Accessible Language Statutory Ballot Title Requirements

Plain English: This amendment gives the Title Board a list of specific guidelines to follow when deciding if an initiative ballot title is written in clear, accessible language.

• The Title Board can now check if a ballot title avoids using legal or technical words whenever possible.
• Titles must clearly state the main change in law or policy that voters are being asked about.
• Ballot titles should not use confusing phrases like double negatives, unnecessary extra details, or overly complex wording.
• The order of information on the ballot title must be logical so voters easily understand what a 'yes' or 'no' vote means.

• This amendment only says the Title Board may consider these factors; it does not force them to reject titles that fail every single point.
• The text adds new rules but does not explain how strictly each rule must be followed in practice.

Plain English: This amendment updates the bill to include a specific section of state law regarding ballot titles while removing references to other sections.

• Adds reference to subsection (3)(h) as part of the required legal standards for ballot titles.
• Removes the previous ending punctuation that stopped before including subsection (3)(h).
• Deletes a separate mention of subsection (3)(h) from later in the text since it is now included earlier.

• The amendment only lists section numbers without explaining what those sections actually say or require.
• It removes reference to subsection (3)(e.5), but does not explain why that change was made or if the content of that section is still relevant.

Plain English: This amendment would require that official ballot titles for citizen initiatives be fair and impartial.

• Adds a rule stating that ballot titles must be 'fair and impartial'.
• Updates the list of requirements on page 3 to include this new standard.
• Updates the same requirement again on page 6.

• The amendment did not pass, so these changes are not part of the final law.
• The text does not define exactly what 'fair and impartial' means in practice.

Plain English: This amendment would let the people proposing a ballot measure submit their own draft title, which officials must use unless they need to change it for legal reasons.

• Allows supporters of an initiative petition to send a draft ballot title before the official meeting.
• Requires the Title Board to treat this submitted draft as acceptable by default.
• Limits changes made by the board only to what is needed to follow state laws and rules.

• The amendment text does not explain exactly which specific legal duties might force the board to change the title language.
• This version of the bill was voted down (lost) in committee, so it did not become law.

Plain English: This amendment would remove several specific sections of the bill that deal with how ballot titles are written.

• It deletes instructions on pages 2, 6, and 7 of the original bill text.
• It removes a list of rules labeled (3)(f), (3)(g)(I), and (3)(e) from the committee report.

• The amendment only lists which lines to delete without explaining what those deleted words said or why they were removed.
• Because the original text of the bill is not provided, it is impossible to explain exactly what rules about ballot titles are being taken away.

Plain English: This amendment would require official ballot titles to include all important financial and legal effects while banning language that tries to persuade voters or use strong emotions.

• Ballot titles must not leave out any major money, rule-making, or legal results of the proposed law.
• Ballot titles are forbidden from using words meant to convince people to vote a certain way.

• The amendment text does not define exactly what counts as 'material' consequences or specific examples of persuasive language.
• This amendment was marked as lost, meaning it did not pass and these changes were not made to the bill.

Plain English: This amendment would require ballot titles to be written for the general public while ensuring they remain neutral and include important results of the measure.

• Ballot titles must now clearly explain material consequences of a proposed law without leaving them out.
• The rules state that making language accessible cannot come at the cost of losing neutrality in how the title is written.

• This amendment was voted down and did not pass, so these changes are not part of the final law.
• The text does not define exactly what counts as a 'material consequence' or provide examples of neutral language.