Nevada
The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled to keep two development ballot measures off of the Las Vegas city ballot. The local Culinary union sponsored two measures that would have allowed citizens to vote on city taxpayer funded development. The Court ruled that the city erred in not putting the measures on the ballot, but that the measures themselves were deficient. 14,000 residents had signed petitions to vote on the matters.
With time running out, a group backed by the Culinary Workers Union is again asking the Nevada Supreme Court to order two anti-redevelopment measures to be placed on the June 2 municipal ballot.
The Blockbuster Democracy Blog tells us how NOT to reform Nevada’s ballot initiative process. A bill moving through the state legislature would require the signatures of 10% of voters in all 42 assembly districts. Joe Matthews points out that “That would effectively end ballot initiatives in the state. Such a process would be far too expensive and time-consuming for anyone but the wealthiest of the wealthy.”
A union that is sponsoring two Las Vegas ballot measures has asked the state Supreme Court to hear its case to place the measures on the June ballot. The city council had refused to put the measures on the ballot, claiming they were unconstitutional. A county judge agreed with the council. The measures aim to require a vote on taxpayer funded development projects and block a proposed city hall project.
Ballots for the June 2 Las Vegas city election are already being printed, but a fight over including two measures on those ballots is still going on.
On Friday, the Culinary union appealed a ruling keeping the measures off the ballot and asked for a fast-track hearing by the Nevada Supreme Court, since Election Day isn’t far away and early voting starts May 16.
A Las Vegas district court judge ruled Friday that city residents would not get a chance to vote on two measures that call into question nearly $100 million in redevelopment borrowing. Over 14,000 voters had signed petitions to put the measures on the ballot. After the ruling, city mayor Oscar Goodman told reporters “I’ve never been a good winner” and said the Culinary union that had backed the measures were “not good citizens.” Initative proponents have vowed to appeal to the state supreme court.
The battle over two ballot measures dealing with the city’s redevelopment authority and a new city hall went the Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday. City officials have refused to place the measures on the ballot because they claim they are unconstitutional. The Culinary Union, sponsor of the two initiatives, filed suit arguing that the city does not have the authority to hold the measures off the ballot. The court is expected to rule by April 22.
Contrary to what Mayor Oscar Goodman and his loyal followers on the Las Vegas City Council might believe, they do not enjoy unlimited power — not in matters affecting city policy and downtown redevelopment, and certainly not in quashing the referendum process to sabotage an election.
Filing an initiative is a very simple process in Nevada.
Prior to circulating a petition for signatures, a copy of the petition must be
filed with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State reviews the petition
for acceptable format – but does not review or approve the legality of
the language contained on the petition. Proponents are advised to
obtain their own legal counsel to review the measure’s language and
content.
Date Initiative language can be submitted: For
amendments, no sooner than early September 2009 for 2010 ballot. For
statutes, no sooner than early January 2009 for 2010 ballot.
Signatures are tied to vote of which office: Votes cast in the last general
election.
Next general election: 2010
Votes cast in last general election: 970,020
You have full Initiative & Referendum rights. Citizens can pass laws they write or suspend a statute passed by the Legislature by collecting enough petition signatures to place the statute on the statewide ballot for a decision by the voters. Voters can also initiate constitutional amendments by Initiative.
Coalition for an Open & Accessible Initiative Process:
In 1905, an amendment giving voters the power of referendum was
approved by the Nevada legislature and ratified by the voters by a
margin of five to one.
A South Dakota House committee has endorsed a measure intended to make more organizations report where they get the money they use to influence the outcome of public votes on ballot measures.
The State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to approve HB1233, which says any organization that spends more than half its annual revenue to influence a ballot measure must file a campaign finance report disclosing where it got the money…. (READ MORE)
Case | Residency | Registration | Pay-Per-Signature | Distribution |
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