As of May 12, 105 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 37 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024).
Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks:
- Six new measures were certified for the ballot in five states.
- California Limit Compensation of Healthcare Executives Initiative
- Colorado TABOR Revenue Cap Increase for K-12 Education Measure
- Hawaii Authorize Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity (RISE) Bonds Amendment
- Iowa Two-Thirds Legislative Vote Requirement for Income Tax Increase Bills Amendment
- Louisiana One-Time Transfer of Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses Amendment
- Louisiana Property Tax Rate Limits Based on Existing Voter-Approved Maximums Amendment
- Signatures have been submitted and are pending verification for 17 citizen-initiated measures in five states:
- California Establish Immunology and Immunotherapy Research Institute Initiative
- California Establish Personal Injury Lawyer Regulations Initiative
- California Expedited Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects Initiative
- California One-Time Wealth Tax for State-Funded Healthcare, Education, and Food Assistance Programs Initiative
- California Prohibit Taxes on Retirement Holdings and Personal Savings Amendment
- California Renew State Income Tax Increase for Education Funding Initiative
- California Require Background Checks and Sexual Assault Reporting by Rideshare Companies Initiative
- California Require Healthcare Union Member Approval for Ballot Measure Campaign Spending Initiative
- California Revenue Use Requirements for New Special Taxes Amendment
- California Spending Requirements for Federally Qualified Health Centers Initiative
- California State University Staff First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Loan Program Initiative
- Idaho Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative
- Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act Initiative
- Michigan Citizenship Verification and Voter Identification Initiative
- Missouri Congressional Map Referendum
- Missouri Initiative and Referendum Powers and Legislative Change Requirements Amendment
- North Dakota Require Schools to Provide Free Meals to Students Initiative
- There are currently no indirect initiatives certified to state legislatures. In Massachusetts, the legislature did not approve any of the 11 indirect initiatives before the May 5 deadline. As a result, campaigns must now collect a second round of 12,429 signatures by July 8 for the initiatives to appear on the ballot for voters to decide.
The most recent signature deadline for ballot initiatives was May 5, 2026, in South Dakota. No signatures were submitted for ballot initiatives, marking the first time since 1976 that no citizen-initiated laws will appear on the statewide ballot in South Dakota. However, a veto referendum could still appear on the ballot.
The next signature deadline is May 27, 2026, in Michigan, for indirect initiated state statutes. One campaign is currently gathering signatures for an initiated state statute related to campaign finance regulations.
By this point in even-numbered years from 2014 through 2024, an average of 95 statewide measures had been certified for the ballot. During this period, the average total number of statewide ballot measures certified in an even-numbered year was 153.
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