Democratic and Republican trifectas each averaged 19 ballot initiatives for even-numbered year elections between 2010 and 2024. States with divided governments averaged 15 initiatives.

Twenty-six (26) states provide for a statewide ballot initiative process, where citizens place constitutional amendments, statutes, or veto referendums on the ballot. Following the 2024 elections, 22 of the 26 states have a state government trifecta—a type of single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Of the 26 states with an initiative process, 13 are currently Republican trifectas; nine are Democratic trifectas; and four are divided governments.

Among Democratic trifecta states, California had the most initiatives with 59. Democrats controlled California for all but one year—2010—when it was a divided government. Among Republican trifecta states, South Dakota had the most initiatives with 28. Republicans have controlled South Dakota for the last 15 years.

Three states—Colorado, Michigan, and Nevada—tied for the highest number of trifecta changes, with four shifts in control. They saw an average of 26 initiatives, while states with no change to trifecta status—Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah—featured an average of 15 initiatives.

Between 2010 and 2025, 466 initiatives were certified for statewide ballots. The years with the most initiatives in Democratic trifecta states were 2012 and 2024, with 24 initiatives. The year with the most initiatives in Republican trifecta states was 2018, with 32 initiatives. Divided states saw the greatest number of initiatives in 2016, with 31 initiatives.

The chart below shows the number of initiatives certified for even-numbered year elections between 2010 and 2024 by state trifecta status.