Two Nebraska sports-betting initiatives and three initiatives in Colorado were certified, bringing the nationwide total for 2026 to 157 measures. This exceeds the average of 153 measures certified per even-numbered year.
The average is based on the past six even-numbered election cycles, from 2014 through 2024. During this period, 2018 had the most statewide ballot measures, with 167. At this point in 2018, however, 155 measures had been certified—two fewer than the current 2026 total. Because measures could still qualify in several states, the final 2026 total may increase. For example, 10 citizen-initiated measures are still pending signature verification or judicial rulings.
