Update on this year’s and next year’s ballot measure certifications

In 2023, 41 statewide measures were certified for the ballot in eight states, 10 more measures than the average number certified in other odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021. There are no more pending state ballot measures for 2023. The final election for state ballot measures was on Sat., Nov. 18 in Louisiana, where voters approved three constitutional amendments and rejected one.

For 2024, 56 statewide measures have been certified in 25 states. That’s five more measures than the average number (51) certified at this point from 2010 to 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the average number of statewide ballot measures certified in an even-numbered year was 164.

On average, the months with the highest ballot measure certification activity are June through August before the election. This is when most citizen-initiated ballot measures are certified.

Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity.

Signatures have been filed for nine initiatives in four states—Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Washington. Seven were filed during the past two weeks. The initiatives pending signature verification are:

1. Florida Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024)
2. Michigan $15 Minimum Wage Initiative (2024)
3. Massachusetts Repeal Competency Assessment Requirement for High School Graduation Initiative (2024)
4. Massachusetts Regulated Access to Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2024)
5. Massachusetts Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Initiative (2024)
6. Massachusetts Authorization of State Auditor to Audit General Court Initiative (2024)
7. Massachusetts Unionization and Collective Bargaining for Transportation Network Drivers Initiative (2024)
8. Massachusetts App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2024)
9. Washington I-2117, Prohibit Carbon Tax Credit Trading Initiative (2024)

In Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington, initiated state statutes are indirect. This means the initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. In Michigan and Washington, when legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide. In Massachusetts, petitioners collect a second round of signatures to place the initiative on the ballot.

In Florida, the process is direct—the initiative goes directly to the ballot after signature verification.

The next signature deadline for citizen-initiated ballot measures is December 29, 2023, in Washington.