The number of certified statewide ballot measures for both 2025 and 2026 is trending above average compared to previous election cycles as of April 15.
2025 ballot measures
For 2025, seven statewide ballot measures have been certified in four states—Louisiana, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin. This is one more than the average of six certified measures at this point in the election cycle across odd-numbered years since 2010. As of April 15, voters have decided on five of those ballot measures.
- On March 29, four constitutional amendments were rejected in Louisiana.
- On April 1, one constitutional amendment was approved in Wisconsin.
- The next ballot measure election is May 6 in Ohio.
- And one ballot measure was certified for the ballot in Washington for Nov. 4, 2025. The Washington State Legislature referred the measure, related to investing the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Fund, on April 11.
The following heatmap shows the number of statewide ballot measures certified monthly from 2012 to 2026, grouped by two-year election cycles leading up to even-numbered general election years. Each row includes certifications from the odd- and even-numbered years leading up to that election. The bottom row displays the monthly averages across all years.
2026 ballot measures
For 2026, 29 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 20 states. Twenty-nine is eight more than the average of 21 for this point in an even-numbered-year election cycle since 2010.
In the past two weeks, six new ballot measures were certified in four states for elections in 2026.
- Arkansas Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment
- Arkansas Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment
- Hawaii Increase Time for Senate to Act on Judicial Appointments Amendment
- Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities Vacancies Amendment
- North Dakota 60% Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Measure
- North Dakota State Legislative Term Limits Amendment
The following chart shows the number of ballot measures certified each week of an odd-numbered year:
Signature deadlines for 2025 and 2026
Signatures were verified for two indirect initiatives in Maine, which would appear on the ballot for Nov. 4, 2025. In Nevada, signatures were verified for one indirect initiative, which would appear on the ballot in 2026. As these citizen-initiated measures are indirect, the legislature has the option to pass them outright. Otherwise, voters will decide these ballot initiatives.
- Maine Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access Initiative (2025)
- Maine Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Dropbox Rules Initiative (2025)
- Nevada Exempt School Teachers from Public Employee Strike Ban Initiative (2026)
The most recent signature deadline for citizen-initiated ballot measures was January 23, 2025, in Maine. Signatures were submitted for the two indirect initiatives.
The next signature deadlines are July 2, 2025, in Ohio and July 3, 2025, in Washington for initiatives intended for the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot.
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