We typically see far fewer ballot measures in odd-year elections, and 2011 will be no exception. So far, there are 24 statewide measures on the ballot in just seven states.
Why so few? One reason is the fact that many states don't hold a statewide general election in odd years. The biggest reason, though, is that most initiative states restrict initiatives to even-year general elections.
Only five of the 24 initiative states -- Colorado, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio and Washington -- permit initiatives on odd-year general election ballots (and in Colorado, odd-year initiatives can address only revenue issues). In seven more, an initiative could theoretically appear on the ballot in an odd year, but it would require a special election. Odd-year special election votes on initiatives are rare or unheard of in those states. While technically permitted in Alaska, Missouri, Montana, and Oregon, there has never been an odd-year special election initiative vote. California and Oklahoma have each seen just seven odd-year special elections for initiatives in state history, and North Dakota four.
So while 24 measures may seem like a woefully small total after November 2010's total of 160, it's really not atypical.
Statewide Measures on the November 2011 Ballot
|
|
2001 |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
2011* |
|
Initiatives |
4 |
6 |
17 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
|
Legislative Referenda |
29 |
15 |
23 |
30 |
18 |
18 |
|
Other Measures |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
26 |
0 |
|
Total Measures |
33 |
22 |
41 |
34 |
2 |
24 |
*As of July 19, 2011; likely to change before November.
There are two measures in signature verification in Ohio and three in Washington, and one measure still circulating for signatures in Colorado. All six of these could still land on the November 2011 ballot. It is unlikely that the total will grow by more than that though, since most legislatures have already adjourned for the year.
High-profile issues on the November ballot include voter ID and abortion in Mississippi and gaming in New Jersey. For more information on the 24 measures on the ballot this November, visit NCSL's Ballot Measures Database.
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