STATE I&R
The grid below shows which states have the initiative and referendum process (citizens can place issues on the ballot) and what type. Every state has some form of the legislative process which allows the government to place issues on the ballot and so therefore is not referenced in the map. Please click here for a complete listing of legislative referendum states and a breakdown of which states allow legislative constitutional amendments and those that allow legislative statutes.
State-by-State List of Initiative and Referendum Provisions
| State | Date adopted | Type of process available |
Type of Initiative process available |
Type of initiative process used to propose constitutional amendments |
Type of initiative process used to propose statutes |
||||
| Initiative | Referendum | Constitutional Amendment | Statute | Direct | Indirect | Direct | Indirect | ||
| AK AZ AR CA CO |
1956 1911 1910 1911 1912 |
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No No No No No |
No Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes No No No No |
| FL ID IL ME |
1972 1912 1970 1908 |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No Yes No Yes |
Yes No Yes No |
No Yes No Yes |
Yes No Yes No |
No No No No |
No Yes No No |
No No No Yes |
| MD MA MI MS MO |
1915 1918 1908 1914/92 1908 |
No Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes No Yes |
No Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No Yes Yes No Yes |
No No Yes No Yes |
No Yes No Yes No |
No No No No Yes |
No Yes Yes No No |
| MT NE NV NM ND |
1904/72 1912 1905 1911 1914 |
Yes Yes Yes No Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes No Yes |
Yes Yes Yes No Yes |
Yes Yes Yes No Yes |
No No No No No |
Yes Yes No No Yes |
No No Yes No No |
| OH OK OR SD |
1912 1907 1902 1898/72/88 |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes Yes |
No No No No |
No Yes Yes Yes |
Yes No No No |
| UT WA WY |
1900/17 1912 1968 |
Yes Yes Yes |
Yes Yes Yes |
No No No |
Yes Yes Yes |
No No No |
No No No |
Yes Yes No |
Yes Yes Yes |
| Totals | 26 states | 24 states | 23 states | 18 states | 21 states | 16 states | 2 states | 14 states | 9 states |
Every state allows the legislature to place a measure on the ballot. Every state except Delaware requires a popular vote to approve constitutional amendments.
Other State Initiative and Referendum Resources