2014 ballot measure results likely to affect future elections
November 5, 2014
The ballot measures featured on statewide ballots during the 2014 midterm elections are sure to have a ripple effect on future elections. Though there were few surprises, this year's crop of ballot measures will certainly be factored in as direct democracy activists gear up for campaigns in 2015, 2016 and beyond.
Hot-button issues
Once again, Americans took to the polls to decide some of the most contentious topics of our time. Those supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana successfully harnessed the momentum surrounding this issue in 2012 and used it to propel two recreational marijuana measures onto statewide ballots - one in Alaska and the other in Oregon - both of which were approved by voters on November 4. Recreational marijuana was also legalized in Washington D.C. However, those in favor of legalizing medical marijuana were not as pleased with election results in Florida. Though the measure, Amendment 2, received a majority of the vote, it did not garner the 60 percent supermajority required to pass.
Voters in four states - Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota - opted to raise the minimum wage at the polls. These measures shared 2014 ballots with multiple local measures, which also asked voters to raise the minimum wage.
Two of the most closely watched races were Measure 92 in Oregon and Proposition 105 in Colorado, both of which asked voters to approve the mandatory labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Though Proposition 105 was handily defeated, Oregon's measure, which broke campaign spending records and became the most expensive ballot measure in state history, is still too close to call. If Measure 92 is ultimately defeated, this will deal a hefty blow to those supporting GMO labeling; 2014 will mark the third time in as many years activists have tried and failed to pass GMO labeling measures via the statewide ballot.
By the numbers
A total of 158 ballot measures appeared on 42 statewide ballots this year, with 146 of these decided on November 4. 2014 had an unusually low number of statewide ballot measures. The last time the number of statewide measures dipped below 160 was in 1988.
Two years ago, in 2012, voters saw 188 statewide ballot questions. That number was lower than the average of 194 for even-numbered years since 2000. With all statewide ballot measures finalized for the year, it's apparent 2014 is perpetuating this downward trend since the 2006 high point of 226 measures.
2014 was particularly notable for the low number of initiated measures. Though 616 initiatives were filed, a mere 35 initiated measures went before voters. The last time this number dipped below 36 was in 1974. The low number of initiatives may be due to the dozens of regulations on the initiative process that have been enacted in recent years that make it tougher for initiative supporters to qualify initiatives for the ballot. Statewide ballots in 2012 featured 50 initiatives, significantly more than the number of those certified in 2014. 2010 ballots boasted 46, slightly fewer than 2012 but still 11 more than this year.
Initiatives are not the only measures failing to match previous years' tallies, as 2014's total number of measures is dramatically less than that of the past two even-numbered election years. Even legislatively referred constitutional amendments, which are the most prominent type of measure featured on state ballots this year, are light when compared to previous years.
Of the measures that voters weighed in on during the 2014 general election, 89 were approved, 49 were defeated and eight are still too close to call.
See also
- 2014 ballot measures
- Analysis of the 2014 ballot measures
- 2014 statewide ballot measure election results
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