1986 ballot measures
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This page provides a list of statewide ballot measures that appeared before voters in 1986.
In the United States, aballot measure is a law, issue, or question that appears on a statewide or local ballot for voters of that jurisdiction to decide.
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The inventory of statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia'sHistorical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.Click here to access the state historical ballot measure factbooks.
List of ballot measures by state
Alabama
See also:Alabama 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Agriculture policy | This measure proposed to authorize wheat and feed grain producers to levy an assessment upon themselves to provide funding for programs to enhance their industry in Alabama. |
| 360,488 (76%) | 116,325 (24%) |
Alaska
See also:Alaska 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonding Proposition A | Bond issues;Veterans policy;Housing assistance programs | Issue $600 million in bonds for housing mortgages for qualifying veterans |
| 112,672 (65%) | 59,482 (35%) | |
| Measure 1 | Revenue and spending limits | Affirm the constitutional amendment adopted in 1982 that limits annual state appropriations to $2.5 billion |
| 119,775 (71%) | 48,909 (29%) | |
| Measure 2 | Administrative powers and rulemaking;State legislative authority | Permit the legislature to annul executive branch regulations by passing a resolution that is not subject to veto by the governor or repeal by referendum |  d | 65,176 (41%) | 94,299 (59%) | |
| Measure 3 | Public assistance programs | Advise the legislature to adopt the annuity option for the longevity bonus program |
| 99,222 (60%) | 65,789 (40%) |
August 26
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Nuclear weapons and missiles policy | Promote a nuclear weapons freeze |
| 80,326 (58%) | 57,125 (42%) |
Arizona
See also:Arizona 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 101 | Education;State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Provide for the raise of school district spending limits by 10 percent |
| 445,661 (54%) | 380,154 (46%) | |
| Proposition 102 | Ballot measure process;Revenue and spending limits | Permit political subdivisions to ask voters every two years to permanently adjust the spending limits of counties, cities, or towns | d | 338,397 (43%) | 451,749 (57%) | |
| Proposition 103 | Constitutional rights | Provide for the guarantee of the right to sue to recover for past and future monetary damages in cases of injury or death | d | 418,691 (49%) | 434,019 (51%) | |
| Proposition 200 | Campaign finance | Provide for the limitation of political campaign contributions to state and local candidates from individuals and campaign committees |
| 530,346 (65%) | 286,030 (35%) | |
| Proposition 300 | Salaries of government officials | Provide for the increase of legislative salaries from $15,000 per year to $20,000 | d | 304,017 (37%) | 516,938 (63%) | |
| Propositon 100 | Business regulations | Provide for the authorization of the Corporation Commission to reduce regulation of some telecommunication services | d | 389,253 (46%) | 451,479 (54%) |
Arkansas
See also:Arkansas 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 65 | Abortion policy | Bans public funding for abortions except for cases in which the mother's life is endangered | d | 318,007 (50%) | 318,523 (50%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 64 | Civil trials;State judicial authority | The measure increased the jurisdiction of municipal courts to $3,000 for civil cases. |
| 361,150 (61%) | 230,191 (39%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 65 | Abortion policy;State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The measure would have prohibited any public funds from being used directly or indirectly to pay for abortions, except when needed to save the mother's life. A similar measure, entitled the Arkansas Abortion Restriction and Public Funding Ban Amendment, was included on the 1988 ballot just two years later, where it was passed. | d | 318,007 (50%) | 318,523 (50%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 66 | Local government officials and elections | The measure would have provided four year terms of office for elected county officers and justices of the peace. | d | 307,425 (49%) | 320,981 (51%) | |
| Proposed Amendment 67 | Bond issues | The measure authorized governmental units to issue revenue bonds for capital improvements of public facilities without voter approval during an election. |
| 318,920 (54%) | 275,888 (46%) |
California
See also:California 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 53 | Bond issues;Education | Authorize the state to issue $800 million in bonds for new public school construction and renovations. |
| 4,100,775 (61%) | 2,651,479 (39%) | |
| Proposition 54 | Bond issues;Prison and jail funding | Authorize the state to issue $500 million in bonds for the construction of new prisons. |
| 4,471,387 (65%) | 2,374,818 (35%) | |
| Proposition 55 | Bond issues;Drinking water systems | Authorize the state to issue $100 million in bonds to make loans and grants for local drinking water systems. |
| 5,405,385 (79%) | 1,466,214 (21%) | |
| Proposition 56 | Bond issues;Education | Authorize $400 million in bonds for construction or improvement of facilities at California's public higher education institutions. |
| 4,038,085 (59%) | 2,751,378 (41%) | |
| Proposition 57 | State executive official measures;Salaries of government officials | Preclude the retirement benefits of any nonlegislative or nonjudicial elected state constitutional officers from increasing. |
| 4,851,214 (73%) | 1,820,746 (27%) | |
| Proposition 58 | Taxes | Establish that property tax re-assessments need not occur when real property is transferred between spouses and between parents and children. |
| 5,109,645 (76%) | 1,638,812 (24%) | |
| Proposition 59 | Local government officials and elections | Establish that the office of district attorney must be filled by election. |
| 5,422,619 (82%) | 1,164,585 (18%) | |
| Proposition 60 | Taxes | Establish a procedure for determining the property valuation for replacement residential property for those over 55. |
| 5,121,859 (77%) | 1,528,254 (23%) | |
| Proposition 61 | Salaries of government officials | Increase the salary of certain elected officials and establish limits on the salaries of state and local government employees and contractors. | d | 2,341,883 (34%) | 4,523,463 (66%) | |
| Proposition 62 | Local government finance and taxes;Ballot measure supermajority requirements | Require new or higher general taxes to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the local government body and a simple majority vote of voters |
| 3,858,119 (58%) | 2,798,805 (42%) | |
| Proposition 63 | English language policy | Designate English as the official language of California |
| 5,138,577 (73%) | 1,876,639 (27%) | |
| Proposition 64 | Vaccinations and disease policy | Declare AIDS and HIV communicable diseases and require that the Department of Health Services add AIDS to the list of diseases that must be reported. | d | 2,039,744 (29%) | 5,012,255 (71%) | |
| Proposition 65 | Business regulations;Pollution, waste, and recycling policy | Adopt new environmental health regulations on chemical discharges, public warnings, state chemical lists, and enforcement |
| 4,400,471 (63%) | 2,632,617 (37%) |
June 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 42 | Veterans policy;Bond issues | Authorize the state to issue $850 million in bonds to fund veterans home loans and farm aid. |
| 3,338,320 (76%) | 1,076,981 (24%) | |
| Proposition 43 | Parks, land, and natural area conservation;Bond issues;Property | Authorize the state to issue $100 million in bonds for park and recreational developments. |
| 2,924,973 (67%) | 1,420,822 (33%) | |
| Proposition 44 | Water;Bond issues | Authorize the state to issue $150 million in bonds for water conservation and water quality management. |
| 3,204,793 (74%) | 1,120,499 (26%) | |
| Proposition 45 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Amend the state constitution to authorize the state to deposit public money in credit unions. |
| 2,796,049 (66%) | 1,452,804 (34%) | |
| Proposition 46 | Taxes | Amend the state constitution to create an exception to bond repayments. |
| 2,516,490 (60%) | 1,685,186 (40%) | |
| Proposition 47 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Amend the constitution to require the state to allocate all revenues from taxes imposed under the Vehicle License Fee Law to counties and cities. |
| 3,487,604 (82%) | 775,437 (18%) | |
| Proposition 48 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Amend the state constitution to set limits on retirement payments for enrollees of the California Legislators' and Judges' Retirement Systems. |
| 3,649,784 (85%) | 638,678 (15%) | |
| Proposition 49 | Election administration and governance | Amend the state constitution to prohibit political parties or party central committees from endorsing or opposing nonpartisan candidates. |
| 2,292,678 (56%) | 1,805,305 (44%) | |
| Proposition 50 | Taxes | Require the state legislature to provide that a replacement property acquired after a declared disaster have the same tax assessment as the property damaged. |
| 2,910,665 (70%) | 1,220,565 (30%) | |
| Proposition 51 | Tort law | Limit the liability of each responsible party in a lawsuit to that part of the non-economic damages that is equal to each responsible party's share of fault. |
| 2,875,382 (62%) | 1,753,244 (38%) | |
| Proposition 52 | Prison and jail funding;Bond issues | Authorize $495 million in bonds to fund the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, and replacement of county correctional facilities. |
| 2,795,123 (67%) | 1,364,737 (33%) |
Colorado
See also:Colorado 1986 ballot measures
November 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment No. 1 | Administration of government | Eliminate the state personnel board and establish exemptions to the state personnel system. | d | 461,004 (49%) | 488,226 (51%) | |
| Amendment No. 2 | Administration of government | Establish provisions relating to the setting of salaries for county officers. | d | 406,960 (45%) | 492,511 (55%) | |
| Amendment No. 3 | Local government organization;Initiative and referendum process | Establish that electors of a home rule municipality may require, through initiative or referendum, an election for the granting of a franchise. |
| 455,053 (53%) | 396,738 (47%) | |
| Amendment No. 4 | Taxes | Require new or increased taxes to be approved by voters and require the state provide funding to political subdivisions when the state mandates an increase in spending by the political subdivision. | d | 375,097 (38%) | 625,158 (62%) |
Connecticut
See also:Connecticut 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | State constitutional conventions | Allow the state of Connecticut to hold a Constitutional Convention where the Connecticut Constitution could then be amended or revised | d | 207,704 (35%) | 379,812 (65%) | |
| Question 2 | Election administration and governance | Eliminate party levers from voting machines |
| 302,899 (50%) | 297,827 (50%) | |
| Question 3 | State judicial selection | Create the Judicial Selection Commission, which would provide a list of judicial candidates to the governor for submission to the General Assembly |
| 396,555 (67%) | 192,180 (33%) |
Florida
See also:Florida 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judicial authority;State executive powers and duties | Allow the attorney general to appoint a statewide prosecutor to try multi-circuit violations of the criminal laws |
| 2,168,701 (73%) | 811,122 (27%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Local government organization;Gambling policy | Allow casino gambling in hotels with 500 rooms or more if voters in that county approve, by initiative referendum, casino gambling | d | 1,036,250 (32%) | 2,237,555 (68%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Homestead tax exemptions;Property taxes | Establish the homestead tax exemption as $5,000 plus one-half of the assessed value over $5,000, up to $25,000 | d | 1,127,438 (36%) | 2,045,473 (64%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Initiative and referendum process;State judicial authority | Allow the Attorney General, as provided by law, to request the Supreme Court issue an expeditious advisory opinion on the validity of ballot initiatives and require the Supreme Court to issue such opinion |
| 1,988,841 (72%) | 759,691 (28%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Gambling policy | Allow the state to operate a lottery |
| 2,039,437 (64%) | 1,168,858 (36%) |
Georgia
See also:Georgia 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Sewage and stormwater;Debt limits | Allow the state to incur general obligation debt to fund loans for local water and sewer projects and permit related investments and long-term intergovernmental contracts |
| 552,371 (64%) | 316,109 (36%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance;Insurance policy | Authorize the General Assembly to establish and fund a health insurance plan for retired public school employees and their families |
| 465,188 (53%) | 418,890 (47%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Administration of government | Establish procedures for suspending public officials upon felony indictment, withholding compensation during suspension, and reinstating officials with back pay if convictions are overturned, and addressing replacement and vacancy filling |
| 734,638 (84%) | 142,933 (16%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State judiciary oversight | Establish that a judge convicted of a felony is immediately suspended without compensation, with the possibility of reinstatement and back pay if the conviction is overturned, and provide a procedure for a replacement judge and filling of vacancies |
| 754,351 (85%) | 131,347 (15%) | |
| Amendment 5 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance;Public assistance programs | Establish a State Children's Trust Fund to provide funding for child abuse and neglect prevention programs |
| 633,313 (72%) | 249,567 (28%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Ballot measure process;Highways and bridges | Require voter approval through a referendum for the creation or amendment of any municipal or county authority responsible for constructing, improving, or maintaining roads or streets |
| 538,152 (67%) | 268,179 (33%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Taxes;Public economic investment policy | Establish a procedure for the creation of development districts to promote commercial and industrial development through tax incentives | d | 365,380 (44%) | 457,436 (56%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Insurance policy | Provide indemnification, or compensation, for publicly employed emegency medical technicians killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty |
| 589,354 (70%) | 254,451 (30%) | |
| Amendment 9 | Law enforcement;Insurance policy | Provide indemnification, or compensation, for law enforcement officers, firemen, prison guards or publicly employed emergency medical technicians who had been previously killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty |
| 603,943 (71%) | 249,102 (29%) | |
| Referendum 1 | Taxes;Property | Exempt tangible personal property from taxes if the value of the property does not exceed $500 |
| 592,671 (70%) | 249,708 (30%) |
Hawaii
See also:Hawaii 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment C | State judiciary | The amendment asked whether a chief justice of the Hawaii supreme court is permitted, as needed, to appoint retired judges from intermediate appellate court, the circuit courts, district courts and district family courts to serve as judges in appellate court, the circuit courts, district courts and district family courts respectively. |
| 197,386 (62%) | 119,375 (38%) | |
| Amendment D | State legislatures measures | The Amendment asked whether a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the constitution ought to be held. | d | 137,236 (44%) | 173,977 (56%) |
Idaho
See also:Idaho 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR 4 | State legislative structure;Redistricting policy |
| 225,956 (67%) | 109,195 (33%) | |
