State judicial authority ballot measures
From Ballotpedia
Jump to:navigation,search
Voters have decided onstate judiciary authority ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, this refers to measures regarding the powers and jurisdiction of state courts, including judicial review, authority over specific legal issues, and the courts’ role in interpreting laws. The topic is grouped within thegovernance policy area.
This page provides information on:
This page provides information on:
- Related ballot measures
- Upcoming ballot measures
- Comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state
Related ballot measures
Related state and local ballot measure topics
Local ballot measures
Local government structureExplore more state ballot measure topics
Scroll to explore topics. Click a topic to view more information.
Economic regulationsBanking policyBusiness regulationsInsurance policyPublic economic investment policyTax policyBusiness taxesCarbon taxes and feesFees, licenses, and chargesFood and beverage taxesFuel taxesIncome taxesProperty taxesProperty tax exemptionsSales taxesSeverance taxesTobacco and cigarette taxesBudget policyBalanced budget requirementsBudget stabilization fundsDebt limitsRevenue allocationRevenue and spending limitsRestricted-use fundsBond issuesBond issue requirementsTax and revenue administrationCivil law and trialsCivil trialsTort lawCriminal sentences and trialsBail policyCriminal sentencingCriminal trialsDeath penaltyJuvenile criminal justiceParole policyDrug regulationsAlcohol lawsDrug crime policyMarijuana lawsPsychedelic substance lawsSmoking bansTobacco lawsLaw enforcement and correctionsCorrections governanceLaw enforcement fundingLaw enforcement officers and departmentsPrison and jail fundingPrison work regulationsCrime victims' rightsDueling bansHigher educationHigher education fundingHigher education governancePublic K–12 educationPublic education fundingPublic education governancePublic school teachers and staffReligion in public schoolsSchool class size policyEarly childhood educationSchool choice policyDirect democracyBallot measure supermajority requirementsBallot measure processInitiative and referendum processRecall processElectoral systemsCumulative votingPresidential electoral votePrimary election systemsProportional representationRanked-choice votingRunoff electionsTerm limitsCongressional term limitsExecutive official term limitsJudicial term limitsLocal official term limitsState legislative term limitsVoting policyAbsentee and mail votingCitizenship voting requirementsEarly votingLiteracy, poll tax, and property voting requirementsPrimary election participationRace and suffrageResidency voting requirementsVoter ID policyVoter registrationVoting age policyVoting rights for persons with criminal convictionsWomen's suffrageAge limits for officialsCampaign financeElection administration and governanceRedistricting policyEnergy policyCarbon emissions regulationsEnergy conservation and efficiencyEnergy market regulationsEnergy transmission projectsFossil fuel energyHydroelectric energyNuclear energySolar and wind energyHunting and fishingFisheries and fishing regulationsGame and fish commissionsHunting regulationsRight to hunt and fishNatural disaster policyEarthquake infrastructureFlood infrastructure and managementStorm infrastructureWildfire managementAgriculture policyAnimal treatment lawsFood policyForestry and timberMineral resourcesParks, land, and natural area conservationPollution, waste, and recycling policyAdministrative agenciesAdministrative organizationAdministrative powers and rulemakingLocal governmentLocal government organizationLocal government officials and electionsLocal government finance and taxesState constitutionsConstitutional rightsConstitutional wording changesState constitution ratificationState constitutional conventionsState executivesExecutive branch structureState executive electionsState executive powers and dutiesState legislaturesState legislative authorityState legislative electionsState legislative processes and sessionsState legislative structureState legislative vote requirementsState judiciaryState judicial authorityState judicial selectionState judiciary oversightState judiciary structureCensus policyCivil serviceEthics rules and commissionsFederal government issuesJury rulesImpeachment rulesOpen meetings and public informationSalaries of government officialsState capitalsState flags, symbols, and holidaysStatehoodTime standardsHousing policyHomestead tax exemptionsHousing assistance programsHousing development fundingRent control and regulationsTransportation policyAirport infrastructureHighways and bridgesNon-motorized transportationPorts and harborsPublic transportationRailwaysToll roadsTransportation taxes and feesVehicle and driver regulationsWater infrastructureDrinking water systemsSewage and stormwaterWater irrigation policyWater storageEminent domain policyLand use and development policyPublic land policyTelecommunications infrastructureUtility policyLabor union policyCollective bargainingLabor disputes and strikesLabor union deductionsRight-to-work lawsHealthcare policyComplementary and alternative healthcareHealthcare facility fundingHealthcare governancePrivate health insurancePublic health insuranceVaccinations and disease policyWork regulationsChild labor regulationsGender-based labor regulationsMinimum wage lawsPaid sick leave lawsWorkers' compensation lawsWorking hours regulationsPublic assistance programsPublic employee retirement fundsPublic works labor and contractingDefense-related fundingGovernment continuity policyMilitary service policyMilitary-related advisory questionsNuclear weapons policyState National Guard and militiaVeterans policyAbortion policyAffirmative actionAmerican Indian issuesAssisted death policyAthletics and sportsEnglish language policyFamily-related policyFirearms policyGambling policyImmigration policyLGBTQ issuesRace and ethnicity issuesReligion-related policySex and gender issuesSexual content regulationsSunday regulations
Upcoming ballot measures
- See also:2026 ballot measures and2027 ballot measures
The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:
List of state ballot measures
Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.
Years
States
2026
- Maryland Authorize Congressional Redistricting and Supreme Court Original Jurisdiction Amendment (2026) - Potential
2025
2024
- Arizona Proposition 137, End Term Limits and Retention Elections for Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges Amendment (2024)

- Georgia Amendment 2, Creation of Tax Court Amendment (2024)

2020
2014
2012
2010
- Nevada Question 2, Appellate Court Amendment (2010)

- Washington Judge Bail Authority Amendment, HJR 4220 (2010)

2006
2004
- Georgia Amendment 2, State Supreme Court Jurisdiction Measure (2004)

- New Hampshire Court Practices and Procedure Amendment (2004)

- North Carolina Court of Justice Terms Amendment (2004)

2002
- Kentucky Proposed Family Court Amendment, Amendment 1 (2002)

- Maryland District Court Commissioners Powers and Duties, Question 1 (2002)

- Tennessee Fine Limits, Amendment 2 (2002)

- Virginia Question 1, Actual Innocence Claims Amendment (2002)

2001
2000
1999
1998
- Maryland Retired Judges Assignment, Question 2 (1998)

- Nevada Question 3, Designation of District Court Location Amendment (1998)

- Utah Proposition 6, Permit the Legislature to Authorize State Courts to Review State Tax Commission Decisions Amendment (1998)

- Virginia Question 2, Confidentiality of Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission Proceedings Amendment (1998)

1997
1996
1995
1994
- California Proposition 190, Disciplinary Proceedings and Removal of State Judges Amendment (1994)

- Nevada Question 1, Judicial Discipline Commission Amendment (1994)

- Vermont Limitation of Bail for Criminal Offenses, Proposed Amendment (1994)

1993
- Washington HJR 4201, District Court Jurisdiction Amendment (1993)

- Washington Initiative 593, Life Sentencing for Three Serious Offense Convictions Measure (1993)

1992
1991
1990
- Georgia Amendment 7, Municipal Court Jurisdiction Measure (1990)

- Maryland Circuit Court Clerk Governance, Question 2 (1990)

- Nebraska Amendment 2, Right to Appeal to Supreme Court and Appellate Courts Measure (1990)

- Nevada Question 1, Establishment of Family Court Amendment (1990)

1987
1986
- Arkansas Civil Jurisdiction Increase, Proposed Amendment 64 (1986)

- Florida Amendment 1, Appointment of a Statewide Prosecutor Amendment (1986)

