Advisory question

From Ballotpedia

Ballot Basics Amendments Citizen initiatives Indirect initiative Legislative referrals Statutes Citizen initiatives Indirect initiative Legislative referrals Advisory question Automatic ballot referral Bond issue Combined Commission referred Recall Veto referendum

Contents 1 Examples 2 Other types of ballot measures 3 Also see 4 References

An Advisory Question is a type of ballot measure in which citizens vote on a non-binding question. The largest difference between an advisory vote and any other type of ballot measure is that the outcome of the ballot question will not result in a new, changed, or rejected law or constitutional amendment. Rather, the advisory question symbolically makes heard the general opinion of the voting population in regard to the issue at hand.

Advisory questions are most commonly used at the local level, often to voice the opinions of region to higher levels of government. At the state level, while uncommon, advisory questions are generally placed on the ballot by the state legislature to assess public opinion. However, advisory questions can also be placed on the ballot by petition in some regions.

Examples

Some examples of state level advisory questions:

• Massachusetts Candidate Television and Radio Time Advisory, Question 6 (1990)
• Nevada Day Advisory, Question 4 (1998)
• Florida Federal Budget Advisory Question (2010)

Some examples of local level advisory questions:

• Longview City Red Light Camera Advisory Question (November 2011)
• Wheaton Grand Theatre Public Funding Advisory Question (April 2011)
• Dane County Marijuana Advisory Question (November 2010)

Other types of ballot measures

Other types of ballot measures that appear in multiple states are:

Some related terms:

Also see

• Forms of direct democracy in the American states

References

v • d • e Types of ballot measures General terms Initiated state statute • Initiated constitutional amendment • Indirect initiated state statute • Indirect initiative amendment • Indirect initiative • Legislative referral • Legislatively-referred state statute • Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment • Commission referral • Automatic ballot referral • Veto referendum • Constitutional convention • Bond issue • Recall • Advisory question State-specific terms Ballot question (Colorado) • Bond Propositions (California) • Initiatives to the Legislature (Washington) • Initiatives to the People (Washington) • Referendum (Colorado) • Legislative Referendum (Michigan) • Referendum Bill (Washington) • Statute affirmation (Nevada) • Referendum Election (Navajo Nation) Local terms City council ballot referral • Initiated city charter amendment • Initiated city ordinance • Grand jury • Redevelopment and Housing Authority Referendum (Virginia) • Reverse referendum (Minnesota) • Tax rate recall referendum (Kentucky)