In some states voters can write laws themselves, veto the legislature’s laws or remove officials before their terms end. Of the 47 states GovFacts has checked here, 22 let voters propose laws or constitutional amendments by petition, 10 allow only a referendum, recall or a narrow initiative, and 15 have none of the three in use statewide.
Signature counts, rules on where signatures must come from and the share of the vote needed to pass vary by state, and this lookup doesn’t list all of them. Check the state election office before starting a petition.
GovFacts tool
Ballot Initiative Lookup
Pick a state to see whether its voters can put a law or constitutional amendment on the ballot by petition, overturn a law the legislature passed or recall an official, from state constitutions, laws and court rulings.
How to answer this
Pick a state on the map or from the list. The map shades each state by whether its voters can propose laws or constitutional amendments by petition, have only a referendum, recall or narrow initiative, or have none of these in use.
In some states voters can write laws themselves, veto the legislature’s laws or remove officials before their terms end. Of the 47 states GovFacts has checked here, 22 let voters propose laws or constitutional amendments by petition, 10 allow only a referendum, recall or a narrow initiative, and 15 have none of the three in use statewide.
Signature counts, rules on where signatures must come from and the share of the vote needed to pass vary by state, and this lookup doesn’t list all of them. Check the state election office before starting a petition.
States Where Voters Can Propose Laws or Constitutional Amendments
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Initiative for laws, referendum and recall | Alaska’s constitution lets the people propose and enact laws by initiative and approve or reject the Legislature’s acts by referendum. An Alaska initiative can’t dedicate revenues, make or repeal appropriations, create courts or set their jurisdiction or rules, or enact local or special laws. A referendum can’t target dedications of revenue, appropriations, local or special laws, or laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. An Alaska initiative doesn’t go straight to a vote: it appears on the first statewide ballot more than 120 days after the next legislative session adjourns, and if the Legislature enacts substantially the same measure before the election, the petition is void. Every elected official in Alaska except judges can be recalled by the voters who elected them, on procedures and grounds the Legislature sets. Alaska ConstitutionAlaska ConstitutionAlaska ConstitutionAlaska Constitution |
| Arizona | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | In Arizona, 10% of qualified voters can propose a law, and 15% can propose a constitutional amendment. Five percent of qualified voters can refer a law the Legislature passed to the ballot, except emergency laws and laws that fund state government. Every public officer in Arizona who holds an elective office, whether elected or appointed to it, is subject to recall by the voters of the district from which candidates for that office are elected. A recall petition can’t be circulated until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Ariz. ConstitutionAriz. ConstitutionAriz. Constitution |
| Arkansas | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Arkansas, 8% of voters can propose a law and 10% can propose a constitutional amendment by initiative petition. Six percent of voters can petition to refer a general act of the General Assembly, or an item of an appropriation bill, to the ballot. An act the General Assembly declares an emergency by a two-thirds vote of each house takes effect without delay, and if a referendum is filed against it, it stays law until voters reject it. Ark. Secretary of State |
| California | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | In California, voters can propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative, with signatures equal to 5% of the last governor’s-race vote for a law and 8% for an amendment. California voters can petition within 90 days to approve or reject a new law, except urgency laws, laws calling elections and laws providing tax levies or appropriations for usual current expenses. California’s constitution defines recall as the power of voters to remove an elected officer. Calif. ConstitutionCalif. ConstitutionCalif. Constitution |
| Colorado | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Colorado’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments and to approve or reject acts of the General Assembly at the polls. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or appropriations supporting state departments and institutions. Every elected state officer in Colorado may be recalled by the voters entitled to elect a successor. A recall petition can’t be circulated or filed until the officer has held office for at least six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the Legislature convenes following the legislator’s election. Colo. ConstitutionColo. ConstitutionColo. ConstitutionColo. Constitution |
| Florida | Initiative for constitutional amendments only; no referendum or recall | Florida’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose amendments to the constitution by initiative. Fla. Constitution |
| Idaho | Initiative for laws, referendum and recall | Idaho’s constitution reserves to voters the power to propose laws by initiative and to demand a referendum on acts the Legislature passes. Every public officer in Idaho except judges is subject to recall by the voters. Idaho ConstitutionIdaho Constitution |
| Maine | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and people’s veto; no recall | In Maine, voters can propose a law to the Legislature by a petition signed by at least 10% of the last governor’s-race vote, but not a constitutional amendment. Unless the Legislature enacts it without change, the proposal goes to the voters, alongside any competing version the Legislature offers. Maine voters can also force a people’s veto vote on a law the Legislature passed that has not yet taken effect, by a petition signed by at least 10% of the last governor’s-race vote and filed within 90 days after the session ends. Most laws wait 90 days after the session ends to take effect, but the Legislature can make an emergency law take effect sooner by a two-thirds vote of each house. Maine ConstitutionMaine ConstitutionMaine Constitution |
