Voters in nine states will decide on 30 statewide ballot measures in 2025, which is below the average (33) for odd-numbered years over the past decade. Six measures were decided earlier in the year in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Voters in six states—California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington—will decide on the remaining 24 measures on Nov. 4
Between 2011 and 2023, odd-year ballots featured an average of 33 state ballot measures.
The lower-than-average total in 2025 is due to fewer citizen-initiated ballot measures, rather than legislative referrals. In 2025, two of the ballot measures, both in Maine, are citizen-initiated, compared to an average of five. The number of citizen-initiated measures during this period ranged from two in 2019 and 2025 to 12 in 2011. Legislatures referred the other 28 ballot measures in 2025, which matches the average. The number of legislative referrals during this period ranged from 22 in 2011 to 35 in 2021.
Texas has the most ballot measures of the nine states with statewide ballot measures in 2025. The 17 constitutional amendments on the Texas ballot account for 57% of the 30 statewide ballot measures. Over the past decade, Texas voters decided an average of nine ballot measures in odd-numbered years, representing about 27% of measures decided per year. Louisiana had the second most at four, which were decided on March 29, 2025.
Because odd-numbered years feature fewer ballot measures than even-numbered years, when most states hold general elections for state offices, there are also fewer policy groupings. One topic spanning multiple states, however, is election and voting policy, with four ballot measures.
One—Wisconsin Question 1—was decided on April 1, while the other three will be decided on November 4.
Wisconsin Question 1 added a voter photo identification requirement to the state constitution. Voters will also decide on a voter identification requirement in Maine, with Question 1. Maine Question 1 would require voters to present photo identification for both in-person and absentee voting and would also change the rules for absentee voting and election ballot drop boxes.
In California, voters will decide on Proposition 50, which would allow the state to use a new, legislature-drawn congressional district map for 2026 through 2030.
In Texas, voters will decide on Proposition 16, which would provide that “persons who are not citizens of the United States” cannot vote in Texas. While state law requires that residents must attest to being a citizen when registering to vote, Proposition 16 would amend the Texas Constitution, meaning future changes would be subject to a two-thirds legislative vote and voter approval.
Another recurring ballot measure topic in 2025, although limited to Texas, is property tax exemptions. Voters in Texas will decide on seven ballot measures addressing property taxes, including Proposition 13, which would increase the state’s homestead tax exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 of the market value of a house.
For a full list of statewide ballot measures in 2025, see Ballotpedia’s coverage here.
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