| Initiative 1 | Gambling policy |
| 226,816 (60%) | 151,132 (40%) | |
| Referendum 1 | Right-to-work laws |
| 208,248 (54%) | 177,069 (46%) | |
| Referendum 1 | Right-to-work laws |
| |||
| SJR 102 | Local official term limits |
| 290,318 (80%) | 72,288 (20%) | |
| SJR 107 | Administration of government |
| 235,123 (68%) | 109,644 (32%) |
Illinois
See also:Illinois 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Bail policy | It proposed to further expand the population that may be denied bail. |
| 1,368,242 (77%) | 402,891 (23%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Taxes;Veterans policy | It proposed that property used exclusively by veterans' organizations be exempt from property taxes.Note: Although this measure gathered more "yes" votes, it did not pass because Illinois required that an amendment must receive a vote of at least three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election. This vote did not meet that standard. | d | 860,609 (54%) | 727,737 (46%) |
Indiana
See also:Indiana 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Public employee retirement funds | The proposition proposed one amendment to the constitution: Article11, Section 12. The amendment would authorize the General Assembly to permit the investment of state retirement funds in the stock of corporations, associations, and banks. | d | 427,737 (50%) | 436,344 (50%) | |
| Proposition 2 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The proposition proposed one amendment to the constitution: Article 8. The amendment would allow the General Assembly to use the Common School Fund for any purpose they determine, but would be subject to limitations imposed by federal law. | d | 240,931 (28%) | 625,846 (72%) |
Iowa
See also:Iowa 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Administration of government;State legislatures measures | The measure allowed the Iowa Legislature to specify effective dates for laws and repealed the requirement that some laws be published before taking effect. |
| 291,601 (57%) | 218,877 (43%) |
Kansas
See also:Kansas 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Taxes;Gambling policy | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article 15, Section 3b. The amendment proposed that state may permit, regulate, license and levy a tax between 3% and 6% of all money wagered. |
| 483,924 (60%) | 324,143 (40%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Taxes;Alcohol laws | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article 15, Section 10. The amendment proposed that the legislature may prohibit liquor in certain areas; the legislature may regulate, license and tax the manufacture and sale of liquor in addition to the possession and transportation of liquor; and the sale of individual drinks in public places is prohibited except where the legislature may permit, regulate, license and tax the sale of liquor by the drink in a county where the majority vote has approved such a measure. The limitations of the sale of individual drinks is limited to: 1) public places where gross receipts from the sale of food on the premises constitute not less than 30 percent of the gross sales of food and beverages on the premises, or 2) public places for which a temporary permit has been issued as authorized by law. |
| 489,646 (60%) | 325,505 (40%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Property;Taxes | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article 11, Sections 1 and 2. The amendment proposed that legislature introduce property tax guidelines, whereby property tax is assessed annually for its taxable value. The amendment would establish the rates of taxation as follows, beginning January 1, 1989: A) residential property at 12 percent, B) agricultural land valued upon the basis of its income and productivity, at 30 percent, and C) vacant lots at 12 percent. Tangible properties would be taxed accordingly: A) residential mobile homes at 12 percent, B) mineral leaseholds interests at 30 percent, C) public utility tangible personal property at 30 percent, D) all categories of vehicles at 30 percent, E) commercial and industrial machinery and equipment which, if its economic life is seven years or more, would be valued at its retail cost when new, less a seven-year straight-line depreciation, or which, if its economic life is less than seven years, would be valued at its retail cost when new less straight-line depreciation over its economic life, at 20 percent, and F) all other tangible personal property not otherwise specified at 30 percent. All property used exclusively for state, county, municipal, literary, educational, scientific, religious, benevolent and charitable purposes, farm machinery and equipment, merchant’s and manufacturer’s inventories and livestock and all household goods and personal effects not used for the production of income, shall be exempt from property taxation. |
| 534,799 (68%) | 253,123 (32%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Gambling policy | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article 15, Section 3. The amendment proposed that legislature may provide for a state-owned and operated lottery until June 30, 1990, after which time a concurrent resolution would need to pass for the continuance of the such a lottery. Whenever possible, the state would make public the odds of winning. |
| 515,893 (64%) | 291,411 (36%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Public education governance;Higher education governance | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article 6, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The amendment proposed that legislature would provide for a state board of regents and a state board of education. The state board of regents would oversee higher education, which include universities and colleges granting baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees. The state board of regents would have nine members with overlapping terms; and members would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. There will be 10 members on the state board of education with overlapping terms; there would be 10 member districts, each comprised of four contagious senatorial districts and each member district would elect one person residing in the district as a member of the board. The commissioner of education will be appointed by the board of education. Local public schools would elect a local school board. The legislature may levy a tax for funding public education. Until repealed, these laws will remain in effect. | d | 365,235 (49%) | 385,093 (51%) |
August 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via SCR 1635: Article 11, Section 9. The amendment proposed that legislature be permitted to participate in works of internal improvement by forming a capital formation system and the investment of state funds for the purpose of creating jobs and wealth, and that such an authorization pass by a two-thirds vote. |
| 211,058 (60%) | 141,600 (40%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Taxes;Public economic investment policy | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via HCR 5047: Article 11, Section 13. The amendment proposed that the governing body of any city or county be permitted to exempt property of a new manufacturing, research and development or commodity or goods storing business or property necessary to facilitate the expansion of any such existing business, if, as a result of such expansion, new employment is created, from property taxation for a period of 10 years. |
| 181,685 (51%) | 171,166 (49%) |
Kentucky
See also:Kentucky 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Public education governance | d | 228,909 (43%) | 306,905 (57%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Local official term limits |
| 297,883 (58%) | 219,201 (42%) |
Louisiana
See also:Louisiana 1986 ballot measures
September 27
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | It proposed that all but the first $100 million received from the federal government under Section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Act will be dedicated to specific uses as stated in the amendment. Among these uses is a fund for the improvement of education. |
