Ballot measure campaign finance, 2011
| 2011 U.S. State Ballot Measures | |
|---|---|
2012 »
« 2010
| |
| Part 1: Overview | |
| Measure results | |
| Polls | |
| Endorsements | |
| Part 2: Finances | |
| Contributions | |
| Signature costs | |
| Ballot Measure Monthly | |
| Signature requirements | |
| Finance disclosure rules | |
In 2011, 15 measures raised a total of $88.5 million in contributions. In general, initiatives are the most prominent type of measure in odd-numbered years, and 2011 was no exception. Initiatives accounted for 99 percent of 2011's ballot measure contributions.
Overview
- Main article: 2011 ballot measures
Thirty-four ballot questions were certified for a post on six statewide ballots in 2011. Since 1970, odd-numbered years have seen an average of 46 ballot questions nationwide. Only 15 measures had campaign finance activity, bringing the total for ballot measure contributions to $88.5 million.
Judicial reform and alcohol-related measures raised 89 percent of contributions for the year, although taxes ranked as the most popular issue with a total of eight measures. The same was true for 2009, which saw eight tax-related measures as well.
Contributions
- Main article: 2011 ballot measure campaign contributions
A total of about $88.5 million was raised from support and opposition campaigns in 2011.
| Total contributions to ballot measures by state | |
Top 5
Top 5 states
- $41.5 million - Ohio
- $38.1 million - Washington
- $2.7 million - Maine
- $2.5 million - Mississippi
- $623,308 - Colorado
Top 5 measures
- $41.3 million - Ohio Issue 2
- $34.9 million - Washington I-1183
- $3.9 million - Washington I-1125
- $1.86 million - Mississippi Initiative 26
- $1.85 million - Washington I-1163
Contributions by topic of measure
Five topics accounted for $86 million, or about 98 percent, of contributions: judicial reform, alcohol, taxes, abortion and gambling.
The top two topics—judicial reform and alcohol—only covered two ballot measures (one in Ohio and the other in Washington). The two measures combined made up 86 percent of the year's contributions.
Contributions by type of measure
Of the five measures in 2011 with the highest donations, four were citizen initiatives and one was a veto referendum.
Initiatives, including veto referendums, received about $87.9 million, or 99 percent, of all 2011 contributions.
See also
- Campaign finance disclosure rules for ballot measure campaigns
- 2011 ballot measure petition signature costs
- 2011 ballot measure campaign contributions
Footnotes