| Massachusetts | Initiative for laws and amendments (sent to the Legislature first) and referendum; no recall | Massachusetts voters can propose constitutional amendments and laws by initiative petition and can petition to put a law the Legislature passed to a referendum. A proposed law goes to the Legislature first; if lawmakers don’t enact it by the first Wednesday of May, petitioners can file more signatures to put it on the next state ballot. A proposed constitutional amendment reaches the ballot only after winning the votes of at least one-fourth of legislators in joint session in two successive legislatures. Some subjects are excluded from the initiative, among them religion, judges, courts, reversing a court decision, measures limited to particular places and specific appropriations of money. A referendum can’t target a law on religion, judges or courts, a law limited to particular places, or a law funding the state’s current or ordinary expenses. Mass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. Constitution |
| Michigan | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and amendments, referendum and recall | Michigan’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose and enact laws by initiative and to approve or reject laws the Legislature enacts by referendum. A law proposed by initiative goes to the Michigan Legislature first, which must enact or reject it without change within 40 session days; if lawmakers don’t enact it, it goes to the voters at the next general election, possibly alongside a competing legislative version. The referendum doesn’t reach acts making appropriations for state institutions or to cover shortfalls in state funds, and it must be invoked within 90 days after the session that passed the law ends. Michigan voters can also propose constitutional amendments by petition, signed by registered voters equal to at least 10% of the total vote for governor in the last election. Michigan’s constitution requires laws providing for the recall of all elected officers except judges of courts of record. Mich. ConstitutionMich. ConstitutionMich. Constitution |
| Missouri | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | Missouri’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative and to approve or reject acts of the General Assembly by referendum. A Missouri initiative can’t appropriate money other than new revenue it creates. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or laws funding state government’s current expenses, state institutions or public schools. Mo. ConstitutionMo. Secretary of State |
| Montana | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Montana voters can enact laws by initiative on all matters except appropriations of money and local or special laws, with signatures from 5% of voters statewide, including 5% in each of at least one-third of legislative districts. Montana voters can also propose constitutional amendments by initiative, with signatures from at least 10% of qualified voters statewide, including 10% in each of two-fifths of legislative districts. Montana voters can approve or reject by referendum any act of the Legislature except an appropriation of money. Under the Montana Recall Act, a state law, any person holding a public office of the state or its political subdivisions is subject to recall, but only for physical or mental lack of fitness, incompetence, violation of the oath of office, official misconduct or conviction of certain felonies. Mont. ConstitutionMont. ConstitutionMont. ConstitutionMont. Code Annotated |
| Nebraska | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum, with exceptions; no recall | Nebraska’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative and the power to approve or reject acts of the Legislature by referendum. The referendum doesn’t reach acts making appropriations for the expenses of state government or of a state institution that exists when the act passes. Neb. ConstitutionNeb. Constitution |
| Nevada | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and amendments (approved at two elections), referendum and recall | Nevada’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative petition. A proposed statute goes to the Nevada Legislature first, which must enact or reject it without change within 40 days; if lawmakers reject it or don’t act, it goes to the voters at the next general election. A constitutional amendment proposed by initiative must be approved by voters at two consecutive general elections to take effect. An initiated statute that spends money must also raise the revenue to pay for it. Nevada voters can petition to submit a statute or resolution the Legislature enacted to a vote of the people. Every public officer in Nevada is subject to recall by the voters of the state or of the area the officer represents. A recall petition can’t be circulated or filed until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed 10 days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Nev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. Constitution |
| North Dakota | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | North Dakota’s constitution reserves to the people the powers to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative, to approve or reject legislative acts by referendum, and to recall certain elected officials. Any elected official of the state, a county, or a legislative or county commissioner district is subject to recall by a petition of voters equal to 25% of the last vote for governor in that area. N.D. ConstitutionN.D. Constitution |