| 715,681 (77%) | 218,962 (23%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Taxes | This measure proposed to limit to 5 mills the additional tax that a levee district can assess to be used for property or improvements after all available resources and allowed millage have been used. | d | 344,926 (42%) | 478,171 (58%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Civil service | This measure proposed to remove St. Mary's Dominican College from the group of private universities that nominate individuals to serve on the New Orleans civil service commission. It further proposed that St. Mary's be replaced by the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans. | d | 417,967 (49%) | 426,442 (51%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Taxes | It proposed to raise the annual automobile license tax from $3 to a maximum of $25. | d | 316,512 (36%) | 567,926 (64%) | |
| Amendment 5 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | It proposed that interest rate limitations related to refunding short term outstanding debt should be higher than the limitations set for refunding bonds issued for other reasons. | d | 360,142 (44%) | 462,257 (56%) | |
| Amendment 6 | State judiciary | It proposed that the Louisiana supreme court should have sole authority to appoint temporary judges for municipal, traffic, parish, city and family courts. | d | 395,192 (47%) | 449,590 (53%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Administration of government | It proposed the start date and term length for all statewide officials. |
| 501,579 (59%) | 349,986 (41%) |
Maine
See also:Maine 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Initiative and referendum process;Business regulations;Telecommunications infrastructure | Ban mandatory local measured phone serviceand direct the state to keep flat rate local phone service at a low cost |
| 241,894 (58%) | 178,745 (42%) | |
| Question 10 | State legislative authority;Redistricting policy;Constitutional wording changes | Amend the procedure for apportionment of the state legislature and the operation of the Reapportionment Commission |
| 250,609 (66%) | 130,410 (34%) | |
| Question 2 | Bond issues;Prison and jail funding | Issue $16 million in bonds to build, repair, or renovate state correctional facilities |
| 222,679 (55%) | 180,787 (45%) | |
| Question 3 | Utility policy;Sewage and stormwater;Bond issues | Issue $12 million in bonds to provide for sewer treatment facilities |
| 229,580 (57%) | 170,584 (43%) | |
| Question 4 | Healthcare facility funding;Public education funding;Bond issues | Issue 6 million in bonds to provide for school construction projects to comply with the educational reform law and for the construction of an activity building at Augusta Mental Health Institute |
| 244,485 (61%) | 157,472 (39%) | |
| Question 5 | Bond issues |
| 214,996 (54%) | 184,759 (46%) | ||
| Question 6 | Bond issues;Land use and development policy;Ports and harbors | Issue 10 million in bonds for acquiring land for coastal access, harbor improvements, Maine State Ferry improvements, and for improvements to the State's Marine Laboratory at McKown Point, Boothbay Harbor | d | 197,396 (50%) | 200,725 (50%) | |
| Question 7 | Defense-related funding;Bond issues | Issue a 3.1 million bond to provide for armory expansion,rehabilitation and construction | d | 126,236 (32%) | 269,886 (68%) | |
| Question 8 | Bond issues;Parks, land, and natural area conservation | Issue a 5 million bond to acquire wildlife habitat and land for public outdoor recreation |
| 248,891 (62%) | 151,822 (38%) | |
| Question 9 | Bond issues;Higher education funding | Issue $7.7 million in bonds to upgrade facilities in the University of Maine System |
| 227,751 (57%) | 173,527 (43%) |
June 10
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obscene Material Prohibition Initiative | Initiative and referendum process;Sexual content regulations | Criminalize making, seling, giving for value, or otherwise promoting obscene material in Maine | d | 81,970 (28%) | 209,537 (72%) |
Maryland
See also:Maryland 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | State legislatures measures |
| 533,412 (75%) | 177,939 (25%) | |
| Question 2 | Local government officials and elections |
| 394,979 (74%) | 140,830 (26%) | |
| Question 3 | Local government officials and elections |
| 469,561 (72%) | 179,092 (28%) | |
| Question 4 | State judiciary;State and local government budgets, spending, and finance |
| 470,562 (71%) | 189,226 (29%) |
Massachusetts
See also:Massachusetts 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Abortion policy;State legislative authority | Provide that nothing in the Massachusetts Constitution prevents the General Court from regulating or banning abortion nor require public or private funding of abortion | d | 689,908 (42%) | 959,311 (58%) | |
| Question 2 | School choice policy | Allow public funds, materials, or services to be provided to private schools and their students | d | 502,170 (30%) | 1,154,069 (70%) | |
| Question 3 | Income taxes;Tax and revenue administration;Revenue and spending limits | Reduce and then repeal the surtax on state income taxes and limit state tax revenue growth |
| 863,130 (54%) | 724,925 (46%) | |
| Question 4 | Pollution, waste, and recycling policy | Establish procedures for the identification and clean up of sites where oil or hazardous materials have been disposed of |
| 1,174,676 (74%) | 404,521 (26%) | |
| Question 5 | Vehicle and driver regulations | Require drivers and passengers to wear properly adjusted and fastened seat belts, with certain exceptions | d | 769,806 (46%) | 892,580 (54%) | |
| Question 6 | Absentee and mail voting | Establish a mail-in voting process for all qualified voters | d | 603,370 (38%) | 966,229 (62%) | |
| Question 7 | Private health insurance;Healthcare governance;Public health insurance | Urge the US Congress to adopt a national healthcare program |
| 1,045,975 (67%) | 510,161 (33%) | |
| Question 8 | Pollution, waste, and recycling policy;Federal government issues | Urge the President and US Congress to adopt a national acid rain control program |
| 1,262,362 (82%) | 280,379 (18%) |
Michigan
See also:Michigan 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal A | Administrative organization | Provide for the establishment of a state library within the legislative branch | d | 908,627 (49%) | 936,643 (51%) | |
| Proposal B | Administrative powers and rulemaking;State legislative authority | Allow the state legislature to make decisions on administrative rules proposed by state agencies | d | 648,116 (36%) | 1,136,721 (64%) | |
| Proposal C | Salaries of government officials | Give the State Officers Compensation Commission the authority to establish salaries and expense allowances for the Secretary of State and Attorney General | d | 905,767 (50%) | 910,297 (50%) |
Mississippi
See also:Mississippi 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Public education funding | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via House Concurrent Resolution No. 35. The amendment proposed to establish an educational trust fund in the state treasury. The income from said trust would be appropriated by the legislature only for elementary, secondary, vocational or technical education. Severance taxes on oil and gas production from state-owned minerals, certain other income from state-owned oil and gas properties and funds from certain other sources would be paid into the educational trust fund. |
| 369,367 (82%) | 79,854 (18%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Public employee retirement funds | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 518. The amendment proposed to place in trust all assets and income of the Public Employee’s Retirement System and the Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System for the exclusive purpose of paying administrative expenses and providing benefits to eligible members of the two systems. |
| 402,642 (85%) | 69,041 (15%) | |
| Amendment 3 | State executive official measures | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via House Concurrent Resolution No. 5. The amendment proposed to limit the governor to two terms in office. |
| 347,145 (75%) | 112,781 (25%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Executive official term limits | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 513. The amendment proposed to remove term limits for the state treasurer. |
| 274,929 (61%) | 177,661 (39%) | |
| Amendment 5 | Property;Administration of government | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 537. The amendment proposed would authorize the legislature to extend the maximum lease period of 25 to 40 years for sixteenth section lands (land held in trust by the state) that are leased for ground rental. |
| 312,581 (70%) | 135,148 (30%) |
June 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Taxes | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via House Concurrent Resolution No. 41. The amendment proposed to amend: Section 112, which would establish assessment ratios for revised property classes and that the assessment ratio of one class of property would not exceed three times the assessment ratio of other classes of property. The legislature may limit or deny county taxation on nuclear power facilities. |
| 103,365 (51%) | 100,647 (49%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Civil service | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended via House Concurrent Resolution No. 63. The amendment proposed to amend: Section 109, which would prohibit a public officer, member of legislature or public employee from having any interest in any contract with the governmental level of which he/she is a member for up to a year after said person has left their position. Such interest could influence the performance of his/her official duties. | d | 75,231 (37%) | 128,528 (63%) |
Missouri
See also:Missouri 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 5 | Local government finance and taxes;Bond issue requirements | Authorize cities and counties to issue bonds for public improvements within a special district with the approval of a petition of two-thirds of property owners within that district, and levy a tax on district property owners to repay bonds | d | 594,117 (46%) | 687,978 (54%) | |
| Amendment 7 | Bond issue requirements;Local government finance and taxes | Allow two or more Missouri municipalities, as members of a statewide commission, to jointly issue revenue bonds for construction projects |
| 665,135 (55%) | 535,932 (45%) |
August 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 2 | State executive powers and duties;State legislative processes and sessions | Authorize any bill not signed, vetoed, or returned by the governor within the set time period will become law |
| 378,960 (54%) | 324,522 (46%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Budget stabilization funds;Tax and revenue administration | Establish a cash operating reserve fund in the state treasury, and allow money transfers and investments without impacting the total state funds |
| 423,712 (61%) | 269,903 (39%) | |
| Amendment 4 | Salaries of government officials | Limit county officials' compensation to amounts set by law or authorized authorities, with fiscal effects depending on actions taken by the General Assembly or county governments after adoption |
| 473,135 (70%) | 205,945 (30%) | |
| Amendment 6 | State executive powers and duties;Tax and revenue administration | Allow the state treasurer custody of state funds, allow investment of non-state funds, and authorize investment in long-term federal obligations |
| 411,294 (60%) | 274,975 (40%) | |
| Amendment 8 | Gambling policy | Clarify the horse racing amendment, authorize local options, allow legal changes, and may increase the number of tracks in Missouri, potentially generating future revenues without immediate impact on state or local finances |
| 410,889 (58%) | 292,863 (42%) |
Montana
See also:Montana 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-15 | Alcohol laws |
| 207,233 (66%) | 106,611 (34%) | |
| C-16 | Salaries of government officials |
| 172,517 (60%) | 116,143 (40%) | |
| CI-27 | Property;Taxes | d | 140,090 (44%) | 177,016 (56%) | |
| CI-30 | State legislative vote requirements;State legislative authority |
| 175,502 (56%) | 136,653 (44%) | |
| I-104 | Business regulations;Food policy | d | 153,293 (49%) | 160,835 (51%) | |
| I-105 | Taxes;Property |
| 166,694 (55%) | 136,904 (45%) | |
| LR-100 | Gambling policy |
| 216,706 (69%) | 97,459 (31%) |
Nebraska
See also:Nebraska 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State legislative processes and sessions | Change the date on which the legislature convened as well as the date of when a member's term commenced | d | 223,673 (49%) | 228,808 (51%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Impeachment rules | Change the legislature's impeachment procedures to allow proceedings to begin in a regular or special session, require that impeachment resolutions give notice of acts or omissions alleged to constitute the impeachments, and change the time in which the chief justice has to convene the supreme court to try the case from 10 days to "in an expeditious fashion" |
| 257,398 (60%) | 173,281 (40%) | |
| Referendum 400 | Public education governance | Repeal a law that required elementary school only districts to merge with districts that contained a high school | d | 173,498 (33%) | 344,445 (67%) | |
| Referendum 401 | Vehicle and driver regulations | Repeal a law that would have required drivers and front seat passengers of vehicles to wear seat belts | d | 266,944 (50%) | 268,127 (50%) |
Nevada
See also:Nevada 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Property taxes;Tax and revenue administration;Property tax exemptions | Exempt bank stocks from taxation, aligning them with other corporate shares while maintaining taxes on bank-owned personal property. |
| 153,528 (64%) | 88,203 (36%) | |
| Question 2 | State legislative authority;State judicial authority | Allow the legislature to define the authority and appointment conditions of referees in district courts to assist judges with factual issues. |
| 132,654 (55%) | 107,941 (45%) | |
| Question 3 | Sales taxes | Require contractors who fabricate materials for their own use to pay the same tax as if they purchased the materials. | d | 102,354 (42%) | 140,973 (58%) | |
| Question 4 | Sales taxes;Airport infrastructure | Exempt the sale of aircraft and major components to Nevada-based scheduled air carriers from sales and use tax. |
| 129,602 (54%) | 109,771 (46%) | |
| Question 5 | Higher education funding;Public education funding;Revenue allocation | Allow Nevada to receive a share of revenue from the federal estate tax, with funds allocated to public schools and the state university system. |
| 213,684 (85%) | 37,369 (15%) | |
| Question 6 | Sales taxes | Require government and tax-exempt organization contractors to pay sales and use taxes like other purchasers. |
| 177,881 (73%) | 64,241 (27%) | |
| Question 7 | Bond issues | Issue up to $31,000,000 in bonds to buy land and control erosion and pollution in the Tahoe Basin. |
| 138,430 (57%) | 105,618 (43%) | |
| Question 8 | Sales taxes | Exempt prosthetic devices, ostomy-related supplies, and hemodialysis products from sales and use tax. |
| 165,191 (69%) | 74,835 (31%) |
New Hampshire
See also:New Hampshire 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Jury Trial | Jury rules;Civil trials | This amendment proposed that the threshold amount required to entitle a jury trial in some civil suits should be determined by law.Note: Although this measure gathered more "yes" votes, it did not pass because New Hampshire requires that an amendment receive greater than two-thirds of the vote to be approved. | d | 107,481 (64%) | 59,835 (36%) |
New Jersey
See also:New Jersey 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Question No. 1 | Bond issues | The Hazardous Discharge Bond Act of 1981 was amended to allow bond money to be used on hazardous waste cleanup operations without first looking to other state or federal funds. |
| 813,183 (68%) | 385,032 (32%) | |
| Public Question No. 2 | Bond issues | The Hazardous Discharge Bond Act of 1986 authorized $200 million in bonds for the cleanup of hazardous waste contingent on the enactment of other revenue-raising measures for such projects. |
| 786,576 (66%) | 399,467 (34%) |
