Can Texas residents place a statewide referendum on the ballot?
By Georgie London
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NO
Texas does not give citizens the power of legislative initiative or referendum.
The initiative process allows citizens to place proposed statutes and constitutional amendments on ballots without involving state legislators in 24 states.
Another process is the popular referendum. Twenty-three states have this process, which allows voters to approve or repeal legislative acts.
However, rules for petition and referendum vary at the local level.
Counties only have the powers given to them by the state.
Only home rule cities, municipalities with a charter, have the power of referendum and initiative.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Ballotpedia States without initiative or referendum
National Conference of State Legislature Initiative and Referendum Processes
Randall H. Erban, law professor at the University of Texas at Austin Email conversation
Texas Municipal League Local Government in Texas
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