Direct Democracy & Ballot Initiatives

City Residents Seek Public Vote on City's Surveillance Tools

After the city council approved a $2.1 million contract with Flock Safety for license-plate readers, cameras and other surveillance tools, more than 50 residents testified about privacy, data security, potential police misuse and warrantless tracking. The council approved the contract 6–4, despite the opposition. Residents then organized the “Get the Flock Out” campaign, held rallies, canvassed across the city and collected approximately 1,600 signatures toward a ballot initiative that would void the contract and prohibit comparable third-party mass-surveillance systems.

Civil Liberties & Human Dignity Coalition Building/Community Organizing Public Testimony/Written Comments Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

The Verge • Huntington, WV • Oct 26, 2026

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Citizens Group Collecting Petition Signatures for Ballot Measure to Block Global AI Data Center

County residents organized into a group after county commissioners approved a proposed 41-acre Global AI data center nearby. Following months of organizing and public testimony, the group began collecting signatures for two measures: a referendum that would ask voters to reconsider the project’s approval and an initiative requiring voter approval before future data centers receive occupancy permits. Each petition needs 9,103 valid signatures to reach the ballot.

Animals, Natural Resources & Environment Coalition Building/Community Organizing Public Testimony/Written Comments Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

Colorado Newsline • CO • Sep 29, 2026

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Democracy Advocates Collect over 350,000 Signatures to Place Constitutional Amendment on Ballot Making Popular Initiatives a Fundamental Right

A citizen campaign qualified a proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot after organizing, collecting signatures, rallying and defending their proposals against legal challenges.

Democracy & Elections/Voting Coalition Building/Community Organizing Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

Missouri Independent • MO • Sep 3, 2026

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Local Woman Continues Push to Curb Town Spending, Promote Transparency

After several years of challenging what she considers excessive municipal spending, a town resident collected enough signatures for a proposed ordinance governing how the Maine town raises and spends money. Working with the Citizen Taxpayer Committee and an attorney, the proposed limiting annual tax increases, capping certain reserves and requiring more information about how proposed spending would affect property taxes. The ordinance would also move major spending decisions to secret ballots and require voter approval for expenditures above $175,000. Carothers argues that the changes would allow more residents to participate and make informed decisions, rather than leaving spending votes to the approximately 100 people who attended the 2026 open town meeting. Municipal budget officials agree that clearer reserve policies may be useful but warn that rigid limits could interfere with emergency purchases, debt payments and the town’s ability to secure matching state or federal funds.

Public Finance Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

centralmaine.com • Belgrade, ME • Jul 6, 2026

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