In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.
For 2024, 52 statewide measures have been certified in 23 states. That’s four more measures than the average number certified at this point from 2010 to 2022.
Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity.
Three ballot measures were certified for elections in 2024.
- California Proposition 1, Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure (March 2024)
- Colorado Property Tax Revenue Cap Initiative (2024)
- Nebraska Education Scholarships Tax Credit Referendum (2024)
There are no more potential citizen-initiated ballot measures for 2023. Seven of the 41 state ballot measures in 2023 are ballot initiatives—six are initiated statutes, and one is an initiated constitutional amendment. Seven is the largest number of citizen-initiated ballot measures during an odd-numbered year since 2011 when there were 12.
The other 34 measures are legislative referrals—measures that legislatures voted to put on the ballot. In 2021, there were 35 legislative referrals on the ballot.
Unlike the odd-numbered years from 2013 to 2021, there will be no advisory questions on the ballot in Washington. On April 20, 2023, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill eliminating the mandatory advisory votes on bills to increase taxes. An average of five advisory votes appeared on the ballot for each odd-numbered year in Washington from 2013 to 2021.
From 2010 to 2022, the average number of statewide ballot measures certified in an even-numbered year was 164. By this time in the election cycle from 2010 through 2022, an average of 48 statewide measures had been certified for the following year’s ballot.
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