As of January 21, 2021, nine statewide ballot measures were certified for the 2021 ballot in three states. Seven bond questions are certified for the March 2 ballot in Rhode Island. One bond issue is certified for the Nov. 2 ballot in Colorado. A constitutional amendment concerning redistricting is certified for the Nov. 2 ballot in New York.
Four of the 26 states with a process for citizen-initiated measures allow for ballot initiatives or veto referendums on ballots for elections in odd-numbered years: Colorado, Maine, Ohio, and Washington. Legislatively referred measures can also go on the ballot in these states in 2021. Other states that frequently feature statewide measures referred to the ballot by the legislature in odd-numbered years include Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The signature deadline for Maine ballot measures was January 21, 2021. Signatures were filed for an initiative to require a two-thirds vote of each state legislative chamber to approve high-impact electric transmission lines. On January 21, 2021, the campaign No CMP Corridor reported filing more than 100,000 signatures. At least 63,067 of the signatures need to be deemed valid for certification.
The signature deadline for Ohio initiated constitutional amendments is June 30, 2021. The deadline for Washington Initiatives to the People is July 2, 2021. The deadline for Colorado ballot measures is August 2, 2021. Citizens in these states may circulate petitions for a veto referendum, for which signatures are due 90 days after the state legislature’s adjournment.
From 2011 through 2019, the average number of statewide measures certified for odd-year ballots was 31. On average, three measures had been certified for the odd-year ballots by the end of January from 2011 through 2019.
In 2019, 36 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in eight states. In 2017, there were 27 total statewide measures certified for the ballot. In 2015, there were 28 total statewide measures certified for the ballot.
Additional reading: