ICYMI: Top stories of the week

Utah constitutional amendment would give Legislature authority to repeal initiatives, prohibit foreign influence in ballot measure elections

The Utah Legislature passed a constitutional amendment on Aug. 21 that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. If approved by voters, the proposed amendment would give the Legislature explicit power to amend or repeal voter-approved ballot initiatives. It would also ban foreign individuals, entities, or governments from influencing, supporting, or opposing initiatives and referendums.

Nebraskans to vote on competing abortion ballot initiatives in November

Voters in Nebraska will decide on two competing abortion-related ballot measures this year. The Right to Abortion Initiative would create a state constitutional right to abortion. The Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester Initiative would prohibit abortion in the second and third trimesters, with certain exceptions for medical emergencies or when a pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest.

Nebraska’s competing measures are notable for three key reasons.

1. This will be the first time in U.S. history that voters will decide on competing abortion-related measures on the same ballot.
2. This is the first time Nebraska voters will decide on abortion-related ballot measures.
3. This will be the first instance of competing ballot initiatives in Nebraska’s history.

The Nebraska Constitution states, “If conflicting measures submitted to the people at the same election be approved, the one receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall thereby become law as to all conflicting provisions.” State law authorizes the governor to determine what provisions conflict.

Ranked-choice voting roundup: ballot measure records and legislation reviews

The Aug. 29 Daily Brew featured a review of ranked-choice voting ballot measures and legislation. Five states—Alaska, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and Oregon—have certified ballot measures for Nov. 5 related to adopting, repealing, or pre-empting ranked-choice voting (RCV). This is the highest number of RCV-related statewide ballot measures on the ballot in any year.

In addition, state legislatures have considered 126 bills related to RCV this year. Forty-four of these bills would either prohibit RCV or repeal existing RCV statutes. Sixty-three would require or allow RCV systems. Six would amend existing laws related to RCV, and seven bills would commission studies on RCV.

Wyoming had the highest percentage of legislative incumbents in contested primaries this year

Of the 44 states holding legislative elections this year, Wyoming had the highest percentage of legislative incumbents in contested primaries.

This is also the first year since 2010 that a state had over 65% of its incumbents in contested primaries. Of the 40 incumbents in contested primaries in the state’s Aug. 20 primaries, 13 Republican members of the state House lost.