1940 ballot measures
| 1940 State Ballot Measures | |
|---|---|
1941» «1939 | |
| Part 1: Overview | |
| Current measures | |
| Measure Monthly | |
By state
Arizona
See also:Arizona 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure Nos. 100-101 | Taxes;Property | Provide for the tax exemption of a person's bona fide home for a value of up to $5,000 | d | 51,739 (46%) | 60,668 (54%) | |
| Measure Nos. 102-103 | Property | Provide for the establishment of rules governing the sale and leasing of state lands | 45,228 (54%) | 39,068 (46%) | ||
| Measure Nos. 104-105 | Business regulations | Provide for defining the requirements for firms to be classified as public service corporations | d | 20,981 (26%) | 60,531 (74%) | |
| Measure Nos. 106-107 | Property;Taxes | Provide for the limitation of taxes on real and tangible personal property | 46,696 (52%) | 42,748 (48%) | ||
| Measure Nos. 108-109 | Taxes | Provide for the definition of the statuses, rights, privileges, benefits, immunities, and exemptions of tax levying public improvement districts | 61,795 (65%) | 32,646 (35%) | ||
| Measure Nos. 110-111 | Transportation;Taxes | Provide for a method of assessing and levying taxes and the imposition of a license tax on registered vehicles in lieu of ad valorem property taxes | 53,124 (58%) | 37,856 (42%) | ||
| Measure Nos. 300-301 | Business regulations;Healthcare governance | Provide for the regulation of the advertisement of dentistry | d | 33,516 (33%) | 67,404 (67%) | |
| Measure Nos. 302-303 | Gambling policy | Provide for the legalization of gambling and gambling devices | d | 43,502 (38%) | 70,154 (62%) | |
| Measure Nos. 304-305 | Fuel taxes;Revenue allocation | Allocate a certain percentage of gasoline tax revenue to cities | d | 37,203 (41%) | 53,251 (59%) | |
| Measure Nos. 306-307 | Education | Provide for the equalization of educational opportunities of the children of the state | 58,149 (59%) | 41,215 (41%) |
Arkansas
See also:Arkansas 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiated Act No. 1 | Labor and unions | d | 48,132 (29%) | 116,749 (71%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 30 | Primary election systems | d | 70,131 (42%) | 96,628 (58%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 31 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | d | 40,404 (25%) | 121,230 (75%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 32 | Taxes | d | 68,314 (41%) | 97,267 (59%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 33 | County and municipal governance | 107,115 (65%) | 56,500 (35%) | ||
| Proposed Amendment 33 | Game and fish commissions | d | 44,273 (27%) | 118,389 (73%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 34 | Public employee retirement funds | 115,138 (69%) | 51,749 (31%) | ||
| Proposed Amendment 36 | Public employee retirement funds | d | 47,769 (28%) | 125,128 (72%) | |
| Referred Act No. 314 | State judiciary structure | 139,207 (80%) | 34,484 (20%) | ||
| Referred Act No. 319 | Workers' compensation laws | 136,858 (80%) | 34,092 (20%) | ||
| Referred Act No. 4 | Bond issues | d | 36,871 (24%) | 119,656 (76%) |
California
See also:California 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Public assistance programs | Release all liens, mortgages, and other encumbrances taken by counties as security for aid granted to aged persons. | 1,508,547 (62%) | 922,109 (38%) | ||
| Proposition 10 | Administration of government | Require that public improvements that are paid partially or fully special assessment taxes be subject to a variety of provisions. | 1,138,237 (63%) | 680,353 (37%) | ||
| Proposition 11 | Water;Business regulations | Allow the state to have stocks in mutual water companies when such ownership is required to secure a water supply. | 1,151,911 (59%) | 810,549 (41%) | ||
| Proposition 12 | State legislatures measures | Allow either house of the legislature to create a committee to research facts and make recommendations. | 929,527 (52%) | 855,845 (48%) | ||
| Proposition 13 | Fossil fuel energy;Public land policy;Mineral resources | Allow the legislature to execute leases and sales of state park lands that contain oil or gas and require funds generated go to a general fund. | d | 315,408 (15%) | 1,776,128 (85%) | |
| Proposition 14 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Allow the legislature to apportion to political subdivisions from money derived from Chapter 362 and Chapter 330 Statutes. | d | 759,683 (41%) | 1,110,087 (59%) | |
| Proposition 15 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Limit the money the city treasurer is able to transfer to meet obligations of city or city and county, | d | 709,385 (38%) | 1,153,446 (62%) | |
| Proposition 16 | State legislatures measures;State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Provide for annual 60 day sessions of the legislature, require the budget be prepared annually, and limit the increase of general fund appropriations. | d | 556,469 (30%) | 1,268,684 (70%) | |
| Proposition 17 | Insurance policy | Allow the legislature to authorize the political subdivisions to purchase personal liability insurance against all officers, agents, and employees. | d | 807,199 (41%) | 1,138,039 (59%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Public assistance programs | Release all liens, mortgages, and other encumbrances of those covered under the Old Age Security Act or Old Age Security. | 1,519,963 (64%) | 853,243 (36%) | ||
| Proposition 3 | Corrections governance | Declare that the legislature shall provide for the establishment, governance, and superintendence of institutions for all felons | 994,101 (50%) | 991,722 (50%) | ||
| Proposition 4 | Election administration and governance | Allow the legislature to regulate the manner of election results for governor and lieutenant governor | 1,198,015 (64%) | 673,794 (36%) | ||
| Proposition 5 | Time standards | Start Daylight Saving Time on the last Sunday in April and end it on the last Sunday in September. | d | 785,634 (30%) | 1,834,564 (70%) | |
| Proposition 6 | Administration of government;State judiciary | Allow the legislature to create ways for the superior court to review decisions made by administrative officers, boards, and commissions. | d | 907,761 (50%) | 921,832 (50%) | |
| Proposition 7 | State judiciary | Make adjustments and reforms to the jurisdiction of courts. | d | 723,330 (40%) | 1,082,647 (60%) | |
| Proposition 8 | Game and fish commissions | Create the Fish and Game Commission | 1,287,473 (64%) | 735,589 (36%) | ||
| Proposition 9 | Taxes;Transportation | Exempt all vessels from local taxes except yachts of more than 50 tons until January 1955. | d | 530,673 (26%) | 1,480,475 (74%) |
Colorado
See also:Colorado 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Property taxes | Authorize a 0.5% to 1% ad valorem tax on intangible personal property, with revenue contributing to direct relief, federal grant matches, and education. | d | 50,806 (10%) | 440,202 (90%) | |
| Measure 2 | Animal treatment laws;Gambling policy | Create a state racing commission to license and regulate pari-mutuel horse and dog racing, set residency and fee-distribution rules, and allocate net revenues to counties and a state publicity bureau. | d | 203,195 (42%) | 277,392 (58%) | |
| Measure 3 | Administrative organization;Wildfire management | Distribute hunting and fishing funds to wildlife conservation and related services and create a Game and Fish Commission to administer them. | d | 196,907 (42%) | 272,768 (58%) | |
| Measure 4 | Tax and revenue administration;Property taxes;Income taxes | Require that income tax rates be maintained or raised to at least 1937 levels and that all income tax revenues be used to replace property taxes. | d | 81,787 (18%) | 366,049 (82%) | |
| Measure 5 | Public employee retirement funds | Provide a $30 monthly pension to needy residents aged 65 and over. | d | 138,383 (28%) | 358,582 (72%) |
Florida
See also:Florida 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Commissioner's Districts Amendment | Local government organization;Local government officials and elections | Allow for the creation of County Commissioner’s districts in each county | d | 79,334 (46%) | 92,818 (54%) | |
| Parole Commission Amendment | Parole policy;Corrections governance | Allow for the creation of a Parole Commission | 97,696 (57%) | 72,364 (43%) | ||
| State Ad Valorem Property Taxes Amendment | Administrative organization;Local government organization | Prohibit state ad valorem taxes on real or personal property, except intangible personal property | 106,622 (58%) | 76,050 (42%) | ||
| State Supreme Court Amendment | State judiciary structure;State judicial authority | Establish a seventh Supreme Court Justice, allow the court to act in divisions, and designate the Chief Justice as chief administrative officer | 93,340 (54%) | 78,071 (46%) | ||
| Use of Parimutuel Tax Funds Amendment | Gambling policy;Revenue allocation | Allow for the equal allocation and distribution of taxes collected on parimutuel gambling | 103,177 (60%) | 67,528 (40%) | ||
| Widow Tax Exemption Amendment | Property tax exemptions | Give all widows a $500 taxation exemption | 161,606 (79%) | 42,451 (21%) |
Idaho
