures Proposing Redistricting Commissions:

Arizona - State Legislative District Population Standards Amendment (2020): Pending: Legislatively referred Constitutional Amendment, No Petition Signatures Required.

Arkansas Redistricting Commission Amendment (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

Nebraska - Redistricting Commission Initiative (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

Nevada Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

North Dakota Redistricting, and Election Process Changes Initiative (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

Oklahoma - State Question 810, Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

Oregon - Independent State and Congressional Redistricting Commission Initiative (2020): Pending Initiated Constitutional Amendment, Petition Signatures Required.

UPDATE

On June 2nd, 2020, the Eureka, California, City Council Voted Unanimously to ask Voters if they want to use Ranked-Choice Voting for City Office.

In a Preliminary Vote, the Albany, California, City Council moved Closer to ask Voters if they want to use Ranked-Choice Voting for City Office.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker