Ballotpedia's 2014 ballot measure coverage plan
 |
Welcome to Ballotpedia! On this page you'll find everything you need to know about Ballotpedia's ballot measure election coverage for 2014. This includes state and local ballot measures, as well as recall efforts. Additionally, below you'll find a preliminary list of unique election reports to expect for the year.
If you have any questions about election coverage on any of the projects please contact Brittany Clingen.
Overview
Our coverage
For the sixth consecutive year, Ballotpedia will cover all statewide ballot measures across the country, and local measures for various states.
If you are interested in volunteering to expand our local ballot measure coverage, we'd love to have you! Click here for more information.
In addition to election coverage, we are always working to build our database of historical statewide measures, as well as recall efforts. To read more about those projects click here for state measures and here to read about recall efforts.
Statewide ballot measures
Historically, elections on odd-numbered years see about forty-five measures on average; there were 31 in 2013. However, elections that take place during even-numbered years typically have significantly more measures on statewide ballots.
Throughout the year, Ballotpedia staff tracks all proposals, including legislative referrals and those made via the initiative & referendum process. This includes tracking filed initiatives, providing updates following petition drive deadlines, maintaining an up-to-date list of potential measures in each state and keeping track of measures that did not qualify for the ballot.
Every Tuesday, Ballotpedia publishes a report called The Tuesday Count that provides the latest in ballot measure (state and local), recall, lawsuit and ballot measure legislation news. That report highlights the current certification number for the year. On Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2014 you can find a weekly breakdown of when statewide certifications occurred.
To view a more detailed picture of certified state ballot measures, take a look at the Ballot Measure Scorecard. This page highlights when certified measures will appear on the ballot as well as the type of measure.
Throughout the year, we'll be covering efforts to support and oppose ballot measure campaigns, including campaign ads, campaign finance totals, controversies and much more.
- For questions about statewide coverage contact Brittany Clingen.
Ballot measure law
In addition to covering campaign details for all certified measures, Ballotpedia staff tracks lawsuits filed against certified measures and proposals. You can find a list of such lawsuits for 2014 here.
Just as in 2013, we will continue monthly tracking of proposed changes to ballot measure law (the Ballot Law Update). These proposals can, for example, amend the constitution to permit initiatives or raise the number of signatures required to get a measure on the ballot.
- For questions about ballot law contact Brittany Clingen.
Local ballot measures
Ballotpedia tracks multiple states at the local level, based on the availability of comprehensive online election information and the high-profile nature of certain measures.
Every year, Ballotpedia keeps track of all locally held ballot measure elections in California, as well as notable elections in other states. You can find the list for 2014 here. That page provides a big picture overview of all of the local elections covered by Ballotpedia and summarizes election results.
For a look at all past election dates, news, county lists and links to local laws, visit the local state pages.
- For questions about local coverage contact Josh Altic.
Recalls
For 2014, much like our state and local ballot measure coverage, we are covering scheduled recalls as well as proposed efforts. You can find a list of upcoming recalls here.
For a historical look by state and year, take a look here and here, respectively.
For up-to-date recall news either regularly visit the Recall portal or sign up to receive the weekly Tuesday Count.
General election
Leading up to the November 4, 2014, general election, Ballotpedia ballot measure coverage included a series of reports and analyses that provided readers with a preview of what was to appear on ballots across the United States. (See below for more details).
On the night of November 4, coverage for state and local ballot measures as well as recalls included:
- real-time results for all statewide measures scheduled to appear on November 4 ballots
- real-time results for statewide recall efforts (this includes state representatives and state executives)
- real-time results for local ballot measures that feature noteworthy local campaigns[1]
2014 General election coverage included:
- state and local ballot measures
- statewide recalls
- Congress
- state legislatures
- state executive officials
Original analysis
A variety of election-related reports are produced throughout the year for state and local ballot measures, ballot law and recall. Some of those reports include:
- A series of several reports that analyze various features of statewide measures, including a look at lawsuits, political topics and campaign finance.
- An annual look at approval rates for all proposed local measures.
- The Ballot Law Update end of the year reports - a look at ballot legislation and lawsuits.
2014 election pages
- For all your 2014 election information (including state resources such as voter guides and state blue books) check the Election portal.
- Statewide ballot measures
- Local ballot measures
- Upcoming recall elections
- Ballot measure laws and legislation
- Ballot measure lawsuits
2014 election dates
2014 statewide ballot measures • Local ballot measure elections in 2014 |
Petition drive deadlines
The information below includes the filing deadlines and signature requirements for state ballot measures.
| State | Filing deadline for 2014 ballot | Signatures for amendment | Signatures for initiative | Signatures for referendum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska |  July 20, 2014 for 2014 referendums. Initiative signatures must be submitted 365 days after the Division of Elections prepares petition forms or by January 14, 2014, whichever comes first.[2]
|
N/A | 30,169 | 30,169 |
| Arizona | July 3, 2014[3]
|
259,213 | 172,809 | 86,405 |
| Arkansas | July 7, 2014[4]
|
78,133 | 62,507 | 46,880 |
| California | See suggested deadlines[5]
|
807,615 | 504,760 | 504,760 |
| Colorado | August 4, 2014[6]
|
86,105 | 86,105 | 86,105 |
| Florida | February 1, 2014[7]
|
683,149 | 68,314 | N/A |
| Idaho | May 1, 2014[8]
|
N/A | 53,751 | 53,751 |
| Illinois | May 5, 2014.[9] For referendums, petitions must be filed no less than 92 days prior to the November 4 general election.
