Mali’s junta releases timeline for constitutional referendum
May 5, 2023 GMTBAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's military junta said Friday that it's organizing a referendum on a new constitution for June 18, a key step towards a return to constitutional rule and a new presidential election expected next year in the West African country.
Anti-abortion allies change tactics after post-Roe defeats
March 1, 2023 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans and their anti-abortion allies, who suffered a series of defeats in ballot questions in states across the political spectrum last year, are changing tactics as new legislative sessions and the new election season start.
S. Carolina House OKs referendum on state aid for private ed
February 28, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House moved to allow the repeal of a constitutional prohibition on funding private schools with public dollars as a Republican-backed voucher plan advances in the General Assembly.
Bill that could let Buckhead split from Atlanta advances
February 27, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia Senate committee has approved two bills that could allow the Buckhead neighborhood to secede from the city of Atlanta, the first time that an issue freighted with fears about crime and racial and economic division has moved forward in the General Assembly.
Indiana bill for switch to partisan school boards stalls
February 27, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A new push by Republican Indiana lawmakers to have local school board candidates run with political party affiliations has stalled for this year's legislative session, as they did not advance the proposal before a Monday deadline.
Sturgeon’s exit leaves Scottish independence path unclear
February 16, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Scotland’s independence movement needs a new leader — and a new plan.
Vote to block Georgia spaceport upheld by state’s high court
February 7, 2023 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia's highest court Tuesday upheld an election in which coastal residents voted overwhelmingly last year to block their county government from building a launchpad for blasting commercial rockets into space.
Indigenous senator quits party over Australian referendum
February 6, 2023 GMTCANBERRA, Australia: (AP) — An Indigenous senator in Australia quit the minor Greens party on Monday in a disagreement over a referendum to be held this year that would create an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
North Carolina Senate leader backs literacy test repeal
January 31, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's most powerful senator expressed interest on Tuesday in deleting a voter literacy test provision from the state constitution — a relic from the Jim Crow era that while unenforceable has never been removed.
EXPLAINER: What is an Australian Black Voice to Parliament?
January 26, 2023 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australians expect to vote this year in a referendum that would enshrine in the nation’s constitution a mechanism for Indigenous people to advise Parliament on policies that effect their lives known as the Voice.
Californians will vote on whether to overturn fast-food law
January 25, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A voter initiative that would overturn a California law aimed at raising wages and improving working conditions for more than a half-million fast food workers has qualified for next year's ballot, authorities said Tuesday.
Slovak vote on early election not binding due to low turnout
January 22, 2023 GMTBRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — A nationwide referendum in Slovakia on amending the country’s constitution to make possible an early election has failed to produce a legally binding result because the turnout was too low.
Slovakia holds referendum to enable snap election
January 21, 2023 GMTBRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia held a nationwide referendum Saturday on amending the country’s constitution to make possible an early election.
President Zuzana Caputova’s decided on the ballot last year after three opposition parties gathered over 380,000 signatures supporting the move.
Judge temporarily blocks California fast food wages law
December 31, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state of California from implementing a landmark new law aimed at raising wages and improving working conditions for fast food workers.
House approves referendum to ‘decolonize’ Puerto Rico
December 15, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that would allow Puerto Rico to hold the first-ever binding referendum on whether to become a state or gain some sort of independence, in a last-ditch effort that stands little chance of passing the Senate.
Cayman Islands to hold referendum on decriminalizing pot
December 8, 2022 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Lawmakers in the Cayman Islands have voted to hold a referendum on whether to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana and create a national lottery following a decades-long debate.
Referendum targeting foreign government influence approved
December 1, 2022 GMTA proposed referendum aimed at restricting foreign government influence on Maine elections has enough signatures to appear on the 2023 ballot, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Thursday.
The proposal was spurred by the costliest referendum in state history — a proposal to stop an electricity transmission line in western Maine — in which Canada's Hydro Quebec was one of the big donors.
Consumer-owned utility referendum certified for ballot
November 30, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The secretary of state's office has certified an adequate number of voter signatures for a referendum on a proposal to replace Maine’s privately owned electric utilities with a consumer-owned Pine Tree Power Company.
Maine Supreme Court upholds lease for $1B power line project
November 29, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s highest court on Tuesday upheld the lease for a small section of state land for a $1 billion electric transmission corridor, a victory for developers who hope to complete the project.
UK top court rules against Scottish independence vote plan
November 23, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government. The judgment is a setback for the Scottish government’s campaign to break away from the United Kingdom.
FACT FOCUS: Did late night Michigan voting lines show fraud?
November 11, 2022 GMTMichigan saw record turnout for a midterm election this week, with control of the governor’s office and referendums on abortion and voting rights in the balance.
Coyotes’ proposed new arena in Tempe sent to public vote
November 11, 2022 GMTTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — A proposed deal for the Arizona Coyotes' new arena will go to a public vote.
