Explainer: What's a Prop?

What’s a proposition?

• Propositions, or props, are put on ballots to propose enacting a new law, constitutional amendment, or to repeal existing ones. They’re placed on election ballots for voters to approve or reject.
• There are various kinds of props. Some are initiatives that were placed on the ballot by petition. Only 24 states have the initiative process. Of these 24 states, 18 allow initiatives to propose constitutional amendments, while 21 allow initiatives to propose statutes. Most are direct initiatives, which are placed on the ballot for a vote of the people once a sufficient number of signatures are collected. In some cases, indirect initiatives will go right to the legislature. 
• A referendum is a proposal to repeal a law that the legislature previously enacted. Referendums are relatively rare in comparison to initiatives. They are also put on the ballot by citizen petition. 
• A legislative proposition is placed on the ballot by the legislature and permitted by all states. Legislative props, also known as legislative measures, are the most common prop and are twice as likely to be approved than initiatives and referendums. 
• Props only exist at the state and local levels and are utilized much more frequently during county, city, and town elections than statewide ones. 

Examples

California’s Proposition 12

• California’s Prop 12, the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, was put on the ballot in 2018 and was overwhelmingly approved by voters. The initiative establishes minimum requirements for confining calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens – and bans the sale of meat and eggs from animals confined in areas below the minimum threshold. 
• Prop 12 is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court after the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation argued that it violates the Constitution’s “dormant commerce clause” by placing an unreasonable burden on interstate trade. The Supreme Court will release a decision next summer regarding the law's constitutionality. 

Arizona’s Proposition 309

• Arizona’s Prop 309 is on the ballot this year and regards voter identification requirements for mail-in ballots and in-person voting measures. If the prop passes, the new law would require voters to provide a photo ID issued by Arizona State, the U.S. government, or a tribal government when voting in person. 
• Photo identification is not currently required to receive a ballot in person if an individual has two other forms of written identification, like a birth certificate or social security number. 

Dallas’ Proposition A

• Prop A on Dallas’ midterm ballot proposes using hotel tax to rebuild a new convention center and rehabilitate some buildings at Fair Park. Hotel taxes will be raised by 2% if the prop passes, generating about $1.5 billion over 30 years, repaying the bonds to fund the project. 
• The convention center will be rebuilt to improve walkability and accessibility and will connect to the Cedars neighborhood while encouraging development around the center. Fair Park First, the nonprofit in charge of maintaining Fair Park and its buildings, would be given some financial relief with this proposition. 

What’s on your ballot?

• Want to know what propositions will be on your ballot on Nov. 5th? Check out Vote 411’s voter guide. By entering your address, you can see your ballots’ propositions, races, and candidates. 
• Find your personalized ballot here.

Do you know what propositions are on your ballot?