Types of ballot measures in Nevada


Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.

In Nevada, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Nevada State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Nevada.

The types of state ballot measures in Nevada are:

Initiated constitutional amendments
Indirect initiated state statutes
Veto referendums
Statute affirmations
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Legislatively referred state statutes
Legislatively referred bond measures
Advisory questions
Constitutional convention questions

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In Nevada, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, statute affirmations, and veto referendums. In 1912, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the initiative and referendum process in Nevada.

Initiated constitutional amendments

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Nevada, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote in two consecutive elections is required for voter approval.

Indirect initiated state statutes

See also: Initiated state statute

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Nevada, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Once sufficient signatures have been collected, statutory initiatives are first presented to the Nevada State Legislature. The legislature has 40 days to decide on the measure. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the proposed statute becomes law. If not, the law is submitted to voters at the next general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In Nevada, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 120 days before the next general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Statute affirmations

See also: Statute affirmation

A statute affirmation is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that prevents the Legislature from repealing or amending a statute in the future without a direct vote of the electorate. Nevada is the only state with this type of ballot measure. A statute affirmation is akin to a veto referendum being approved, rather than rejected, in Nevada.

In Nevada, the number of signatures required for a statute affirmation is equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for the Nevada State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred state statutes

See also: Legislatively referred state statute

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred bond measures

See also: Legislatively referred bond measure

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place a bond measure on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. In Nevada, bonds cannot exceed 2% of the assessed valuation of the state, with exceptions made "for the protection and preservation of any of its property or natural resources, or for the purposes of obtaining the benefits thereof, however arising and whether arising by or through any undertaking or project of the United States or by or through any treaty or compact between the states." Bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Advisory questions

See also: Advisory question

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Nevada State Legislature to place an advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 22 votes in the Nevada State Assembly and 11 votes in the Nevada State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Advisory questions require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Section 2 of Article 16 of the Nevada Constitution, a two-thirds vote of the Nevada State Legislature is required to refer a constitutional convention question to the ballot. A simple majority vote of the electorate is required to call a convention.

Historical types of ballot measures

Indirect initiated constitutional amendments

See also: Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

From 1912 to 1962, initiated constitutional amendments were indirect in Nevada. Voters made the process direct with the approval of Question 2 in 1962. The indirect process in Nevada required that an initiated amendment receive the legislature's and governor's approval or voter approval.

An indirect initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. There are two states – Massachusetts and Mississippi – that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments.

While a direct initiated constitutional amendment is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiated constitutional amendment is first presented to the state legislature, which has various options depending on the state.

Other types of ballot measures

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure