Category: Ballot measures
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Maine campaign submits signatures for initiative that would require voter approval for state entities and electric cooperatives borrowing $1 billion or more
On Dec. 27, 2022, a campaign in Maine submitted signatures for an initiative that would require voter approval for borrowing $1 billion or more by state entities or electric cooperatives. The No Blank Checks campaign, which submitted 93,000 signatures to the secretary of state, opposes the Pine Tree Power Company initiative, which would create a…
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Ballotpedia’s analysis of 2022 local ballot measures in California
In 2022, there were 572 local ballot measures on six different election dates in California. Voters approved 396 (69%) of these measures and rejected 176 (31%). Out of these measures, 470 of them were on the November 8, 2022, ballot. There were 147 fewer local ballot measures than in the previous even-year election in 2020.…
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Ballotpedia’s analysis of 2022 local ballot measures in top 100 largest cities and state capitals
There were 382 local ballot measures in 39 different states on the ballot for voters in the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and state capitals. Of the measures, 348 (91.10%) were approved, and 34 (8.90%) were defeated. Of the 382 local ballot measures within the top 100 cities and state capitals in 2022,…
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Signatures required for ballot initiatives decreased by 7.34% on average following the 2022 election
Signatures required for ballot initiatives decreased by 7.34% on average following the 2022 election. Heading into 2023, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures will change in 20 states. There are 26 states that allow for initiatives or referendums, and in each of these states, the number of signatures required is tied to another number. The most…
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Ballotpedia’s year-end analysis of statewide ballot measures
Ballotpedia published its year-end analysis of the 140 statewide ballot measures voters decided in 2022. The year-end analysis provides: a breakdown of approval rates by measure type a breakdown of measures by topic historical comparisons of the numbers and types of measures data on citizen initiative activity compared to recent election cycles a summary of…
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Voters approve of 71% of the 99 statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot in 2022
From 2006 through 2022, a total of 1,139 constitutional amendments were proposed and put before voters. Of this total, voters approved 819 proposed changes to state constitutions. Every state but Delaware requires voters to ratify proposed state constitutional amendments. There are four ways that proposed constitutional amendments can be proposed and put on the ballot…
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The lowest and the highest readability scores for 2017-2022 ballot measures
Ballotpedia conducts an annual readability report analyzing what level of education voters would need to understand the ballot titles and summaries of statewide ballot measures using Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Measurements used in calculating readability scores include the number of syllables, words, and sentences in a text. Other factors, such…
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Voters addressed 132 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 8
On Nov. 8, voters in 37 states decided on 132 statewide ballot measures. As of Nov. 14, voters approved 87 (66%) and defeated 38 (29%). Seven (5%) remained uncalled; five were leaning ‘No’ and two were leaning ‘Yes.’ In 2020, 120 measures were on the ballot in November. Voters approved 88 (73%) and defeated 32…
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Campaigns for two Maine initiatives submit signatures for 2023 ballot
In Maine, two campaigns submitted signatures for initiatives this week to make the ballot for November 7, 2023. The signatures were submitted to the secretary of state. If the minimum valid signature requirement is met, the initiatives with enough signatures will go to the Legislature, which has the option to approve them. If the Legislature…
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2022 statewide ballot measures written at graduate school reading level
The ballot language for the 140 statewide ballot measures on the ballot in 38 states in 2022 is written at an average reading level of 19 (graduate school reading level), up from 18 in 2021. Ballotpedia identified 66 measures with a ballot summary that was set to appear alongside the ballot question on the ballot.…