- Florida Amendment 4, Supreme Court Advisory Opinions on Initiatives Amendment (1986)

- Nevada Question 2, Referees in District Courts Amendment (1986)

- Washington SJR 136, Commission on Judicial Conduct Amendment (1986)

1985
1984
1983
- New York Amendment 4, Services of Certain Judges and Justices after Retirement Amendment (1983)

- New York Amendment 5, Temporary Assignment of Judges Amendment (1983)

- New York Amendment 7, County Courts, District Courts, and NYC Civil Court Jurisdiction Amendment (1983)

1982
- Colorado Amendment No. 3, Commission on Judicial Discipline Amendment (1982)

- Missouri Amendment 10, Supreme Court Review of Life Imprisonment Measure (1982)

- Missouri Amendment 12, Reapportionment Commission Hearings Measure (1982)

- North Carolina Supreme Court Review of Utilities Commission Appeals Amendment (June 1982)

- Vermont Imposition of Bail for Criminal Offenses Amendment (1982)

1981
1980
- Florida Amendment 2, Jurisdiction of the State Supreme Court Amendment (March 1980)

- Georgia Amendment 12, Juvenile Court Case Venues Measure (1980)

- Maryland Consolidation of Courts in Baltimore, Question 2 (1980)

- Maryland Removal of Cases from Court, Question 3 (1980)

- Nevada Question 7, Intermediate Court of Appeals Amendment (1980)

1978
- Michigan Proposal K, Denial of Bail Amendment (1978)

- Nevada Question 2, Jurisdiction Limit for Justice Courts Amendment (1978)

- New Hampshire Change of Venue in Criminal Trial Amendment (1978)

1977
- New York Amendment 4, Jurisdiction of Courts Outside New York City Amendment (1977)

- Washington SJR 113, Expand District Court Jurisdiction Amendment (1977)

1976
- Maryland Authority of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Question 11 (1976)

- Maryland District Court Jurisdiction, Question 8 (1976)

- Missouri Amendment 6, Authority and Jurisdiction of Courts Measure (August 1976)

- Nevada Question 4, Suspended Sentences by State Courts Amendment (1976)

- Nevada Question 6, Central Administration of the Court System Amendment (1976)

- Nevada Question 9, Supreme Court Oral Argument Amendment (1976)

- North Dakota Judiciary Article Referendum, Amendment 3 (1976)

1975
- Kentucky Judicial Branch Restructuring Referendum (1975)

- Washington SJR 101, State Judiciary Revision Amendment (1975)

1974
- California Proposition 7, Revisions to State Constitution’s Declaration of Rights Amendment (1974)

- Georgia Amendment 4, Office and Court of Ordinary Measure (1974)

- Vermont Creation of a Unified Judicial System Amendment (1974)

1973
- New York Amendment 4, Salaries and Terms of District Judges Amendment (1973)

- New York Amendment 6, Jurisdiction of the Custody of Minors Amendment (1973)

1972
- Maryland Harford County Orphans' Court, Question 11 (1972)

- Nebraska Amendment 7, Supreme Court Budget Amendment (May 1972)

- South Dakota Amendment C, Judicial Reorganization Measure (1972)

1970
- Florida Amendment 3, Judicial Department Amendment (1970)

- Maryland Judicial Powers and Duties, Question 2 (1970)

- Missouri Amendment 3, Jurisdiction of Courts Measure (August 1970)

- Nebraska Amendment 9, Administration of the Courts Amendment (1970)

1968
- Georgia Amendment 13, Justice of the Peace Jurisdiction Measure (1968)

- Missouri Amendment 1, Gubernatorial Line of Succession and Board to Determine Governor's Ability to Serve Measure (August 1968)

- Nebraska Amendment 4, Election Contests Jurisdiction Amendment (1968)

- North Dakota Judicial Reform Referendum, Number 5 (1968)

1966
- Colorado Referred Law No. 2, Abolition of Death Penalty Measure (1966)