|
298,400 | 298,400 | 298,400 |
| Maine | February 3, 2014[10]
|
N/A | 57,277 | N/A |
| Maryland | May 31, 2014[11]
|
N/A | N/A | 55,736 |
| Massachusetts | November 20, 2013[12][13]
|
68,911 | 68,911 | 45,941 |
| Michigan | May 28, 2014 for initiatives. July 7 for constitutional amendments. 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislature for referendum.[14]
|
322,609 | 258,088 | 161,305 |
| Mississippi | For all initiatives, petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State not less than ninety (90) days before the first day of the regular session of the legislature at which they are to be submitted.[15]
|
107,216 | 107,216 | 107,216 |
| Missouri | May 4, 2014[16]
|
157,788 | 98,618 | 98,618 |
| Montana | June 20, 2014[17]
|
48,349 | 24,174 | 24,174 |
| Nebraska | July 4, 2014[18][19]
|
114,074 | 79,852 | 57,037 |
| Nevada | July 17, 2014[20]
|
101,667 | 101,667 | 101,667 |
| North Dakota | August 6, 2014[21]
|
26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| Ohio | July 2, 2014[22]
|
385,207 | 115,574[23] | 231,148 |
| Oklahoma | Initiatives have 90 days to submit signatures. No additional signatures are accepted after 5:00 p.m. on the 90th day or after.[24]
|
155,216 | 82,782 | 51,739 |
| Oregon | July 3, 2014 for initiatives and constitutional amendments.[25] For referendums, signatures must be submitted no later than 90 days after the final adjournment of the legislature.
|
116,284 | 87,213 | 58,142 |
| South Dakota | November 4, 2013[26][27]
|
31,708 | 15,854 | 15,854 |
| Utah | April 15, 2014[28]
|
N/A | 101,744 | 101,744 |
| Washington | January 3, 2014 is the deadline for Initiatives to the Legislature. July 3 is the deadline for Initiatives to the People. July 11 is the deadline for referendums.[29]
|
N/A | 246,372 | 123,186 |
| Wyoming | February 10, 2014[30]
|
N/A | 37,606 | 37,606 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Due to the large number of local measures generally scheduled to appear on ballots on the night of the General election, only 15 will be selected. ALL local measure results will be available in the days following the General election.
- ↑ Alaska State Legislature website, accessed April 8, 2014
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State "2014 Election Important Dates," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State "Initiative and Referenda Handbook," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State "How to Qualify an Initiative," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ CO Secretary of State, "2014 Initiative Calendar," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Florida Secretary of State "2013-2014 Dates to Remember," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State "2014 IDAHO PRIMARY and GENERAL ELECTION CALENDAR," accessed April 28, 2014
- ↑ Chicago Board of Elections "2014 Election Calendar," accessed December 12, 2013
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State "2014 Election Calendar," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Maryland Secretary of State "2014 Election Calendar," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ December 4, 2013, is the deadline for certified initiative signature petitions to be submitted to the secretary of state. Petitions are due to local registrars of voters two weeks prior to that deadline. For referendums, petitions must be submitted to the secretary of state within 90 days of the governor signing the targeted law.
- ↑ MA Secretary of State "State Ballot Questions 2014," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ MI Secretary of State "Initiative and Referendum Petitions," accessed December 3, 2013
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State "2014 Initiative Guide," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ MO Secretary of State "Missouri Initiative Process," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ MT Secretary of State "2014 Ballot Issues," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ July 4 is for initiatives. For referendum, less than 90 days after the final adjournment of the state legislative session at which the bill was passed.
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State "Initiative and Referendum Guide," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ NV Secretary of State "2014 Dates," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ ND Secretary of State "Ballot Measures," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ OH Secretary of State "Election 2014 Calendar," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Ohio uses both direct and indirect initiated statutes. For the Legislature to consider an indirect statute, 115,574 signatures are needed, which equals three percent of the total number of ballots cast in the 2010 Governor's election. If the Legislature fails to qualify the statute, a sponsor must collect an additional 115,574 signatures.
- ↑ Oklahoma Secretary of State, "Filing of Signatures (34 O.S., Sections 4 & 8)," accessed August 27, 2014
- ↑ OR Secretary of State "Election Calendar 2014," accessed December 3, 2013
- ↑ November 4 was the deadline for initiatives. For referendum, petitions must be filed no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature that passed the law.
- ↑ SD Secretary of State "Filing Deadlines," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ UT Lieutenant Governor's Office "Initiative Dates," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ WA Secretary of State "Elections Calendar," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ February 10 is the deadline for initiatives. For referendums, petitions must be filed no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