See also:Idaho 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR 3 | Transportation;Taxes | 108,358 (72%) | 41,145 (28%) | ||
| Initiative 1 | County and municipal governance;Alcohol laws | d | 70,544 (38%) | 112,972 (62%) | |
| Initiative 2 | Alcohol laws | d | 75,563 (43%) | 102,186 (57%) | |
| SJR 5 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | 88,738 (63%) | 53,158 (37%) | ||
| SJR 7 | Federal government issues;State and local government budgets, spending, and finance;State legislatures measures | 86,328 (63%) | 50,029 (37%) |
Illinois
See also:Illinois 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking Law Amendment | Banking policy | This measure proposed amendments to the banking law to make it easier to create a new bank in small municipalities that do not have a bank. | 775,710 (68%) | 363,136 (32%) |
Maine
See also:Maine 1940 ballot measures
September 9
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question No. 5 | Elections and campaigns | 70,412 (50%) | 70,226 (50%) | ||
| Question No. 6 | Law enforcement;County and municipal governance | 69,933 (51%) | 67,179 (49%) |
Maryland
See also:Maryland 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judicial selection;State judicial authority | 121,080 (62%) | 73,653 (38%) | ||
| Amendment 2 | State judiciary structure | 172,616 (70%) | 72,371 (30%) | ||
| Amendment 3 | Taxes | 131,330 (66%) | 67,456 (34%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | State judicial selection | d | 88,890 (49%) | 92,186 (51%) | |
| Amendment 5 | State executive official measures | d | 93,124 (35%) | 170,581 (65%) | |
| Amendment 6 | State judiciary structure | 117,594 (63%) | 68,923 (37%) | ||
| Amendment 7 | State legislatures measures | d | 73,437 (34%) | 141,473 (66%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Administrative organization;Fisheries and fishing regulations | d | 57,220 (28%) | 147,602 (72%) | |
| Amendment 9 | Labor and unions | 127,754 (64%) | 70,580 (36%) |
Michigan
See also:Michigan 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal 1 | Bond issue requirements;Public education funding;Property taxes | Allow school districts to exceed the 15 mill limitation for building purposes | d | 602,952 (42%) | 843,159 (58%) | |
| Proposal No. 2 | Civil service | Establish a new state system of civil service | 766,764 (52%) | 709,894 (48%) | ||
| Proposal No. 3 | Vehicle and driver regulations | Require any common or contract motor carrier on public highways to obtain a certificate or permit to do so, with certain exceptions | d | 640,051 (41%) | 930,227 (59%) | |
| Proposal No. 4 | Business regulations;Healthcare governance | Establish regulations on dentistry | 735,053 (59%) | 516,597 (41%) |
Minnesota
See also:Minnesota 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | County and municipal governance | d | 635,815 (69%) | 287,286 (31%) |
Missouri
See also:Missouri 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Salaries of government officials | Authorize the compensation of General Assembly members to $125 per month | d | 418,119 (42%) | 574,478 (58%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State legislative processes and sessions | Repeal Section 41, and enact a new section to establish a revision of statutes every 10 years starting in 1949 | d | 445,104 (47%) | 506,568 (53%) | |
| Amendment 3 | State judicial selection | Establish a non-partisan system for the nomination, appointment, and election of judges | 535,642 (55%) | 445,194 (45%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | Initiative and referendum process;Ballot measure process | Change the basis for calculating the signature requirement for initiative petitions from the number of votes cast for supreme court judge to the number of votes cast for governor | d | 456,546 (48%) | 492,564 (52%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Hunting regulations;Fisheries and fishing regulations;Administrative powers and rulemaking | Repeal the existing wildlife and forestry code, including regulations established by the Conservation Commission, and reinstate the fish and game laws as they existed prior to June 30, 1936 | d | 359,628 (34%) | 709,421 (66%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Transportation taxes and fees;Highways and bridges;Fees, licenses, and charges | Establish permanent motor vehicle license fees at the current rate to fund road maintenance | d | 258,660 (26%) | 737,932 (74%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Fuel taxes;Local government finance and taxes;Transportation taxes and fees | Reduce motor vehicle license fees, which fund rural road maintenance, and abolish municipal gasoline taxes | d | 416,322 (40%) | 636,928 (60%) |