- Idaho Retired Justices Authority to Act, SJR 7 (1966)

- Maryland Create Intermediate Courts of Appeal, Amendment 7 (1966)

- Maryland Removal of Deputy Clerks in Washington County, Amendment 10 (1966)

- North Dakota Constitutional Revision Referendum, Number 4 (1966)

1965
1964
- Florida Amendment 9, Civil Trials at Branch Courthouse in Dade County (1964)

- Maine Question 2, State Legislator Oaths in Absence of Governor Amendment (1964)

- Maine Question 5, Judicial Power Article Amendment (1964)

- Massachusetts Question 4, Allow Governor or Executive Council to Request Legal Opinions from Supreme Judicial Court Amendment (1964)

1962
- Florida Amendment 4, Civil Jury Trials in Pasco County Amendment (1962)

- Maryland Municipal Court of Baltimore, Amendment 9 (1962)

- North Carolina Judiciary Organization Amendment (1962)

- Washington HJR 6, Temporary Judicial Duties Amendment (1962)

1960
- Florida Amendment 5, Civil Jury Trials and Administration of the Court System Amendment (1960)

- Florida Amendment 6, Civil Jury Trials in Brevard County Amendment (1960)

1958
- Georgia Amendment 13, Judges Emeritus on Atlanta Judicial Circuit Amendment (1958)

- Georgia Amendment 8, Judges Emeritus Amendment (1958)

- North Carolina Justice of the Peace Jurisdiction Amendment (1958)

1956
- Florida Amendment 1, Revision of the Court System Amendment (1956)

- Georgia Amendment 1, Judicial Review of Juvenile Court Decisions Amendment (1956)

- Georgia Amendment 6, Presiding Judges Emeritus Amendment (1956)

- Idaho Powers of Justice of the Peace, SJR 5 (1956)

- Idaho Powers of Probate Courts, SJR 4 (1956)

- Minnesota Amendment 1, Authorizing the State Legislature to Reorganize the Judiciary Amendment (1956)

- North Dakota Publication Supreme Court Decisions, Referendum 2 (1956)

1955
1954
- Minnesota Amendment 3, Permit the State Legislature to Extend Probate Jurisdiction Amendment (1954)

- North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Retirement and Temporary Service Amendment (1954)

1952
- Florida Amendment 10, Escambia County Court System Amendment (1952)

- Florida Amendment 2, State Judiciary Amendment (1952)

- Florida Amendment 4, Additional Circuit Judges for the Second Judicial Circuit Amendment (1952)

- Florida Amendment 8, Dade County Solicitor Amendment (1952)

- Minnesota Amendment 4, Authorize the State Legislature to Extend Probate Jurisdiction Amendment (1952)

- Washington HJR 13, Superior Court Jurisdiction Amendment (1952)

1950
- Florida Amendment 4, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Amendment (1950)

- Florida Amendment 5, Additional County Judges Amendment (1950)

- Georgia Amendment 8, Pro Hac Vice Judges Measure (1950)

- Nevada Question 1, State Judges Eligibility for Nonjudicial Office Amendment (1950)

- Nevada Question 3, Criminal Sentencing Amendment (1950)

- North Carolina Judicial Assignment and Special Court Jurisdiction Amendment (1950)

1944
- Florida Amendment 3, Justice of Peace Districts Amendment (1944)

- Florida Amendment 4, Elective Judicial Positions Amendment (1944)

1943
- Georgia Amendment 13, Disposition of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases Measure (August 1943)

- New York Amendment 6, Court of Appeals Amendment (1943)

1942
- Arkansas Prohibit Unauthorized Practice of Law, Referred Act No. 135 (1942)

- Florida Amendment 4, Election of Circuit Judges Amendment (1942)

- Florida Amendment 8, Garnishment of Wages for Debt Obligations Amendment (1942)

1941
1940
- Florida State Supreme Court Amendment (1940)

