On the Ballot

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2008 Landscape: Qualified Ballot Measures

To date, 153 measures are on the 2008 November ballot across 35 states. Sixty-one of 153 measures are citizen petitioned initiatives (including popular referenda or citizen vetos). Ninety-two of the 153 were referred to the ballot by state legislators or other administrative bodies.

While it's been reported that the number of ballot measures are significantly down this year that analysis is inaccurate. Ballot measure usage in a given year should be compared to previous election years of the same kind (i.e. Presidential to Presidential, midterm to midterm, odd year to odd year and so on).

Click here to download a chart detailing the number of ballot measures over the years and their passage rate.

Ballot Measure Usage In Presidential Years

2008
153 measures*Please note this number will shift slightly with pending challenges
(61 initiatives)
2004
162 measures
(55 initiatives)
2000
204 measures
(71 initiatives)

Six more ballot initiatives qualified for the 2008 election compared to the Presidential election of 2004. In fact, what's notable about this year is how many measures were attempted, but failed to gain steam or were kicked off the ballot despite serious efforts to qualify (29 in all). Had those 29 measures made it on the ballot, this year would have been close to matching the most active ballot initiative year in history (1996 when 92 initiatives qualified).

The reality is that ballot measures, no matter the year, are a permanent part of American politics. Initiative campaigns have become more complicated, expensive and impactful. Furthermore, ballot initiatives have become more political in nature - often helping voters draw distinction among candidates and influencing the debate on a particular subject matter, or in the case of mid-term elections in particular, increasing voter turnout. 

Click here to download the 2008 BISC Pre-Election Report.

Click here to download maps of the most significant issues on the ballot this year.