Alaska 2014 ballot measures

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Four statewide ballot measures were certified for 2014 ballots in the state of Alaska, with one on the August 19, 2014, primary ballot and three on the November 4, 2014, general election ballot. Voters took to the polls during the primary election to decide the fate of Ballot Measure 1. For approximately a week, the results were too close to call due to outstanding absentee and early voter ballots. However, it was eventually determined that voters narrowly defeated the measure. The three measures that appeared on the November general election ballot were approved.

All four measures were originally slated to appear on the primary ballot. However, only one, a veto referendum, was on the August 19 primary ballot. Three others were on the November 4 general election ballot. The legislative session began on January 21, 2014, and was scheduled to conclude on April 20, 2014. Instead, it ended on April 25, 2014, five days after its scheduled conclusion. Because lawmakers couldn't agree on an education bill, the 2014 session surpassed its deadline. Since legislators failed to end the session on time, three initiated state statutes were pushed from the August primary ballot to the general one in November. Alaska law mandates at least 120 days separate the end of the legislative session and Election Day for initiatives. No measures were referred to the 2014 ballot by the legislature.

Issues that appeared on the ballot include:

• Taxes
• Marijuana
• Minimum wage
• Business regulation

Historical facts

• Between 1996 and 2013, an average of four measures appeared annually on the ballot in Alaska. Therefore, 2014 was an average year, based on the number of certified measures.
• From 1996 to 2014, the number of measures on a statewide ballot ranged from one to seven.
• Between 1996 and 2014, 29 of 51, or 57 percent, of Alaska ballot measures were approved by voters.
• Conversely, 22 of 51, or 43 percent, of measures were defeated.

On the ballot

See also: 2014 ballot measures

August 19:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
VR	Ballot Measure 1	Taxes	Repeals bill that grants tax breaks to oil companies	d

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
IndISS	Ballot Measure 2	Marijuana	Decriminalizes marijuana in the state	a
IndISS	Ballot Measure 3	Minimum wage	Increases the minimum wage in 2015 and 2016	a
IndISS	Ballot Measure 4	Business regulation	Prohibits mining projects if harmful to wild salmon in fisheries reserve	a

Not on the ballot

See also: Proposed ballot measures that were not on a ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
IndISS	"Natural Right to Life" Initiative	Abortion	Protects "natural right to life" from beginning of biological development
IndISS	Set Net Ban Initiative	Hunting and fishing	Bans commercial shore gill nets and set nets
LRCA	School Voucher Program Amendment	Education	Allows children to attend private or religious schools using public funds

See also

• List of Alaska ballot measures
• 2014 ballot measures
• Laws governing the initiative process in Alaska
• Alaska Legislature