Category: Ballot measures
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2025 statewide ballot measures written at the highest reading level, equivalent to a doctorate degree, since Ballotpedia started tracking in 2017
The ballot language for the 30 statewide ballot measures in nine states in 2025 is written at an average reading level of 21, equivalent to a doctorate degree, and the highest level since 2017, when Ballotpedia started tracking the data. This is an increase from 2024, which had an average of 16 years of education…
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Florida voters have decided on 407 ballot measures since 1900
Since 1900, Florida voters have decided on 407 ballot measures—approving 288 (71%) and rejecting 119 (29%). There are five different types of ballot measures in Florida. Legislatively referred constitutional amendments have appeared on the ballot the most number of times (327), with voters approving 70% of them. Initiatives have appeared on statewide ballots 44 times…
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Voters in six states will decide on 24 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 4, 2025
On Nov. 4, voters in six states—California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington—will be deciding on 24 statewide ballot measures. Overall, 30 statewide ballot measures are certified for the ballot in nine states in 2025. Earlier in 2025, voters in three states—Louisiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin—decided on six ballot measures. Two were approved, and four…
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Update on state ballot measures certifications—one new ballot measure certified in California for 2026
While the number of state ballot measures for 2025 is finalized, at 30, the total for 2026 will continue to increase until Sept. 2026. As of Oct. 14, 56 ballot measures have been certified for ballots in 2026. The most recent certification was in California on Oct. 2, when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation…
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California enacts four 2025 laws on ballot measures and recalls, including ban on foreign national contributions to ballot measure campaigns
The California State Legislature passed four bills that make changes to the laws governing ballot measures in the state, including a bill to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to state and local ballot measure campaigns. Assembly Bill 953 defines foreign nationals as "a person who is not a citizen of the United States and who…
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Under proposed supermajority rule, every Missouri ballot initiative since 2020 would have failed
In 2026, Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment, Amendment 4, to require voter approval of citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in each congressional district, rather than statewide. Amendment 4 was introduced by State Rep. Ed Lewis (R-6). It passed the House by 98–58 and passed the Senate by 21–11. In addition to the new supermajority…
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California voters will decide on a proposition to allow public financing of campaigns in Nov. 2026
California voters will decide in 2026 whether to allow state and local governments to create public financing programs for election campaigns under Senate Bill 42 (SB 42), which Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed on Oct. 2. The measure would repeal a prohibition, enacted through Proposition 73 in 1988, on public officers and candidates using or…
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Connecticut has decided on 85 ballot measures since 1845
Since 1845, Connecticut voters have decided 85 statewide ballot measures. Of these, 77 (90%) were approved, and 8 (10%) were defeated. In Connecticut, the General Assembly can refer measures to the ballot. Citizens of Connecticut do not have the power to initiate statewide ballot measures, and the state has never voted on an amendment to…
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California Proposition 50 becomes the 10th most expensive ballot measure in state's history, with five weeks to go
Proposition 50 became the 10th most expensive ballot measure on record in California on Sept. 26, 2025, with five weeks until the election. As of Sept. 26, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $122.3 million. Supporters of Proposition 50 reported $84.9 million in contributions, while opponents reported $37.5 million. This…
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Denver voters will decide eight local ballot measures on Nov. 4, including a veto referendum that could ban the sale of flavored tobacco products
Voters in the city and county of Denver, Colorado, will decide on eight local ballot measures on Nov. 4, 2025. Five are bond measures, two are referred questions, and one is a citizen-initiated veto referendum. Bond Measures The bond measures were placed on the ballot by the Denver City Council. The five measures, if approved,…