October 01, 2008
Not a Record, But a Large Number of Ballot Measures in November
Voters in several states will have to spend some extra time at the polls.
DENVER - The November election is roughly five weeks away. While ballots are taking their final form across the country, the total number of ballot questions is expected to be just shy of 160. 63 of these are citizen initiatives. In 2006, the number of initiatives totaled 76, the second-highest total. (The record of 87 ballot initiatives occurred in both 1914 and 1996.)
"Unlike 2004 and 2006, there really is no theme that is dominating this year's crop of ballot measures," said Jennie Drage Bowser, elections expert at NCSL. In November 2004, 11 states voted on same-sex marriage. In 2006, 11 states voted on property rights, eight considered same-sex marriage, and six passed minimum wage increases.
This year, some of the most controversial issues include abortion (California, Colorado and South Dakota), anti-affirmative action (Colorado and Nebraska), immigration (Arizona, California, Missouri and Oregon), and same-sex marriage (Arizona, California and Florida, and a ban on adoption by gay couples in Arkansas). Other issues on the ballot in more than one state include environmental protection and land/water conservation (Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and Ohio), criminal justice (multiple measures in both California and Oregon), elections (Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio and Oregon), campaign finance reform (Colorado, Oregon and South Dakota), and legislatures (Colorado and South Dakota).
Major tax limitation initiatives are on the ballot in Massachusetts, North Dakota and Oregon. The measures before voters in Massachusetts and Oregon this year will look familiar -- voters rejected virtually the same measures in those states in 2002 and 2000, respectively. The Massachusetts proposal would eliminate more than a third of the state's budget. Estimates are that Oregon's would cut state revenues by about 10 percent, and North Dakota's by about 15 percent.
Voters in Colorado, Oregon and California have the most measures on the ballot this year. 18 measures will be before voters in Colorado and 12 each in Oregon and California.
"The further they get down a particularly long ballot, the more likely voters are to vote 'no' or not vote at all," said Drage Bowser.
Surprisingly, this is not the longest ballot in Colorado's history. That was in 1912, the first election held after the initiative process was adopted. That year, there were 32 measures on the ballot, 20 of them initiatives. In 1992, Coloradans considered 13 questions, the second-place record for longest ballot until this year.
Across the country, a total of 156 questions have qualified for statewide ballots. We are still waiting for signature verification to wrap up on one measures in Ohio.
"If historical trends hold true this year, fewer than half the measures on the ballot will pass on November 4," said Drage Bowser. "Considering the current economic crisis, we could see voters feeling pessimistic and even more likely than usual to vote 'no' this year, particularly on tax increases and spending proposals."
To view details on the 156 measures already on the ballot, visit NCSL's Ballot Measures Database.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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