Types of ballot measures in Alaska


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 Alaska, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Alaska 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 Alaska.

The types of state ballot measures in Alaska are:

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In Alaska, citizens have the power to initiate state statutes and veto referendums. In 1956, the initiative and referendum process was adopted when voters approved the state constitution. This state constitution went into effect when Alaska became a state in 1959.

Indirect initiated state statutes

See also: Indirect 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 Alaska, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last general election. Furthermore, proponents need to collect signatures in each of three-fourths (30) of Alaska's 40 state House districts. Signatures from each of the districts need to equal 7% of the districtwide vote in the last general election.

If the lieutenant governor certifies enough signatures as valid, the Alaska State Legislature can approve the indirect initiative or equivalent legislation, keeping the measure off the ballot. Otherwise, the initiative is certified to appear on the ballot for the first statewide election 120 days after the legislature's adjournment. 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 Alaska, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last general election. Furthermore, proponents need to collect signatures in each of three-fourths (30) of Alaska's 40 state House districts. Signatures from each of the districts need to equal 7% of the districtwide vote in the last general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber of the Alaska State Legislature during one legislative session to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 27 votes in the Alaska House of Representatives and 14 votes in the Alaska State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred bond measures

See also: Legislatively referred bond measure

In Alaska, voter approval is required for state bond issues. Exceptions are made for bond issues for capital improvements, housing loans for veterans, or bond issues made for the purpose of "repelling invasion, suppressing insurrection, defending the State in war, meeting natural disasters, or redeeming indebtedness outstanding at the time this constitution becomes effective." State bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Alaska State Legislature to place a bond issue on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 21 votes in the Alaska House of Representatives and 11 votes in the Alaska State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

Advisory questions

See also: Advisory question

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Alaska State Legislature to place an advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 21 votes in the Alaska House of Representatives and 11 votes in the Alaska State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Section 3 of Article 13 of the Alaska Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 10 years starting in 1970. Alaska is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Alaska	10 years	2022	2032

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