New Mexico
See also:New Mexico 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Amendment No. 1 | Public education governance | The ballot proposal allowed for the New Mexico Legislature to determine procedures for the recall of local school board members. |
| 178,149 (63%) | 103,483 (37%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 10 | Workers' compensation laws;Administrative organization | The ballot proposal allowed for the creation of a workmen's compensation body. |
| 173,989 (65%) | 92,419 (35%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 11 | Executive official term limits | The ballot proposal limited state executive officers to two consecutive four-year terms to start on January 1, 1991. |
| 168,850 (61%) | 106,013 (39%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 2 | Firearms policy | The ballot proposal prohibited municipalities and counties from regulating the right to keep and bear arms. |
| 179,716 (62%) | 111,517 (38%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 3 | Local government officials and elections;Residency voting requirements | The ballot proposal addressed residence in municipalities. |
| 181,880 (68%) | 84,964 (32%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 4 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance;Banking policy | The ballot proposal allowed the state to deposit money in credit unions if it was federally insured. |
| 198,766 (72%) | 78,948 (28%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 5 | Law enforcement officers and departments | The ballot proposal extended the capabilities of law enforcement. |
| 181,813 (66%) | 93,731 (34%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 6 | Administration of government;State executive official measures | The ballot proposal added interim hearings for confirmations of gubernatorial appointments. |
| 161,322 (61%) | 103,134 (39%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 7 | Public education governance | The ballot proposal allowed for the expansion of the state board of education. |
| 142,909 (53%) | 126,928 (47%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 8 | Higher education governance | The ballot proposal expanded the University of New Mexico Board of Regents from five to seven. |
| 164,385 (60%) | 108,118 (40%) | |
| Constitutional Amendment No. 9 | Local official term limits | The ballot proposal would have allowed for four consecutive terms for county officers. | d | 119,504 (43%) | 156,177 (57%) | |
| Educational Bond Act | Higher education funding;Bond issues | The bond act allowed for the issuance of $35 million in funds for capital expenditures at certain educational institutions. |
| 153,317 (59%) | 104,540 (41%) |
North Carolina
See also:North Carolina 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elections for Office Vacancies Amendment | State executive elections;State legislative elections | Hold elections to fill an officer's term if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next election. |
| 740,241 (67%) | 365,959 (33%) | |
| Higher Education Facilities Bonds Amendment | Bond issues;Revenue allocation;Higher education funding | Authorize state revenue bonds to finance or refinance higher education facilities for nonprofit corporations |
| 675,587 (60%) | 448,845 (40%) | |
| Seaport and Airport Development Amendment | Local government organization;Ports and harbors | Grant public bodies additional powers to develop new and existing seaports and airports |
| 688,911 (64%) | 391,908 (36%) |
May 6
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Advisory Question | Nuclear energy | Advise the government of support for a "high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel disposal site" | d | 51,224 (6%) | 771,325 (94%) | |
| State and County Officer Elections in Odd-Numbered Years Amendment | State executive elections;Local government officials and elections;State legislative elections | Provide for elections of state and county officers in odd-numbered years. | d | 230,159 (30%) | 547,076 (70%) |
North Dakota
See also:North Dakota 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | State executive official measures |
| 171,766 (65%) | 93,220 (35%) | |
| Measure 2 | State executive elections |
| 131,956 (51%) | 124,599 (49%) | |
| Measure 3 | Gambling policy | d | 127,136 (45%) | 156,777 (55%) | |
| Measure 4 | Sunday regulations;Business regulations | d | 115,422 (40%) | 172,577 (60%) |
June 10
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Mineral resources |
| 62,240 (59%) | 43,259 (41%) | |
| Measure 2 | State executive official measures | d | 44,706 (44%) | 56,115 (56%) | |
| Measure 3 | Administration of government |
| 58,337 (55%) | 47,518 (45%) | |
| Measure 4 | Sunday regulations;Business regulations | d | 57,903 (46%) | 67,544 (54%) |
Oklahoma
See also:Oklahoma 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 589 | Mineral resources;Child labor regulations | Allow individuals 18 or older, regardless of gender, to work in underground mines, removing outdated language and raising the minimum age. |
| 624,548 (73%) | 231,879 (27%) | |
| State Question 590 | Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements | Remove Section 18 of Article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution relating to the poll tax. |
| 708,807 (84%) | 138,400 (16%) | |
| State Question 591 | Alcohol laws | Require winemakers to sell to all wholesalers and allow direct sales on winery grounds for locally made wine. |
| 565,510 (67%) | 273,469 (33%) | |
| State Question 592 | Business regulations;Transportation | Remove the limits on railroads rates for first-class train passengers. |
| 614,064 (74%) | 215,639 (26%) | |
| State Question 593 | Corrections governance;Criminal sentencing;Parole policy;State executive powers and duties | Remove the power to grant paroles for death or life without parole sentences, while retaining authority for other clemency actions. |
| 619,251 (74%) | 213,865 (26%) | |
| State Question 597 | Property;Taxes | Authorize taxing federal property obtained through foreclosure or bankruptcy unless prohibited by federal law. |
| 550,237 (68%) | 264,030 (32%) |
August 26
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 594 | Mineral resources;Administration of government | Eliminate the Chief Mine Inspector position, transferring duties to the Department of Mines and removing mining district requirements. |
| 434,644 (67%) | 211,366 (33%) | |
| State Question 596 | Pollution, waste, and recycling policy;Property taxes | Allow counties to provide solid waste services, fund them with a tax levy up to three mills, and issue bonds for related purposes. |
| 343,243 (53%) | 299,882 (47%) | |
| State Question 599 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance;Education | Allow certain school funds to be invested in federally insured savings and loans and credit unions. |
| 464,602 (73%) | 175,617 (27%) | |
| State Question 600 | State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | Increase the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority's bond limit to $90 million, raise lending limits, and allow federal loan purchases. |
| 369,049 (59%) | 261,165 (41%) |
Oregon
See also:Oregon 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | State executive official measures | Remove the constitutional requirement for the Secretary of State live in the state capital, Salem. |
| 771,959 (74%) | 265,999 (26%) | |
| Measure 10 | Crime victims' rights | Expand crime victims’ rights and role in the criminal justice process, prosecution, and sentencing |
| 774,766 (75%) | 251,509 (25%) | |
| Measure 11 | Taxes;Property | Exempt part of an owner’s home value from property tax, require equivalent renter’s relief, and prohibit sales tax except by initiative. | d | 381,727 (37%) | 639,034 (63%) | |
| Measure 12 | Taxes | Reduce low bracket personal and corporate income tax rates, increase higher bracket rates, and increase revenue to provide property tax relief. | d | 299,551 (29%) | 720,034 (71%) | |
| Measure 13 | Voter registration | Require a voter to be registered at least twenty days before an election in order to vote. |
| 693,460 (67%) | 343,450 (33%) | |
| Measure 14 | Nuclear energy | Prohibit nuclear power plant operations until the federal government licenses a permanent radioactive waste disposal site. | d | 375,241 (36%) | 674,641 (64%) | |
| Measure 15 | Nuclear energy | Change the definition of radioactive waste to include waste generated before June 1, 1981 from zirconium, hafnium, or niobium production. | d | 424,099 (43%) | 558,741 (57%) | |
| Measure 16 | Nuclear weapons and missiles policy;Business regulations;Taxes | Provide tax credits to nuclear weapons manufacturers transitioning to consumer goods and penalize those who did not transition after 1990. | d | 400,119 (40%) | 590,971 (60%) | |
| Measure 2 | Redistricting policy | Revise the legislative district reapportionment procedures, shortening residency requirements for candidates and permitting voters to recall holdover senators. |
| 637,410 (69%) | 291,355 (31%) | |
| Measure 3 | Gambling policy | Allow charitable, fraternal, and religious organizations to hold raffles, bing, and lotto games. |
| 736,739 (71%) | 302,957 (29%) | |
| Measure 4 | Administration of government;Utility policy | Replace the Public Utility Commissioner with a three member Public Utility Commission. |
| 724,577 (71%) | 297,973 (29%) | |
| Measure 5 | Marijuana laws | Allow persons 18 years or older to privately grow or possess marijuana for personal consumption. | d | 279,479 (26%) | 781,922 (74%) | |
| Measure 6 | Abortion policy | Prohibits the use of state funds for abortions | d | 477,920 (45%) | 580,163 (55%) | |
| Measure 7 | Taxes | Implement a 5% sales tax to shift school funding from property taxes to sales tax revenue, with a portion of these funds used for property tax relief for renters. | d | 234,804 (22%) | 816,369 (78%) | |
| Measure 8 | Utility policy | Prohibit the Public Utility Commissioner from requiring local measured telephone service payments from customers. |
| 802,099 (80%) | 201,918 (20%) | |
| Measure 9 | Taxes;Property | Set maximum property tax rates, limit assessed property value increases to 2%, and require a majority popular vote for any new or increased property taxes. | d | 449,548 (43%) | 584,396 (57%) |
May 20
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure 1 | Taxes | Prohibit taxing social security or railroad retirement benefits |
| 534,476 (82%) | 118,766 (18%) | |
| Measure 2 | Taxes | Align the tax base of a merged taxing unit, without territory expansion, to include the sum of the previous year's tax bases of all units plus six percent. |
| 333,277 (59%) | 230,886 (41%) | |
| Measure 3 | Initiative and referendum process | Establish a method for the Secretary of State verify initiative and referendum petition signatures. |
| 460,148 (78%) | 132,101 (22%) | |
| Measure 4 | State legislative elections | Require a special election for vacancies in the office of United States Senator. |
| 343,005 (56%) | 269,305 (44%) | |
| Measure 5 | Bond issues;Prison and jail funding | Authorize the issuance and sale of up to $96 million in bonds for state-county prison buildings. | d | 300,674 (48%) | 330,429 (52%) |
Rhode Island
See also:Rhode Island 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond Proposal 1 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $35 million in bonds for the Clean Water Act Environmental Trust Fund. |
| 204,272 (77%) | 62,435 (23%) | |
| Bond Proposal 2 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $17.2 million in bonds for the Blackstone Valley District Commission. |
| 156,857 (62%) | 96,226 (38%) | |
| Question 1 | Constitutional wording changes | The Rhode Island Constitution was rewritten to delete annulled sections and place amendments in order. |
| 155,421 (65%) | 84,592 (35%) | |
| Question 10 | Constitutional rights | The amendment would have banned felons and those convicted of some misdemeanors from holding office from three years following the completion of their sentences. It would have also restored felons' voting rights upon completing their sentences. | d | 111,565 (49%) | 117,996 (51%) | |
| Question 11 | State legislative authority;Public education funding | The state legislature was tasked with promoting public libraries and their services. |
| 156,975 (65%) | 84,076 (35%) | |
| Question 12 | Constitutional rights | The amendment authorized courts to deny bail to those accused of selling or distributing controlled substances punishable by 10 years or more in prison. |
| 188,082 (66%) | 96,369 (34%) | |
| Question 13 | Local government organization | The amendment would have granted municipalities greater power over local affairs. | d | 126,542 (46%) | 147,578 (54%) | |
| Question 14 | Abortion policy | Establish an "inalienable and paramount right to life" for "human beings, including their unborn offspring at every stage of their biological development beginning with fertilization" in the Rhode Island Constitution | d | 102,633 (34%) | 197,520 (66%) | |
| Question 17 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $13.6 million in bonds for ground water supplies, water transmission and studies for the Big River Reservoir Project. |
| 143,973 (53%) | 125,964 (47%) | |
| Question 18 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $6 million in bonds for capital development. $2 million went towards state ports for commercial fishing, $4 million for public recreation facilities and $10 million for agricultural preservation. |
| 173,010 (65%) | 92,515 (35%) | |
| Question 19 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $11.69 million in bonds for community group homes, drug abuse treatment facilities, apartment buildings, day care mental health treatment facilities and regional centers for the mentally disabled. |
| 160,137 (58%) | 115,731 (42%) | |
| Question 2 | State judiciary oversight;Age limits for officials;State judicial selection | Establish an independent commission for judicial nominations and set a mandatory retirement age of 72 | d | 126,535 (46%) | 147,587 (54%) | |
| Question 20 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $2.6 million in bonds for facilities holding day activity programs for those with physical and mobile disabilities. |
| 183,021 (68%) | 87,646 (32%) | |
| Question 21 | Bond issues | The measure authorized $6.5 million in bonds for group facilities for mentally ill children, a maximum security facility and Training School facilities. |
| 165,063 (62%) | 101,262 (38%) | |
| Question 22 | Pollution, waste, and recycling policy;Bond issues | The measure authorized $2 million in bonds for hazardous waste reduction, recycling and treatment technologies. |
| 182,931 (68%) | 87,494 (32%) | |
| Question 23 | Insurance policy | The measure authorized the state to pledge credit to insure mortgage payments on used machinery and equipment as well as second mortgages held by local development authorities. |
| 177,977 (65%) | 95,296 (35%) | |
| Question 24 | Bond issues | The measure would have authorized $8.7 million in bonds for an oceanographic/atmospheric laboratory and a fieldhouse at the University of Rhode Island. | d | 84,757 (32%) | 182,002 (68%) | |
| Question 25 | Bond issues | The measure would have authorized $57.49 million in bonds for transportation capital, including replacement buses for RIPTA, non-interstate highways, bridge replacement, garages, highway safety projects and state airfields. | d | 102,633 (34%) | 197,520 (66%) | |
| Question 3 | State legislatures measures | The amendment set the daily pay of state legislators at a rate equal to the state's manufacturing workers, with the House Speaker earning double. It also set the mileage compensation rate for state legislators at the same level as the rate for federal employees. |
| 156,857 (62%) | 96,226 (38%) | |
| Question 4 | State executive official measures | The amendment set the terms of state executive and legislative officeholders at four years and subject them to recall. |
| 158,223 (63%) | 91,707 (37%) | |
| Question 5 | State constitutional conventions;Initiative and referendum process | Establish a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment and statute process in Rhode Island | d | 129,309 (48%) | 139,294 (52%) | |
| Question 6 | Campaign finance;Ethics rules and commissions;Impeachment rules | The amendment adopted more specific standards for impeachment, established an ethics commission, charged the state legislature with adopting limits on campaign finance and enacting a public campaign fund. |