The Tempe city council voted unanimously on Thursday night to send a proposed arena and entertainment district to referendum in May.
Montana Republicans dominate as Zinke, Rosendale prevail
November 10, 2022 GMTBILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republicans tightened their control in Montana, picking up a newly created U.S. House seat in the midterm election as former Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke narrowly captured the state’s western district and incumbent Matt Rosendale rolled over his opponents in the east.
Montana voters reject ‘born alive’ abortion referendum
November 10, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana voters have rejected a legislative referendum that raised the prospect of criminal charges for health care providers unless they take “all medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life” of an infant born alive, including after an attempted abortion.
Israeli election hopefuls: A look at the main contenders
November 1, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's election on Tuesday, the country's fifth since 2019, largely pits familiar faces against one another in a tight race. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now the opposition leader, is hoping to return to power and replace his main rival, interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Group that wants to oust private utilities submits petitions
October 31, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine. (AP) — Advocates of replacing Maine's privately owned electric utilities with a consumer-owned Pine Tree Power Company on Monday submitted signatures to force a statewide vote.
If certified, the petitions would put the proposal to oust Central Maine Power and Versant Power on the referendum ballot next year.
Obama, campaigning in Georgia, warns of threats to democracy
October 29, 2022 GMTCOLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail Friday in Georgia, using his first stop on a multi-state tour to frame the 2022 midterm elections as a referendum on democracy and to urge voters not to see Republicans as an answer to their economic woes.
EXPLAINER: Israeli election could yield familiar outcome
October 27, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is holding its fifth national election in under four years, and once again the race is shaping up as a referendum on former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fitness to rule.
Judge rejects bid to resume construction on $1B power line
October 24, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A judge declined a request by developers of a $1 billion power line to resume construction, keeping the project on hold until a judge's decision next year on the constitutionality of a referendum that halted the project.
For Biden and Trump, 2022 is 2020 sequel — and 2024 preview?
October 17, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race — and a potential preview of the next one.
Donald Trump, who refused to exit the stage after his defeat and continues to rally his supporters with lies about voter fraud, has spent months raging against Joe Biden, reshaping down-ballot campaigns that normally function as a straightforward referendum on the incumbent president.
UK Supreme Court hears case for Scottish independence vote
October 11, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Judges at the U.K.'s highest court began hearing evidence Tuesday on whether Scotland's Parliament can legislate to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a new independence vote in October 2023, despite opposition from the Conservative U.K.
Scottish leader: Independence vote key, whatever court says
October 9, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The leader of the Scottish government said Sunday that she will push on with her campaign to take Scotland out of the United Kingdom, even if she loses a Supreme Court case seeking authorization to call a new independence referendum.
Wisconsin Democrats put abortion in spotlight
October 4, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Legislature took mere seconds on Tuesday to reject Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' call to create a way for voters to get a chance to repeal the state's 1849 abortion ban, even as Republican U.S.
Catalans commemorate 5th anniversary of failed breakaway
October 1, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Thousands of Catalans gathered in Barcelona on Saturday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of an independence referendum that marked the high point of their movement to break away from the rest of Spain.
Live Updates: Russia-Ukraine War
September 28, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — KYIV, Ukraine — The governor of Ukraine's Luhansk region says the number of local voters cited by pro-Russia officials as having participated in a “referendum” on living under Russian rule is inconsistent with the number of people residing in the area after seven months of war.
Kremlin announces vote, paves way to annex part of Ukraine
September 27, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Kremlin paved the way Tuesday to annex more of Ukraine and escalate the war by claiming that residents of a large swath overwhelmingly supported joining with Russia in stage-managed referendums the U.S.
Live Updates: Russia-Ukraine War
September 27, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine — Pro-Moscow officials say residents in one of the four occupied areas of Ukraine voted to join Russia in Kremlin-orchestrated referendums.
According to Russia-installed election officials in Zaporizhzhia, 93.11% of the ballots cast in the vote were in support of the annexation.
Ukrainians scared by Russia’s preordained referendums
September 26, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — After seven months of war, many Ukrainians fear even more suffering and political repression as referendums orchestrated by the Kremlin portend Russia’s imminent annexation of four occupied regions.
Occupied Ukraine holds Kremlin-staged vote on joining Russia
September 23, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Kremlin-orchestrated referendum got underway Friday in occupied regions of Ukraine that sought to make them part of Russia, with some officials carrying ballots to apartment blocks accompanied by gun-toting police.
Montana voters to decide on ‘born alive’ abortion bill
September 22, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — A referendum on the Montana ballot in November raises the prospect of criminal charges for health care providers unless they take “all medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life” of an infant born alive, including after an attempted abortion.
EXPLAINER: What’s behind referendums in occupied Ukraine?
September 22, 2022 GMTFour occupied regions in Ukraine are set to start voting Friday in Kremlin-engineered referendums on whether to become part of Russia, setting the stage for Moscow to annex the areas in a sharp escalation of the nearly seven-month war.