| Ohio | Initiative for laws (sent to the General Assembly first) and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Ohio, a proposed law goes to the General Assembly first: a petition signed by 3% of voters sends it to lawmakers, and if they don’t pass it as written within four months, another 3% can sign a supplementary petition to put it on the ballot. A proposed amendment to Ohio’s constitution needs a petition signed by 10% of voters and goes directly to the voters. Ohio’s initiative and referendum can’t be used to pass a law classifying property for different tax rates or taxing land at a higher rate or by a different rule than improvements or personal property. If the Ohio ballot board finds that an initiated constitutional amendment would create a monopoly, oligopoly or cartel, set a tax rate or grant a commercial interest, right or license not available to others in a similar position, the amendment takes effect only if voters also approve a separate question authorizing it. Ohio voters can also force a statewide vote on a law the General Assembly passed, by a petition signed by 6% of voters and filed within 90 days after the governor files the law. Laws for tax levies, laws funding the current expenses of state government and state institutions and emergency laws passed by two-thirds of each house take effect immediately and aren’t subject to the referendum. Ohio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio Constitution |
| Oklahoma | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Oklahoma, 8% of voters can propose a law and 15% can propose a constitutional amendment by petition, and 5% can petition for a referendum on a law, except laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. Okla. Constitution |
| Oregon | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Oregon’s constitution reserves to the people the initiative power to propose laws and constitutional amendments and enact or reject them at an election. Oregon voters can approve or reject by referendum an act of the Legislative Assembly that doesn’t take effect until at least 90 days after the session ends. An act declaring an emergency can take effect sooner, so it falls outside the referendum. Every public officer in Oregon is subject to recall by the voters of the state or of the officer’s district. A recall petition can’t be circulated until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Ore. ConstitutionOre. ConstitutionOre. Constitution |
| South Dakota | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | South Dakota’s constitution reserves to the people the right to propose laws and to require that laws the Legislature enacts go to a public vote before taking effect. Two kinds of laws are exempt from that referendum: laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, and laws supporting state government and its existing public institutions. South Dakota voters can propose constitutional amendments by initiative, by a petition signed by voters equal to at least 10% of the last vote for governor. S.D. Secretary of StateS.D. Constitution |
| Utah | Initiative for laws and referendum; no recall | Utah voters can initiate legislation for a statewide vote and can require most laws the Legislature passes to go to the voters before taking effect; laws passed by two-thirds of each house are excepted. An initiated law on taking wildlife needs two-thirds of the vote. A proposed change to Article VI, Section 1, listed as contingently effective Nov. 23, 2026, would require at least 60% of the vote for an initiated law voted on after Nov. 1, 2026, that imposes a new tax, extends an existing tax to more items or transactions, raises an existing tax rate or, for a property tax, changes the rate so it falls less than it would under current law. That change is a proposed constitutional amendment, S.J.R. 2 of the Legislature’s 2025 session, sent to voters at the next regular general election. It takes effect Nov. 23, 2026, only if a majority of those voting on it approve. Utah ConstitutionUtah ConstitutionUtah Legislature |
| Washington | Initiative for laws (directly or through the Legislature first), referendum and recall | Washington’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose bills and laws and enact or reject them at the polls, and to approve or reject acts the Legislature passes. A Washington initiative can go either directly to the voters or to the Legislature first. The Legislature must enact or reject an initiative to the Legislature without change; if it rejects it or doesn’t act, the measure goes to the voters, and the Legislature can put a competing version beside it. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or laws supporting state government and its existing public institutions. Every elected public officer in Washington except judges of courts of record is subject to recall by the voters who elected the officer, on a petition charging malfeasance or misfeasance in office or a violation of the oath of office. Wash. ConstitutionWash. ConstitutionWash. ConstitutionWash. Constitution |
| Wyoming | Initiative for laws and referendum; no recall | Wyoming’s constitution lets the people propose and enact laws by initiative and approve or reject acts of the Legislature by referendum. A Wyoming initiative can’t dedicate revenues, make or repeal appropriations, create courts or set their jurisdiction or rules, enact local or special laws, or enact anything the constitution bars the Legislature from enacting. A referendum can’t target dedications of revenue, appropriations, local or special laws, or laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. A Wyoming initiative appears on the first statewide ballot more than 120 days after the next legislative session adjourns, and if the Legislature enacts substantially the same measure before the election, the petition is void. A petition can’t be filed for a measure substantially the same as one voters defeated within the preceding five years. Wyo. ConstitutionWyo. ConstitutionWyo. Constitution |
States With a Referendum, Recall or Narrow Initiative Only
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | A narrow amendment initiative and recall of the governor only; no initiative for laws and no referendum | In Illinois, voters can propose constitutional amendments by petition only to the Legislative Article, limited to its structural and procedural subjects. Illinois voters can also petition to recall the governor, with signatures equal to 15% of the last governor’s-race vote, including at least 100 from each of 25 counties. Before a recall petition can circulate, a notice of intent must be filed that is signed by the recall’s proponent, at least 20 members of the Illinois House and at least 10 state senators, with no more than half of each chamber’s signers from the same party. The notice can’t be filed until six months into the governor’s term. Ill. ConstitutionIll. Constitution |
| Kansas | Recall only | Every elected public official in Kansas except judges is subject to recall by the voters who elected them, on procedures and grounds set by law. Kan. Constitution |
| Kentucky | A referendum on one kind of tax law only | Kentucky’s constitution gives the people a referendum, which a petition of 5% of voters can order, on just one kind of law: a law classifying property that sets a lower tax rate on personal property. The constitution says this referendum power exists only for laws under that section. In Kentucky, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly and need three-fifths of the members of each house. Ky. Legislative Research CommissionKy. Constitution |
| Louisiana | Recall only | Louisiana’s constitution requires the Legislature to provide for recall elections for any state, district, parish, ward or municipal official except judges of courts of record. La. Constitution |
| Maryland | Referendum only, with exceptions | Maryland voters can petition to put an act of the General Assembly on the ballot for voters to approve or reject, with signatures from 3% of the last governor’s-race vote, no more than half of them from Baltimore City or any one county. Two kinds of laws can’t be overturned this way: a law funding state government or a public institution at no more than the previous appropriation, and a law licensing, regulating, banning or submitting to local option the making or sale of malt or spirituous liquors. Md. ConstitutionMd. Constitution |
| Minnesota | Recall only, on limited grounds | In Minnesota, legislators, the executive officers named in the constitution and judges are subject to recall. For an officer other than a judge, the only grounds are serious malfeasance or nonfeasance in office during the term, or conviction of a serious crime during the term. A recall petition may not be issued until the Minnesota Supreme Court has determined that the facts it alleges are true and are sufficient grounds for issuing it, and the petition then needs signatures equal to at least 25% of the votes cast for the office at the last general election. Minn. Constitution |
| New Jersey | Recall only | New Jersey’s constitution reserves to the people the power to recall any elected official in the state after at least one year of service. N.J. Constitution |
| New Mexico | Referendum only, with exceptions | New Mexico’s constitution reserves to the people the power to disapprove, suspend and annul laws the Legislature enacts, except general appropriation laws, laws preserving the public peace, health or safety, laws paying, creating or funding the public debt or its interest, unless the constitution provides otherwise, laws maintaining the public schools or state institutions, and local or special laws. N.M. Constitution |
| Rhode Island | Recall of top state officers only, for specific causes | In Rhode Island, a general officer can be recalled only after being indicted or charged with a felony, convicted of a misdemeanor, or found by the ethics commission to have probably violated the ethics code, and not in the first six months or the last year of the term. Rhode Island’s general officers are the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and general treasurer. R.I. Constitution |
| Wisconsin | Recall only | Wisconsin voters can petition to recall any elected officer after the first year of the officer’s term. Wis. Constitution |
States With None of the Three in Use Statewide
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Alabama, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments, and each needs three-fifths of the members of each house before going to voters. Ala. Constitution |
| Connecticut | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Connecticut, constitutional amendments are proposed by members of the state Senate or House. Conn. Constitution |
| Delaware | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Delaware, amendments are proposed in the Senate or House and become part of the constitution after two-thirds of both houses agree in two consecutive General Assemblies. Del. Constitution |
| Hawaii | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Hawaii, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote of each house at one session after notice to the governor, or by a majority of each house at two successive sessions. Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau |
| Indiana | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Indiana, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly. Ind. Constitution |
| Iowa | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Iowa, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly. Iowa Constitution |
| Mississippi | None in use: the amendment initiative was ruled inoperable in May 2021; check with the secretary of state on whether it has been restored | Mississippi’s constitution, in the version the secretary of state publishes (updated May 2022), still says the people reserve the power to propose and enact constitutional amendments by initiative. On May 14, 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court held that the state’s loss of a congressional district made that initiative process, in Section 273(3), unworkable and inoperable. Miss. ConstitutionMiss. Supreme Court |
| North Carolina | No initiative, referendum or recall | In North Carolina, constitutional amendments are initiated by the General Assembly, with three-fifths of each house, and then go to the voters. N.C. Constitution |
| Pennsylvania | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Pennsylvania, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. Pa. Constitution |
| South Carolina | No initiative, referendum or recall | In South Carolina, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. S.C. Constitution |
| Tennessee | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Tennessee, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. Tenn. Constitution |
