Ballot measure cost-per-required-signature (CPRS) analyses
This page compiles annual analyses of the cost per required signature (CPRS) for statewide ballot initiative campaigns. The CPRS measures how much was spent on a petition drive relative to the number of signatures required to qualify an initiative or veto referendum for the ballot.
Ballotpedia has tracked CPRS since 2014. The year with the highest average CPRS was 2017, with an average of $15.40 per signature across four initiative campaigns.
The initiative with the highest CPRS was South Dakota Constitutional Amendment U in 2016, which spent $1.5 million for 27,740 required signatures, amounting to a CPRS of $56.00. The initiative with the lowest CPRS was Maine Question 2 in 2017, which spent $956.74 for 61,123 required signatures, amounting to a CPRS of $0.02.
The three most expensive states based on the average CPRS between 2016 and 2024 for even-numbered year elections are Arkansas ($21.42), Montana ($16.42), and Ohio ($14.62).
This page includes:
- a list of annual signature cost analyses;
- a comparison of the average CPRS by year;
- a comparison of the average CPRS for even-numbered and odd-numbered year ballot initiatives;
- a list of the most expensive CPRS campaigns; and
- the methodology used to calculate CPRS.
Years
Click on a year to view that year's state ballot measures' signature costs
- 2025Average cost: $0.70
Number of initiatives: 2 - 2024Average cost: $14.87
Number of initiatives: 53 - 2023Average cost: $9.38
Number of initiatives: 7 - 2022Average cost: $12.70
Number of initiatives: 30 - 2021Average cost: $14.74
Number of initiatives: 4 - 2020Average cost: $8.09
Number of initiatives: 43 - 2019Average cost: $2.69
Number of initiatives: 2 - 2018Average cost: $6.52
Number of initiatives: 68 - 2017Average cost: $15.40
Number of initiatives: 4 - 2016Average cost: $5.63
Number of initiatives: 76 - 2015Average cost: $3.57
Number of initiatives: 5 - 2014Average cost: $3.22
Number of initiatives: 40
Analyses
Cost-per-required-signature, 2014-2025
The chart below shows the average CPRS and the largest CPRS for the years from 2014 through 2025. Click the year in the first column to access that year's data.
Even-numbered election years, 2016-2024
The map below shows the average CPRS for even-numbered year ballot initiatives by state between 2016 and 2024. Arkansas had the highest CPRS with $21.42, and Washington had the lowest average with $4.01.
The chart below displays the cost-per-required-signature for ballot initiatives in even-numbered years. 2024 had the highest cost with a cumulative total of $172.1 million spent by campaigns for 53 initiatives in 18 states, with an average CPRS of $14.87.
Odd-numbered election years, 2017-2025
The chart below displays cost-per-required-signature for ballot initiatives in odd-numbered years, which feature a lesser number of initiatives than even-numbered years . The year with the highest CPRS was 2017 with an average of $15.40 per signature for four initiative campaigns in two states.
Most expensive cost-per-required signature campaigns
The following table displays the top 10 most expensive cost-per-required signature rates for initiative campaigns between 2010 and 2025, ranging from $56.00 to $22.57 per required signature.
| State | Year | Measure | Cost | Required Signatures | CPRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 2016 | Limit on Statutory Interest Rates for Loans, Constitutional Amendment U | $1,553,405.58 | 27,740 | $56.00 |
| Maine | 2017 | Question 1: Casino or Slot Machines in York County Initiative | $2,687,826.38 | 61,123 | $43.97 |
| Maine | 2021 | Question 1: Electric Transmission Line Restrictions and Legislative Approval Initiative | $2,048,794.68 | 63,067 | $32.49 |
| Florida | 2024 | Amendment 3: Marijuana Legalization Initiative | $23,086,166.00 | 891,523 | $25.90 |
| Arizona | 2018 | Proposition 127: Renewable Energy Standards Initiative | $5,843,652.00 | 225,963 | $25.86 |
| Montana | 2020 | CI-118: Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment | $1,232,445.93 | 50,936 | $24.20 |
| Arizona | 2024 | Proposition 139: Right to Abortion Initiative | $9,275,696.00 | 383,923 | $24.16 |
| Montana | 2020 | I-190: Marijuana Legalization Initiative | $607,025.61 | 25,468 | $23.83 |
| Michigan | 2022 | Proposal 3: Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative | $9,594,991.24 | 425,059 | $22.57 |
Methodology
Ballotpedia's CPRS analyses use the following general methodology:
- All data are compiled from information made available through each state's respective campaign finance website.
- Individual initiative data are obtained from available reports from the main committee believed to have been in charge of the petition effort.
- All costs that could be directly related to petitions, including petition gathering and petition printing, were accumulated. When a petition company is used, the company is listed even though all costs may not be directly associated.
- All averages are calculated using only available data. If an initiative does not have data available, it is excluded from such calculations.
- All averages are averages of totals, not averages of averages.
Related articles
See also
Footnotes