| 166,956 (70%) | 73,026 (30%) | |
| Question 7 | State executive official measures | The amendment tasked the governor with presenting an annual budget and named the House Speaker to become governor in the event of both the governor and lieutenant governor dying or becoming incapacitated. |
| 162,367 (67%) | 78,867 (33%) | |
| Question 8 | Constitutional rights;Crime victims' rights | The amendment added clauses relating to free speech, due process and equal protection, prohibited the state and those working with it to discriminate based on race, gender or handicap and granted rights to victims of crimes. |
| 163,862 (68%) | 76,238 (32%) | |
| Question 9 | Environment | The amendment defined rights of fishery and shore privileges and expanded state and local powers to protect them. |
| 167,772 (70%) | 73,286 (30%) |
South Carolina
See also:South Carolina 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judiciary |
| 484,440 (89%) | 58,835 (11%) |
South Dakota
See also:South Dakota 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment A | State executive powers and duties;State executive branch structure | Allow the Governor to establish the duties of the Lieutenant Governor | d | 122,221 (46%) | 144,976 (54%) | |
| Amendment B | Gambling policy;Revenue allocation | Allow the Legislature to authorize and regulate a state lottery |
| 163,005 (60%) | 110,153 (40%) | |
| Amendment C | Public education funding;School choice policy | Authorize the loan of nonsectarian textbooks to children in nonpublic schools |
| 148,813 (54%) | 127,530 (46%) | |
| Initiated Measure 1 | State flags, symbols, and holidays | Establish the legal observation of Memorial Day as the last Monday in May |
| 164,732 (58%) | 117,063 (42%) |
Texas
See also:Texas 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Taxes | Remove the role of the comptroller in the apportionment of value of railroad rolling stock for ad valorem property taxation purposes |
| 1,409,714 (59%) | 977,823 (41%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Administration of government | Require the legislature to include a title expressing the subject matter of the bill within each bill |
| 1,811,414 (74%) | 651,146 (26%) | |
| Proposition 3 | Insurance policy | Allow localities to purchase mutual insurance |
| 1,544,815 (64%) | 855,032 (36%) | |
| Proposition 4 | Banking policy;Business regulations | Allow banks to offer full service banking at multiple locations within the city or county where its principal facility is situated. |
| 1,942,095 (73%) | 707,818 (27%) |
Utah
See also:Utah 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposition 1 | Property tax exemptions | Exempt property owned by nonprofit entities and used exclusively for hospital or nursing home purposes from property taxes | d | 210,347 (50%) | 212,177 (50%) | |
| Proposition 2 | Agriculture policy;Property tax exemptions | Allow farm equipment to be exempt from property tax |
| 251,201 (61%) | 163,806 (39%) | |
| Proposition 3 | Religion in public schools;Higher education governance;Public education governance;Constitutional wording changes | Restructure the Education Article of the constitution |
| 238,289 (60%) | 160,314 (40%) |
Vermont
See also:Vermont 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congressional Redistricting Amendment | Redistricting policy |
| ||||
| Proposal 1 | Sex and gender issues;Constitutional rights | Prohibit the denial or abridgment of rights on account of an individual's sex | d | 89,426 (48%) | 95,547 (52%) |
Virginia
See also:Virginia 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Voter registration | Allow a person who hasn't voted in four years to remain registered to vote if they request such in writing and still live at the same address as on the voter registration records |
| 646,267 (66%) | 325,648 (34%) | |
| Question 2 | Election administration and governance | Allow government employees who are not elected or employed by elected officials to be appointed as assistant voter registrars or officers of elections |
| 478,921 (52%) | 450,180 (48%) | |
| Question 3 | State judiciary oversight | Allow the Virginia Supreme Court to answer questions of state law certified to it by a federal court or the highest appellate court of another state |
| 709,745 (78%) | 201,116 (22%) | |
| Question 4 | Criminal trials | Give the state the right to appeal certain preliminary dismissals and exclusions of evidence in felony cases |
| 683,198 (75%) | 228,784 (25%) |
Washington
See also:Washington 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJR 49 | Salaries of government officials;State judiciary structure | Authorize an independent commission to set salaries for elected officials and judges |
| 630,736 (52%) | 575,213 (48%) | |
| HJR 55 | Property taxes;Public education funding | Permit voters to approve tax levies beyond 1% of property value for up to six years to fund school construction and improvements |
| 712,816 (59%) | 492,445 (41%) | |
| Initiative 90 | Sales taxes;Parks, land, and natural area conservation | Increase sales taxes to fund wildlife conservation and recreation programs | d | 493,794 (39%) | 784,382 (61%) | |
| Referendum 40 | Nuclear energy | Allow state officials to continue to legally challenge nuclear waste repository locations by the federal government. |
| 1,055,896 (83%) | 222,141 (17%) | |
| SJR 136 | State judicial authority;State judiciary structure | Expand judicial conduct review commission by adding two members and granting the authority to suspend judges for improper conduct |
| 696,932 (59%) | 486,490 (41%) | |
| SJR 138 | Local government officials and elections;State legislative elections | Amend the process of filling vacancies in state legislative and county offices. | d | 557,447 (49%) | 585,642 (51%) |
West Virginia
See also:West Virginia 1986 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Firearms policy | The state adopted the provision that, "A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use." |
| 342,963 (84%) | 67,168 (16%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Public education funding;Bond issues | d | 191,415 (48%) | 209,355 (52%) | ||
| Amendment 3 | Taxes;Property |
| 215,640 (58%) | 158,731 (42%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | Local official term limits | d | 123,966 (31%) | 269,622 (69%) | ||
| Amendment 5 | Highways and bridges;Bond issues | The measure proposed the "sale of a maximum of $500 million in road bonds, to be funded by the collection of an additional one percent sales tax." | d | 155,395 (39%) | 244,482 (61%) | |
| Amendment 6 | Public education governance |
| 246,120 (64%) | 136,927 (36%) |
Wisconsin
See also:Wisconsin 1986 ballot measures
April 1
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Voting rights for persons with criminal convictions;Constitutional rights;Constitutional wording changes;Residency voting requirements;Voter registration;Absentee and mail voting | Guarantee the right of a secret ballot, specify that all U.S. citizens or residents of Wisconsin election districts over 18 are qualified electors, and enumerate that the legislature can enact laws about residency, voter registration, absentee voting, the exclusion of felons from voting, the extension of suffrage to additional classes of people |
| 401,911 (83%) | 83,183 (17%) | |
| Question 2 | State legislative elections;State executive elections;State judicial selection | Remove and revise elections procedure provisions |
| 404,273 (83%) | 82,512 (17%) | |
| Question 3 | American Indian issues;Constitutional wording changes | Remove constitutional language about voting information for "persons residing upon Indian lands" |
| 381,339 (79%) | 102,090 (21%) | |
| Question 4 | Constitutional wording changes | Changing the constitutional phrase "serve these rights" back to "secure these rights" to match the Declaration of Independence |
| 419,699 (87%) | 65,418 (13%) |
Other years
Click on a year in the following table to view that year’s state ballot measures.
See also
State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
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