Montana
See also:Montana 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-44 | Bond issues;Higher education funding | d | 51,921 (48%) | 57,197 (52%) | |
| R-42 | Taxes;Higher education funding | 58,968 (53%) | 52,998 (47%) | ||
| R-43 | Bond issues;Healthcare facility funding | 75,824 (66%) | 38,249 (34%) |
Nebraska
See also:Nebraska 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Administrative organization;Public education governance | Provide that the the Superintendent of Public Instruction be a member of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. | 239,805 (57%) | 179,600 (43%) | ||
| Amendment 2 | State legislative authority;County and municipal governance | Allow the legislature to provide an optional form of county government with elective or appointive officers. | d | 173,107 (40%) | 254,639 (60%) |
Nevada
See also:Nevada 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Require all motor vehicle fees and fuel taxes be used exclusively for highway construction, maintenance, and administration. | 28,679 (81%) | 6,831 (19%) | ||
| Question 2 | Elections and campaigns | Require the legislature to canvass election returns and declare election results in accordance with federal law. | 24,026 (80%) | 5,882 (20%) | ||
| Question 3 | County and municipal governance | Prohibit the legislature from abolishing a county without approval by both the county's voters and a majority of state voters. | 22,424 (72%) | 8,683 (28%) |
North Dakota
See also:North Dakota 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification of Taxable Property Initiative | Taxes;Property | d | 91,396 (37%) | 156,901 (63%) | |
| Graduated Land Tax Initiative | Property;Taxes | d | 94,250 (38%) | 154,521 (62%) | |
| Tax Abatement Initiative | Taxes | d | 63,213 (27%) | 166,864 (73%) |
June 25
Oklahoma
See also:Oklahoma 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 215 | Public assistance programs;Taxes | Authorize a graduated tax on land over 640 acres for old age security, with exemptions, refunds, and enforcement provisions. | d | 408,559 (68%) | 196,711 (32%) | |
| State Question 241 | Administration of government;Healthcare | Abolish alternate members of the State Board of Medical Examiners, ensure no medical school majority, require hearings for license revocation, and allow physicians to employ agents without suspension risk. | d | 294,346 (58%) | 212,701 (42%) | |
| State Question 253 | Transportation;Taxes | Reallocate motor vehicle and fuel tax revenues to increase funding for local governments and reduce State Highway Fund allocations. | d | 355,431 (64%) | 198,109 (36%) | |
| State Question 281 | State executive official measures | Require candidates for specific statewide offices to be U.S. citizens, at least 31 years old, and qualified Oklahoma electors for the 10 years before their election. | d | 354,433 (68%) | 169,926 (32%) | |
| State Question 282 | Business regulations | Require Corporation Commission approval for public service corporations to consolidate or control competing corporations, excluding railroads, bus, and truck lines. | d | 256,466 (55%) | 210,890 (45%) | |
| State Question 289 | Alcohol laws | Regulate alcohol importation, manufacture, and sale, require licenses and taxes, establish an enforcement department, authorize local fees and county options, and set penalties and employment restrictions. | d | 290,752 (44%) | 374,911 (56%) |
Oregon
See also:Oregon 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure Nos. 300-301 | State executive official measures | Remove term limits for the Secretary of State and Treasurer. | d | 163,942 (43%) | 213,797 (57%) | |
| Measure Nos. 302-303 | Taxes | Institutionalize a given tax levy after voters approved such a levy for three successive years prior. | d | 129,699 (41%) | 183,488 (59%) | |
| Measure Nos. 304-305 | Banking policy | Repeal constitutional provisions regarding the double liability of of stockholders of state banks to the depositors of said banks. | d | 157,891 (45%) | 191,290 (55%) | |
| Measure Nos. 306-307 | Salaries of government officials | Set legislators' daily session pay at $8, refund them 10 cents every mile traveled to and from the capital, and give presiding offers an additional one-half daily pay. | d | 186,830 (50%) | 188,031 (50%) | |
| Measure Nos. 308-309 | Elections and campaigns | Move the primary nominating elections from May to the first Wednesday after the first Monday of September. | d | 156,421 (41%) | 221,203 (59%) | |
| Measure Nos. 310-311 | Business regulations;Alcohol laws | Require licenses to sell alcohol to consumers. | d | 158,004 (40%) | 235,128 (60%) | |