GOP nominee for Nevada gov. says he’ll fight US abortion ban
September 16, 2022 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — The GOP's nominee for Nevada governor said Thursday he would fight against a national abortion ban if Congress were to pass one.
“It’s the vote of the people within the state of Nevada, and I will support that,” Joe Lombardo, who is generally anti-abortion, told reporters while campaigning in the state with Virginia Gov.
Restaurants move to stop new California fast food worker law
September 8, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Restaurant owners moved Wednesday to at least temporarily block a nation-leading new California law giving more power to fast food workers.
The owners want the state's voters to ultimately decide the law's fate.
Chile’s move to replace dictatorship constitution faces test
September 2, 2022 GMTSANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Two years ago, the vast majority of Chileans reached a conclusion: The constitution needs to change.
Now, as voters prepare for a referendum Sunday, many Chileans think the proposed new charter will be rejected amid frustration over the process, questions about its content and what supporters say is a surge in fake news that has confused citizens about what is actually in the document.
San Marino legalizes abortion, year after voters gave OK
September 1, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Advocates for abortion rights in San Marino expressed satisfaction Thursday that lawmakers voted to legalize abortion in the tiny republic, one of the last European states to have had the procedure outlawed under all circumstances.
Maine supreme court breathes new life into power project
August 30, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s highest court on Tuesday breathed new life into a $1 billion transmission line to serve as conduit for Canadian hydropower, ruling there was merit in developers’ claims that a referendum rebuking the project was unconstitutional.
Kansas recount confirms results in favor of abortion rights
August 24, 2022 GMTOLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A decisive statewide vote in favor of abortion rights in traditionally conservative Kansas was confirmed with a partial hand recount, with fewer than 100 votes changing after the last county reported results Sunday.
Swiss gov’t warns about possible lag in fighter jet purchase
August 24, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's defense department said Wednesday that any delay to the planned multibillion-dollar acquisition of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets would have “grave consequences” for Swiss security, after opponents succeeded in a campaign to put the purchase to a referendum.
Fate of Ukrainian lands held by Russia still seems unclear
August 22, 2022 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — According to Russian state TV, the future of the Ukrainian regions captured by Moscow's forces is all but decided: Referendums on becoming part of Russia will soon take place there, and the joyful residents who were abandoned by Kyiv will be able to prosper in peace.
Arizona Supreme Court says voters can’t repeal tax cuts
August 20, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that tax cuts or increases enacted by the Legislature can never be blocked by opponents using the state constitution's referendum power, with the rare exception of a tax that funds a completely new state department.
Casino referendum won’t be on Richmond ballots in November
August 17, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Richmond voters will not be weighing in again this fall on whether to approve a casino in the city.
At the request of city officials, a Richmond Circuit Court judge has signed an order to remove the casino referendum question from local ballots in this year’s election, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday.
Court: Proposed judicial election changes unconstitutional
August 12, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a proposal to change the way state Supreme Court justices are elected is unconstitutional and cannot appear on the November ballot.
What to watch in Wis., 3 other states in Tuesday’s primaries
August 8, 2022 GMTThe Republican matchup in the Wisconsin governor's race on Tuesday features competing candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump and his estranged vice president, Mike Pence.
Georgia county files suit to force land sale for spaceport
July 29, 2022 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia county has filed a lawsuit seeking to force a company to sell land on which the county has long planned to build a launchpad for commercial rockets.
Commissioners in coastal Camden County said in a statement Thursday that Union Carbide Co.'s refusal to sell the 4,000 acre (1,600 hectare) property, if allowed to stand, “will cause the County the loss of the Spaceport Project as well as an enormous financial loss in excess of $11 million.”
New constitution gives some Tunisians hope, others concern
July 29, 2022 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisian voters have approved a referendum on a new constitution that gives more powers to the country's president. It's a step that brings hope to many in the struggling North African nation, but critics warn it could return Tunisia to autocracy and say low turnout marred the vote's legitimacy.
MN Chippewa Tribe votes to end blood requirement for members
July 27, 2022 GMTDULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe has voted to remove a decades-old requirement that members have a minimum of 25% Chippewa blood.
Officials say 65% of voters on an advisory referendum say the blood quantum requirement should be removed from membership in the six-reservation tribe.
Tunisians vote in favor of new constitution, officials say
July 26, 2022 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisians voted in favor of a new constitution that critics fear could entrench efforts by the president to consolidate power, according to official preliminary results late Tuesday.
Tunisians vote on proposal to give president more power
July 25, 2022 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisians are voting Monday for a controversial new constitution put forward by President Kais Saied that critics say will formalize his power grab and reverse hard-won democratic gains in the North African nation.
UK Supreme Court to hear Scottish independence case in Oct
July 21, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court said Thursday it will hold hearings in October on whether Scotland can call an independence referendum without the consent of the British government.
Pro-independence Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends to hold a plebiscite on secession on Oct.