Heading into the 2025-2026 election cycle, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures changed in nine states. Turnout on Nov.5, 2024, caused signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures to change in seven states. Two other states changed their requirements based on the number of registered voters. The average change was a 12.47% increase. 

Changes ranged from a 4.81% decrease in Washington to a 36.79% increase in Wyoming. In Wyoming, the signature requirement is based on total ballots cast at the last election. The last time it changed, following the 2022 election, Wyoming had the largest percentage decrease (-28.84%) based on the turnout at the midterm election. 

New Mexico had the largest increase in the raw number of signatures required, with the requirement for veto referendums increasing from 71,475 to 92,829, an increase of 21,354. The number of signatures needed to place a veto referendum on the ballot is equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast in the previous general election. 

Florida had the largest decrease in the raw number of signatures required, with the requirement for initiated constitutional amendments decreasing from 891,523 to 871,500, a decrease of 20,023. To place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election. 

Four states base their signature requirements on the number of ballots cast in a presidential or presidential-year gubernatorial election.

Four states base their signature requirements on the number of ballots cast in a general election, both presidential and midterm election years. Nevada bases its requirements on the last gubernatorial general election, which was 2022, so there is no change post-2024.

Four states base their signature requirements on the state’s population or the number of registered or active voters. Nebraska’s requirement is based on the number of registered voters when signatures are submitted; therefore, there is no change. In North Dakota, the signature requirement is based on the decennial census, so there is no post-2024 change.