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Four states had statewide ballot measures that concerned some aspect of ethics, campaign contributions, or lobbying on the November 2016 ballot. Three passed; one, in Washington State, failed.

Missouri

Voters approved the “Missouri Campaign Contribution Reform Initiative,” a constitutional amendment capping contributions to state office candidates at $2,600, and contributions to parties at $25,000 per election.  The measure also bans corporate contributions to candidates and requires out-of-state PACs to register in the state in order to contribute to Missouri candidates.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island voters amended the existing ethics provisions in the state constitution to give the Ethics Commission the power to prosecute violations by office holders.  Sanctions would be appealable to a court, and the Ethics Commission now is required to have a 2/3 vote to approve new rules or regulations.

South Dakota

Voters in South Dakota approved the “South Dakota Government Accountability and Anti-Corruption Act,” which creates an Ethics Commission and makes extensive changes to the state’s laws.  Among other things, the act lowers contribution limits, except for the Governor’s Office, which remains at $4,000 per calendar year.  Statewide office limits on contributions from persons are lowered to $2,000 for Attorney General or Lieutenant Governor, $1,000 for other statewide offices, and $750 for legislative or county offices.  The measure increases the number of campaign reports required to be filed and provides for public financing of campaigns for participating candidates.  The act also caps gifts from lobbyists to state officials and employees at $100 per calendar year, requires electronic registration for lobbyists, and expands the state’s revolving-door provisions to two years and to high-level employees.  (Some Provisions not effective until 1/1/18, notably electronic and additional campaign and lobby filings.)

Washington State

Voters rejected a sweeping measure that would have created public financing, limited campaign contributions from lobbyists and procurement contractors, and expanded revolving-door provisions.

For more information, please contact one of our political law attorneys.