Ballotpedia's 2015 ballot measure coverage plan
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Welcome to Ballotpedia! On this page you'll find everything you need to know about Ballotpedia's ballot measure election coverage for 2015. 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
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Our coverage
For the seventh consecutive year, Ballotpedia will cover all statewide ballot measures across the country, and select local measures.
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 during odd-numbered years see about forty-five measures on average, though the past few years have seen slightly less than 45, with 31 in 2013 and 34 in 2011.
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 and ballot measures in the news during a given week. On Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2015 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 2015 here.
Just as in 2013 and 2014, 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 Josh Altic.
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 2015 here. That page provides a big-picture overview of all of the local elections covered by Ballotpedia and summarizes election results for notable measures.
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 2015, 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 3, 2015, general election, Ballotpedia ballot measure coverage includes a series of reports and analyses that provide readers with a preview of what is to appear on ballots across the United States. (See below for more details).
On the night of November 3, coverage for state and local ballot measures, as well as recalls, will include:
- real-time results for all statewide measures scheduled to appear on November 3 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]
2015 General election coverage will include:
- state and local ballot measures
- statewide recalls
- state legislatures
- state executive officials
- school board elections
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.
2015 election pages
- For all your 2015 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
2015 election dates
2015 statewide ballot measures • Local ballot measure elections in 2015 |
Petition drive deadlines
The information below includes the filing deadlines and signature requirements for state ballot measures.
| State | Filing deadline for 2015 ballot | Signatures for amendment | Signatures for initiative | Signatures for referendum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado |  August 3, 2015[2]
|
98,492 | 98,492 | 98,492 |
| Maine | January 22, 2015, was the deadline for initiatives. For referendums, petitions must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 90 days following the adjournment of the legislative session in which the legislation under question was approved.[3]
|
N/A | 61,123 | 61,123 |
| Mississippi | October 8, 2014, since the legislature convened on the planned date of January 6, 2015.[4]
|
107,216 | N/A | N/A |
| Ohio | July 1, 2015[5]
|
305,591 | 91,677[6] | 183,355 |
| Washington | January 2, 2015, was the deadline for Initiatives to the Legislature.
|
N/A | 246,372 | 123,186 |
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 for the measures covered by Ballotpedia will be available in the days following the General election.
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed December 16, 2014
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "Deadlines for Current Citizen Initiatives," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Initiative Guide," accessed December 16, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Election 2015 Calendar," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Ohio uses both direct and indirect initiated statutes. For the Legislature to consider an indirect statute, 91,677 signatures are needed, which equals three percent of the total number of ballots cast in the 2014 Governor's election. If the Legislature fails to qualify the statute, a sponsor must collect an additional 91,677 signatures.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar," accessed December 16, 2013
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