As of May 26, 117 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 38 states, 15 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:
- Twelve new measures were certified for the ballot in seven states. Two are citizen-initiated measures in California and North Dakota, while the other 10 are legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- California Spending Requirements for Federally Qualified Health Centers Initiative
- Louisiana Prohibit Post-Conviction Bail for Individuals Convicted of Assault Against Minors Amendment
- Louisiana Prohibit Property Expropriation by Foreign Adversaries Amendment
- Louisiana Property Tax Exemption for Seniors Amendment
- Louisiana Tax Exemption for Rehabilitated Property Amendment
- Minnesota Management and Investment Policies for Permanent School Fund Amendment
- Missouri Creation of Show-Me Prosperity Investment Fund for State Tax Reduction and Elimination Amendment
- Missouri Require Election of County Sheriffs Amendment
- North Carolina Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment
- North Carolina Reduce Income Tax Rate Cap from 7% to 3.5% Amendment
- North Dakota Require Schools to Provide Free Meals to Students Initiative
- Vermont Proposal 4, Equal Protection of Law Amendment
- Signatures have been submitted and are pending verification for 17 citizen-initiated measures in six 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 State University Staff First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Loan Program Initiative
- Colorado Increase Transportation Funds for Road Transportation and Decrease Funds for Other Forms of Transportation Amendment
- 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
- Oregon Criminalize Hunting, Fishing, and Intentional Injury to Animals Initiative
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 102 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.