| Texas | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Texas, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments, which are then voted on by the voters. Texas Constitution |
| Vermont | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Vermont, the state Senate proposes constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote, with the House concurring, in sessions every fourth year. Vt. Constitution |
| Virginia | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Virginia, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Delegates. Va. Constitution |
| West Virginia | No initiative, referendum or recall | In West Virginia, constitutional amendments are proposed in either house of the Legislature. W.Va. Constitution |
States Where Voters Can Propose Laws or Constitutional Amendments
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Initiative for laws, referendum and recall | Alaska’s constitution lets the people propose and enact laws by initiative and approve or reject the Legislature’s acts by referendum. An Alaska initiative can’t dedicate revenues, make or repeal appropriations, create courts or set their jurisdiction or rules, or enact local or special laws. A referendum can’t target dedications of revenue, appropriations, local or special laws, or laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. An Alaska initiative doesn’t go straight to a vote: it appears on the first statewide ballot more than 120 days after the next legislative session adjourns, and if the Legislature enacts substantially the same measure before the election, the petition is void. Every elected official in Alaska except judges can be recalled by the voters who elected them, on procedures and grounds the Legislature sets. Alaska ConstitutionAlaska ConstitutionAlaska ConstitutionAlaska Constitution |
| Arizona | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | In Arizona, 10% of qualified voters can propose a law, and 15% can propose a constitutional amendment. Five percent of qualified voters can refer a law the Legislature passed to the ballot, except emergency laws and laws that fund state government. Every public officer in Arizona who holds an elective office, whether elected or appointed to it, is subject to recall by the voters of the district from which candidates for that office are elected. A recall petition can’t be circulated until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Ariz. ConstitutionAriz. ConstitutionAriz. Constitution |
| Arkansas | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Arkansas, 8% of voters can propose a law and 10% can propose a constitutional amendment by initiative petition. Six percent of voters can petition to refer a general act of the General Assembly, or an item of an appropriation bill, to the ballot. An act the General Assembly declares an emergency by a two-thirds vote of each house takes effect without delay, and if a referendum is filed against it, it stays law until voters reject it. Ark. Secretary of State |
| California | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | In California, voters can propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative, with signatures equal to 5% of the last governor’s-race vote for a law and 8% for an amendment. California voters can petition within 90 days to approve or reject a new law, except urgency laws, laws calling elections and laws providing tax levies or appropriations for usual current expenses. California’s constitution defines recall as the power of voters to remove an elected officer. Calif. ConstitutionCalif. ConstitutionCalif. Constitution |
| Colorado | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Colorado’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments and to approve or reject acts of the General Assembly at the polls. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or appropriations supporting state departments and institutions. Every elected state officer in Colorado may be recalled by the voters entitled to elect a successor. A recall petition can’t be circulated or filed until the officer has held office for at least six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the Legislature convenes following the legislator’s election. Colo. ConstitutionColo. ConstitutionColo. ConstitutionColo. Constitution |
| Florida | Initiative for constitutional amendments only; no referendum or recall | Florida’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose amendments to the constitution by initiative. Fla. Constitution |
| Idaho | Initiative for laws, referendum and recall | Idaho’s constitution reserves to voters the power to propose laws by initiative and to demand a referendum on acts the Legislature passes. Every public officer in Idaho except judges is subject to recall by the voters. Idaho ConstitutionIdaho Constitution |
| Maine | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and people’s veto; no recall | In Maine, voters can propose a law to the Legislature by a petition signed by at least 10% of the last governor’s-race vote, but not a constitutional amendment. Unless the Legislature enacts it without change, the proposal goes to the voters, alongside any competing version the Legislature offers. Maine voters can also force a people’s veto vote on a law the Legislature passed that has not yet taken effect, by a petition signed by at least 10% of the last governor’s-race vote and filed within 90 days after the session ends. Most laws wait 90 days after the session ends to take effect, but the Legislature can make an emergency law take effect sooner by a two-thirds vote of each house. Maine ConstitutionMaine ConstitutionMaine Constitution |
| Massachusetts | Initiative for laws and amendments (sent to the Legislature first) and referendum; no recall | Massachusetts voters can propose constitutional amendments and laws by initiative petition and can petition to put a law the Legislature passed to a referendum. A proposed law goes to the Legislature first; if lawmakers don’t enact it by the first Wednesday of May, petitioners can file more signatures to put it on the next state ballot. A proposed constitutional amendment reaches the ballot only after winning the votes of at least one-fourth of legislators in joint session in two successive legislatures. Some subjects are excluded from the initiative, among them religion, judges, courts, reversing a court decision, measures limited to particular places and specific appropriations of money. A referendum can’t target a law on religion, judges or courts, a law limited to particular places, or a law funding the state’s current or ordinary expenses. Mass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. ConstitutionMass. Constitution |
