Author: Ryan Byrne

  • New York will require ballot measure questions to not exceed an eighth-grade reading level

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    Starting in 2024, New York will implement new language requirements for state ballot questions. On Nov. 17, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed Senate Bill 1381 (SB 1381), which requires state ballot measure questions to be written using clear language and not exceed an eighth-grade reading level. In the Legislature, SB 1381 received a unanimous…

  • Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications

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    In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021. There are no more pending state ballot measures for 2023. The next—and final—election for state ballot measures is on Sat., Nov. 18 in Louisiana, where voters will…

  • More than $169 million has been raised for and against state ballot measures in 2023, surpassing the three previous odd-numbered-year election cycles

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    A total of $169.48 million has been contributed to either support or oppose 41 statewide ballot measures in eight states in 2023, surpassing the previous three odd-numbered-year election cycles.  Campaigns received $107.41 million in 2021. In 2019, $28.36 million was received. In 2017, $108.76 million was received. In 2023, one state—Ohio—accounts for 63.23% of the…

  • Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications

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    In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.  For 2024, 52 statewide measures have been certified in 23 states. That’s four more measures than the average number certified at this point…

  • There are nine local ballot measures in Virginia on Nov. 7, including an initiative to make the Hanover County School Board an elected body

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    In Virginia, voters in seven counties will decide on nine local ballot measures alongside state legislative elections on Nov. 7. The local ballot measures range in topic, including government structure and elections, gambling expansion, general obligation bonds for school facilities and capital improvement projects.  Measures on government and elections Two of the ballot measures address…

  • Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications

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    In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.  For 2024, 49 statewide measures have been certified in 22 states. That’s one more measure than the average number certified at this point…

  • Campaign in Arizona launches signature drive for a ballot initiative to establish a state constitutional right to abortion

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    Arizona for Abortion Access launched a signature-gathering campaign for an initiative on Sep. 21, 2023. The ballot initiative, which would appear on the ballot in Nov. 2024, would establish a state constitutional right to abortion before the point of fetal viability (defined as the point of pregnancy when there is a significant chance of the…

  • Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications

    Posted on

    In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.  For 2024, 49 statewide measures have been certified in 22 states. That’s one more measure than the average number certified at this point…

  • 41 statewide ballot measures are certified in eight states—the highest for an odd-numbered year since 2007

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    In 2023, 41 statewide ballot measures are certified for the ballot in eight states—the highest number for an odd-numbered year since 2007. Measures in Maine, Ohio, and Texas, in particular, contributed to the above-average number of state ballot measures in 2023. From 2009 to 2021, odd-numbered years had an average of 32 statewide measures. Voters…

  • California enacts changes to veto referendum ballot language

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    California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 421 (AB 421), which addresses the veto referendum process, on Sept. 8, 2023. AB 421 changes how veto referendums appear on the ballot, among other provisions. A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. For 2024,…