This page lists state ballot measures in the United States in 1970 in the United States by state. Measures are included whether they are initiated by a state legislature or by the citizens of said state. Subheadings are included under a state if there was a measure that was held on a different date with the subheading being the date of the ballot measures. Results for each measure are included the "Results" heading and not under headings for each state with only whether they passed or not being included.
Several states notably held measures about whether to lower the voting age prior to the 26th Amendment. Measures to lower the voting age to 19 years old were held in Montana, New Jersey, and Oregon among others. States were measures were held to lower the voting age to 18 were in Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, and Hawaii.
According to Ballotpedia the first statewide referendum on abortion in the United States occurred that year in Washington state. In Massachusetts, there was a ballot measure which was in the form of an advisory question which asked voters about which course of action should be taken with the Vietnam War with 3 different answers being offered.
Results StateOriginMeasureYesNoAlaskaLegislatureAmendment 153.96% 36,59046.04% 31,216ConnecticutQuestion 278.36% 471,51621.64% 130,178Question 347.79% 307,53052.21% 336,012FloridaAmendment 139.95% 501,76460.05% 754,282HawaiiProposition 349.16% 95,26550.84% 98,502MassachusettsQuestion 357.59% 903,89542.41% 665,573MontanaAmendment 351.68% 109,22748.32% 102,110New JerseyPublic Question #142.71% 728,73157.29% 977,531OregonMeasure 537.51% 202,01862.49% 336,527WashingtonReferendum 2056.49% 599,95943.51% 462,174
Alaska
Amendment 1, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would have lowered the voting age to 18 years old for state and local elections. This measure passed.
Connecticut
Question 2, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that asked whether to lower the minimum age to hold a state office to 21 years (excluding the governor and lieutenant governor). Question 3, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that asked whether to lower the voting age to 18 years old in the state.
Florida
Amendment 1, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that if passed would have lowered the voting age to 18 years old or be made as electors and required that one must have residency for 6 months before being able to vote. This measure failed.
Hawaii
Proposition 3, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would have lowered the voting age from 20 to 18 years old in Hawaii. This measure failed.
Massachusetts
Question 3, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that if passed would lower the voting age in state elections to 19 years old. This measure passed.
Question 5, a legislatively-referred advisory question asking about the Vietnam War. There were 3 different answers to it: "win a military victory", "Withdraw on a planned schedule" or "Withdraw immediately". Of the options listed, the 2nd answer "Withdraw on a planned schedule" passed and got a majority of the vote.
Montana
Amendment 3, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that asked whether to lower the voting age from 21 to 19. This amendment passed.
New Jersey
Public Question #1, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that asked whether or not to lower the voting age from 21 to 19 years old. This measure failed.
Oregon
Measure 5, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would have lowered the voting age from 21 to 19 if passed. This measure failed.
Washington
Referendum 20, a legislatively-referred amendment that if passed would allow for an aborition "within the 'four lunar months after conception'". A woman who was married had to get the consent of her husband and if a female was under 18 they would need parental permission. This measure passed.
References