| Measure Nos. 312-313 | Business regulations;Alcohol laws | Repeal law allowing only the liquor control commission to sell alcohol, allowing private entities to manufacture and sell alcohol. | d | 90,681 (23%) | 309,183 (77%) | |
| Measure Nos. 314-315 | Gambling policy | Legalize games of skill, provide licensing of such games and disburse license revenues to public fairs, expositions, and old-age public assistance. | d | 150,157 (37%) | 258,010 (63%) | |
| Measure Nos. 316-317 | Administrative organization;Food policy;Business regulations;Agriculture policy | Repeal the Oregon Milk Control Law, which provided supervision and regulation of the milk industry. | d | 201,983 (49%) | 213,838 (51%) |
South Dakota
See also:South Dakota 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment A | Highways and bridges;Fuel taxes;Vehicle and driver regulations | Require proceeds from gas taxes and vehicle registration fees be used to fund highway construction and maintenance | 142,782 (57%) | 109,259 (43%) | ||
| Amendment B | State legislative elections;State executive powers and duties;State legislative authority | Allow the Governor to appoint a person to the Legislature to fill a vacancy | d | 97,748 (41%) | 140,564 (59%) | |
| Amendment C | Public education funding;Local government finance and taxes | Require that permanent school and educational funds be invested in secure assets such as first mortgages on South Dakota farmland and certain government bonds | d | 93,013 (38%) | 149,486 (62%) | |
| Referred Law | Public assistance programs;Administrative organization | Abolish the Unemployment Compensation Commission | d | 117,722 (49%) | 121,786 (51%) |
Texas
See also:Texas 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | State legislatures measures;State judiciary | Authorize the legislature to provide for appeals directly to the supreme court in instances involving the constitutionality of laws | 268,645 (70%) | 114,343 (30%) | ||
| Proposition 2 | State executive official measures | Appoint notaries public by the secretary of state, not the governor, with qualifications defined by law | 318,061 (67%) | 155,964 (33%) | ||
| Proposition 3 | Civil service | Prohibit the two-year term limit set forth in Article 16, section 30 of the constitution from applying to appointive civil service offices | 222,559 (60%) | 147,919 (40%) | ||
| Proposition 4 | Local government finance and taxes;Bond issue requirements | Allow county commissioners to levy taxes and issue bonds to refund the indebtedness of the general fund of Red River County | d | 167,204 (45%) | 207,053 (55%) |
Utah
See also:Utah 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislative authority;Banking policy | Allow the legislature to determine the liability of stockholders of banks | 81,679 (87%) | 11,973 (13%) |
Washington
See also:Washington 1940 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR 13 | Elections and campaigns;Salaries of government officials | Allow voters or legislature to set constitutional officers' salaries, limit legislators' salaries to $50 monthly, and repeal constitutional salary limits. | d | 183,478 (41%) | 259,842 (59%) | |
| Initiative 139 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Require voter approval for the issuance of bonds, securities, or other financial obligations to public utility districts. | d | 253,318 (41%) | 362,508 (59%) | |
| Initiative 141 | Public assistance programs | Provide a $40 monthly grant to senior citizens over 65 years of age and eligibility guidelines and repeal acts in conflict with this measure. | 358,009 (58%) | 258,819 (42%) | ||
| Referendum 5 | Property;Taxes | Limit the aggregate annual rate of property levy to forty mills and a two mills limit on tax levy for public universities. | 390,639 (72%) | 149,843 (28%) | ||
| SJR 1 | County and municipal governance | Repeal limits on the number of terms county officers may serve. | d | 208,407 (44%) | 267,938 (56%) | |
| SJR 8 | Business regulations | Authorize the legislature to grant stockholders of Washington-organized banks the same personal liability relief as stockholders of national banks. | 255,047 (57%) | 188,929 (43%) |
Wisconsin
See also:Wisconsin 1940 ballot measures
April 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Public school teachers and staff | Repeal a statue known as the teacher tenure law | 403,782 (52%) | 372,524 (48%) | ||
| Question 2 | County and municipal governance;Property;Taxes | Allow cities, villages, and towns to collect and return property tax with methods like installment payments | 330,971 (71%) | 134,808 (29%) |