| Michigan | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and amendments, referendum and recall | Michigan’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose and enact laws by initiative and to approve or reject laws the Legislature enacts by referendum. A law proposed by initiative goes to the Michigan Legislature first, which must enact or reject it without change within 40 session days; if lawmakers don’t enact it, it goes to the voters at the next general election, possibly alongside a competing legislative version. The referendum doesn’t reach acts making appropriations for state institutions or to cover shortfalls in state funds, and it must be invoked within 90 days after the session that passed the law ends. Michigan voters can also propose constitutional amendments by petition, signed by registered voters equal to at least 10% of the total vote for governor in the last election. Michigan’s constitution requires laws providing for the recall of all elected officers except judges of courts of record. Mich. ConstitutionMich. ConstitutionMich. Constitution |
| Missouri | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | Missouri’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative and to approve or reject acts of the General Assembly by referendum. A Missouri initiative can’t appropriate money other than new revenue it creates. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or laws funding state government’s current expenses, state institutions or public schools. Mo. ConstitutionMo. Secretary of State |
| Montana | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Montana voters can enact laws by initiative on all matters except appropriations of money and local or special laws, with signatures from 5% of voters statewide, including 5% in each of at least one-third of legislative districts. Montana voters can also propose constitutional amendments by initiative, with signatures from at least 10% of qualified voters statewide, including 10% in each of two-fifths of legislative districts. Montana voters can approve or reject by referendum any act of the Legislature except an appropriation of money. Under the Montana Recall Act, a state law, any person holding a public office of the state or its political subdivisions is subject to recall, but only for physical or mental lack of fitness, incompetence, violation of the oath of office, official misconduct or conviction of certain felonies. Mont. ConstitutionMont. ConstitutionMont. ConstitutionMont. Code Annotated |
| Nebraska | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum, with exceptions; no recall | Nebraska’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative and the power to approve or reject acts of the Legislature by referendum. The referendum doesn’t reach acts making appropriations for the expenses of state government or of a state institution that exists when the act passes. Neb. ConstitutionNeb. Constitution |
| Nevada | Initiative for laws (sent to the Legislature first) and amendments (approved at two elections), referendum and recall | Nevada’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative petition. A proposed statute goes to the Nevada Legislature first, which must enact or reject it without change within 40 days; if lawmakers reject it or don’t act, it goes to the voters at the next general election. A constitutional amendment proposed by initiative must be approved by voters at two consecutive general elections to take effect. An initiated statute that spends money must also raise the revenue to pay for it. Nevada voters can petition to submit a statute or resolution the Legislature enacted to a vote of the people. Every public officer in Nevada is subject to recall by the voters of the state or of the area the officer represents. A recall petition can’t be circulated or filed until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed 10 days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Nev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. ConstitutionNev. Constitution |
| North Dakota | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | North Dakota’s constitution reserves to the people the powers to propose laws and constitutional amendments by initiative, to approve or reject legislative acts by referendum, and to recall certain elected officials. Any elected official of the state, a county, or a legislative or county commissioner district is subject to recall by a petition of voters equal to 25% of the last vote for governor in that area. N.D. ConstitutionN.D. Constitution |
| Ohio | Initiative for laws (sent to the General Assembly first) and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Ohio, a proposed law goes to the General Assembly first: a petition signed by 3% of voters sends it to lawmakers, and if they don’t pass it as written within four months, another 3% can sign a supplementary petition to put it on the ballot. A proposed amendment to Ohio’s constitution needs a petition signed by 10% of voters and goes directly to the voters. Ohio’s initiative and referendum can’t be used to pass a law classifying property for different tax rates or taxing land at a higher rate or by a different rule than improvements or personal property. If the Ohio ballot board finds that an initiated constitutional amendment would create a monopoly, oligopoly or cartel, set a tax rate or grant a commercial interest, right or license not available to others in a similar position, the amendment takes effect only if voters also approve a separate question authorizing it. Ohio voters can also force a statewide vote on a law the General Assembly passed, by a petition signed by 6% of voters and filed within 90 days after the governor files the law. Laws for tax levies, laws funding the current expenses of state government and state institutions and emergency laws passed by two-thirds of each house take effect immediately and aren’t subject to the referendum. Ohio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio ConstitutionOhio Constitution |
| Oklahoma | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | In Oklahoma, 8% of voters can propose a law and 15% can propose a constitutional amendment by petition, and 5% can petition for a referendum on a law, except laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. Okla. Constitution |
| Oregon | Initiative for laws and amendments, referendum and recall | Oregon’s constitution reserves to the people the initiative power to propose laws and constitutional amendments and enact or reject them at an election. Oregon voters can approve or reject by referendum an act of the Legislative Assembly that doesn’t take effect until at least 90 days after the session ends. An act declaring an emergency can take effect sooner, so it falls outside the referendum. Every public officer in Oregon is subject to recall by the voters of the state or of the officer’s district. A recall petition can’t be circulated until the officer has held office for six months, except that a petition against a state legislator can be filed five days after the first session after the legislator’s election begins. Ore. ConstitutionOre. ConstitutionOre. Constitution |
| South Dakota | Initiative for laws and amendments, and referendum; no recall | South Dakota’s constitution reserves to the people the right to propose laws and to require that laws the Legislature enacts go to a public vote before taking effect. Two kinds of laws are exempt from that referendum: laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, and laws supporting state government and its existing public institutions. South Dakota voters can propose constitutional amendments by initiative, by a petition signed by voters equal to at least 10% of the last vote for governor. S.D. Secretary of StateS.D. Constitution |
| Utah | Initiative for laws and referendum; no recall | Utah voters can initiate legislation for a statewide vote and can require most laws the Legislature passes to go to the voters before taking effect; laws passed by two-thirds of each house are excepted. An initiated law on taking wildlife needs two-thirds of the vote. A proposed change to Article VI, Section 1, listed as contingently effective Nov. 23, 2026, would require at least 60% of the vote for an initiated law voted on after Nov. 1, 2026, that imposes a new tax, extends an existing tax to more items or transactions, raises an existing tax rate or, for a property tax, changes the rate so it falls less than it would under current law. That change is a proposed constitutional amendment, S.J.R. 2 of the Legislature’s 2025 session, sent to voters at the next regular general election. It takes effect Nov. 23, 2026, only if a majority of those voting on it approve. Utah ConstitutionUtah ConstitutionUtah Legislature |
| Washington | Initiative for laws (directly or through the Legislature first), referendum and recall | Washington’s constitution reserves to the people the power to propose bills and laws and enact or reject them at the polls, and to approve or reject acts the Legislature passes. A Washington initiative can go either directly to the voters or to the Legislature first. The Legislature must enact or reject an initiative to the Legislature without change; if it rejects it or doesn’t act, the measure goes to the voters, and the Legislature can put a competing version beside it. The referendum doesn’t reach laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety, or laws supporting state government and its existing public institutions. Every elected public officer in Washington except judges of courts of record is subject to recall by the voters who elected the officer, on a petition charging malfeasance or misfeasance in office or a violation of the oath of office. Wash. ConstitutionWash. ConstitutionWash. ConstitutionWash. Constitution |
| Wyoming | Initiative for laws and referendum; no recall | Wyoming’s constitution lets the people propose and enact laws by initiative and approve or reject acts of the Legislature by referendum. A Wyoming initiative can’t dedicate revenues, make or repeal appropriations, create courts or set their jurisdiction or rules, enact local or special laws, or enact anything the constitution bars the Legislature from enacting. A referendum can’t target dedications of revenue, appropriations, local or special laws, or laws needed immediately for public peace, health or safety. A Wyoming initiative appears on the first statewide ballot more than 120 days after the next legislative session adjourns, and if the Legislature enacts substantially the same measure before the election, the petition is void. A petition can’t be filed for a measure substantially the same as one voters defeated within the preceding five years. Wyo. ConstitutionWyo. ConstitutionWyo. Constitution |
States With a Referendum, Recall or Narrow Initiative Only
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | A narrow amendment initiative and recall of the governor only; no initiative for laws and no referendum | In Illinois, voters can propose constitutional amendments by petition only to the Legislative Article, limited to its structural and procedural subjects. Illinois voters can also petition to recall the governor, with signatures equal to 15% of the last governor’s-race vote, including at least 100 from each of 25 counties. Before a recall petition can circulate, a notice of intent must be filed that is signed by the recall’s proponent, at least 20 members of the Illinois House and at least 10 state senators, with no more than half of each chamber’s signers from the same party. The notice can’t be filed until six months into the governor’s term. Ill. ConstitutionIll. Constitution |
| Kansas | Recall only | Every elected public official in Kansas except judges is subject to recall by the voters who elected them, on procedures and grounds set by law. Kan. Constitution |
| Kentucky | A referendum on one kind of tax law only | Kentucky’s constitution gives the people a referendum, which a petition of 5% of voters can order, on just one kind of law: a law classifying property that sets a lower tax rate on personal property. The constitution says this referendum power exists only for laws under that section. In Kentucky, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly and need three-fifths of the members of each house. Ky. Legislative Research CommissionKy. Constitution |
| Louisiana | Recall only | Louisiana’s constitution requires the Legislature to provide for recall elections for any state, district, parish, ward or municipal official except judges of courts of record. La. Constitution |
| Maryland | Referendum only, with exceptions | Maryland voters can petition to put an act of the General Assembly on the ballot for voters to approve or reject, with signatures from 3% of the last governor’s-race vote, no more than half of them from Baltimore City or any one county. Two kinds of laws can’t be overturned this way: a law funding state government or a public institution at no more than the previous appropriation, and a law licensing, regulating, banning or submitting to local option the making or sale of malt or spirituous liquors. Md. ConstitutionMd. Constitution |
| Minnesota | Recall only, on limited grounds | In Minnesota, legislators, the executive officers named in the constitution and judges are subject to recall. For an officer other than a judge, the only grounds are serious malfeasance or nonfeasance in office during the term, or conviction of a serious crime during the term. A recall petition may not be issued until the Minnesota Supreme Court has determined that the facts it alleges are true and are sufficient grounds for issuing it, and the petition then needs signatures equal to at least 25% of the votes cast for the office at the last general election. Minn. Constitution |
| New Jersey | Recall only | New Jersey’s constitution reserves to the people the power to recall any elected official in the state after at least one year of service. N.J. Constitution |
| New Mexico | Referendum only, with exceptions | New Mexico’s constitution reserves to the people the power to disapprove, suspend and annul laws the Legislature enacts, except general appropriation laws, laws preserving the public peace, health or safety, laws paying, creating or funding the public debt or its interest, unless the constitution provides otherwise, laws maintaining the public schools or state institutions, and local or special laws. N.M. Constitution |
| Rhode Island | Recall of top state officers only, for specific causes | In Rhode Island, a general officer can be recalled only after being indicted or charged with a felony, convicted of a misdemeanor, or found by the ethics commission to have probably violated the ethics code, and not in the first six months or the last year of the term. Rhode Island’s general officers are the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and general treasurer. R.I. Constitution |
| Wisconsin | Recall only | Wisconsin voters can petition to recall any elected officer after the first year of the officer’s term. Wis. Constitution |
States With None of the Three in Use Statewide
| State | Statewide powers | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Alabama, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments, and each needs three-fifths of the members of each house before going to voters. Ala. Constitution |
| Connecticut | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Connecticut, constitutional amendments are proposed by members of the state Senate or House. Conn. Constitution |
| Delaware | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Delaware, amendments are proposed in the Senate or House and become part of the constitution after two-thirds of both houses agree in two consecutive General Assemblies. Del. Constitution |
| Hawaii | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Hawaii, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote of each house at one session after notice to the governor, or by a majority of each house at two successive sessions. Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau |
| Indiana | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Indiana, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly. Ind. Constitution |
| Iowa | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Iowa, constitutional amendments are proposed in the General Assembly. Iowa Constitution |
| Mississippi | None in use: the amendment initiative was ruled inoperable in May 2021; check with the secretary of state on whether it has been restored | Mississippi’s constitution, in the version the secretary of state publishes (updated May 2022), still says the people reserve the power to propose and enact constitutional amendments by initiative. On May 14, 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court held that the state’s loss of a congressional district made that initiative process, in Section 273(3), unworkable and inoperable. Miss. ConstitutionMiss. Supreme Court |
| North Carolina | No initiative, referendum or recall | In North Carolina, constitutional amendments are initiated by the General Assembly, with three-fifths of each house, and then go to the voters. N.C. Constitution |
| Pennsylvania | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Pennsylvania, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. Pa. Constitution |
| South Carolina | No initiative, referendum or recall | In South Carolina, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. S.C. Constitution |
| Tennessee | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Tennessee, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Representatives. Tenn. Constitution |
| Texas | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Texas, the Legislature proposes constitutional amendments, which are then voted on by the voters. Texas Constitution |
| Vermont | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Vermont, the state Senate proposes constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote, with the House concurring, in sessions every fourth year. Vt. Constitution |
| Virginia | No initiative, referendum or recall | In Virginia, constitutional amendments are proposed in the state Senate or House of Delegates. Va. Constitution |
| West Virginia | No initiative, referendum or recall | In West Virginia, constitutional amendments are proposed in either house of the Legislature. W.Va. Constitution |