- Maryland Clerk of the Court of Appeals Appointment, Amendment 1 (1940)

1939
- Georgia Amendment 6, Hearings During Judicial Vacation Measure (June 1939)

- Michigan Proposal No. 2, Powers of Circuit Court Commissioners Amendment (April 1939)

1938
- Arkansas Chancery and Probate Matters, Proposed Amendment 24 (1938)

- Arkansas Regulate Practice of Law, Proposed Amendment 31 (1938)

- California Proposition 16, Retired Judicial Officers Amendment (1938)

- New York Amendment 5, Judiciary Article Amendment (1938)

1937
- New York Amendment 5, Jurisdiction and Powers of the City Court of NYC Amendment (1937)

- New York Amendment 6, Jurisdiction and Powers of the Municipal Court of NYC Amendment (1937)

1936
- Georgia Amendment 5, Disposition of Supreme Court Cases Measure (1936)

- Idaho Enlarge Jurisdiction of Supreme Court, HJR 1 (1936)

1934
- Florida Amendment 1, Judicial Circuit Amendment (1934)

- Michigan Proposal No. 6, Jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace Amendment (1934)

1932
- Florida State Supreme Court Amendment (1932)

- Washington SJR 11, Monetary Amount and Property Value Requirements for State Supreme Court Jurisdiction in Civil Cases Amendment (1932)

1924
- Missouri Amendment 1, Supreme Court Salaries and Procedures Measure (1924)

- Missouri Amendment 7, Judicial Council and Court Reorganization Measure (February 1924)

1922
- Florida Additional Circuit Court Judges Amendment (1922)

- Missouri Proposition 14, Laws Governing Local Justices of the Peace and Constables Referendum (1922)

1921
1920
- Idaho Supreme Court Public Utilities Jurisdiction, HJR 8 (1920)

- Nebraska Amendment 16, Supreme Court Agreement Amendment (September 1920)

- Nevada State Question 1, Supreme Court Judges and Hearings Amendment (1920)

1918
- California Proposition 6, Judicial Power Amendment (1918)

- North Dakota Supreme Court Requirements to Declare Laws Unconstitutional Referendum (1918)

1916
1914
1913
1912
- Florida Extra Judge for Duval County Amendment (1912)

- Ohio Additional Removal Process for Officials Accused of Misconduct or Moral Turpitude Amendment (September 1912)

1911
- California Proposition 18, Judicial Powers Amendment (October 1911)

- New York Amendment 2, Justices of the Appellate Division Amendment (1911)

1910
- Florida Establishment of Courts Amendment (1910)

- Idaho Authorize Supreme Court to Call a District Judge to Sit, SJR 7 (1910)

1908
- Florida Additional Judicial Circuits Amendment (1908)

- Florida Judicial Salaries Amendment (1908)

- Idaho Abolish Probate Court, HJR 3 (1908)

1906
1904
- Florida County Court Systems Amendment (1904)

- Florida State Judicial System Amendment (1904)

- Florida Supreme Court Decisions Amendment (1904)

1902
1899
- New York Amendment 3, Reorganization and Authority of the Appellate Division Amendment (1899)

- New York Amendment 4, Court of Appeals Amendment 4 (1899)

1898
- Montana Use of District Court Judges, Amendment 2 (1898)

- Utah Amendment 4, Permit Appeal of Rulings in District Courts Measure (1898)

1896
- Nebraska Amendment 4, Judicial Power Measure (1896)

- Nebraska Amendment 5, Authority to Increase Number of Judges Measure (1896)

1894
1893
1886
- Colorado Judicial Power Structure Amendment (1886)

- Colorado Supreme Court Written Opinions Amendment (1886)

1881
1877
1876
1875
1872
1868
1857
See also

State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
Measures
- • State ballot measures
- • Local ballot measures
- • Analyses
History
- • Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks
- • History of ballot measures by topic
Campaigns
- • Campaign finance
- • Endorsements
- • Polls