Features of official voter guides, compared by state
From Ballotpedia
| Voter Guides |
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| Title • Summary & Analysis |
| Fiscal note (impact statement) |
| Arguments pro and con |
| Features, compared by state |
| Publication requirements |
This page compares the features of official voter guides for statewide ballot measures.
How does Ballotpedia define an official voter guide for statewide ballot measures?
- Produced by a state agency or authority
- Contains at least one of the voter guide features detailed below
- Addressed specifically to voters as a guide for an election
- Formatted as a booklet or pamphlet, unless it is only available online
- Referenced or published on state websites
What does Ballotpedia not consider as an official voter guide for statewide ballot measures?
- A voter guide by a third party group
- A voter guide describing only candidates for public offices
- A press release describing a ballot certification
Ballotpedia conducts two separate and original analyses of official state voter guides. The first is review at online voter guide featurs and availability each election cycle, last conducted for 2024 election voter guides. The second is a telephone survey of election offices relating to voter guide availability and cost, last conducted in August 2012.
Voter guide features
Comparison of voter guides
Voter guide accessibility survey
Ballot measure voter guides are specific booklets or pamphlets published by state governments to educate voters on the initiatives, referendums, and referrals they will be voting on in upcoming elections. While ballots between states can vary significantly in language and form, voter guides often have certain features.
Voter guide features include:
- Official ballot language: This includes the ballot title or question.
- Neutral explanation or analysis: This is a short summary by a governmental agency of the key points. Some summaries can run multiple pages, while others may be only a paragraph or two.
- Fiscal impact statement: This is generally a detailed explanation of how the measure will affect state finances.
- Arguments for and against the measure: These are either arguments written by support or opposition campaigns or general points compiled by the agency publishing the guides. Some states allow comments from the public to be submitted as well.
- Text of the measure: This is the full text of the statute or amendment that will become law if the measure is approved; it often includes mark-ups to show exactly how the law was changed.
- Documentation in multiple languages: Official voter guides are always published in English, but some states will publish them in other languages (such as Spanish) and formats (such as audio).
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The state governments of Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, and New Jersey did not produce a voter guide featuring statewide ballot measures.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The state governments of Indiana, Kentucky, and New Hampshire did not produce a voter guide featuring statewide ballot measures.
- ↑ The measures on the 2017 ballot were automatic advisory questions about bill increasing tax revenue. A full ballot measure guide similar to what is produced for other ballot measures was not created for these questions.
- ↑ Note: Alabama's official "Voter Guide" only provides information about the process of voting, not about candidates or ballot measures. (Alabama Votes, "Alabama Voter Guide 2016," accessed October 23, 2016)
- ↑ A state sample ballot or voter guide were not found for Indiana in 2016.
- ↑ Note: Arguments for and against maine measures can be submitted as "Public Comments" in Maine.
- ↑ Instead of explicitly listing the supporting and opposing arguments, Minnesota's 2016 guide links to the websites of groups both supporting and opposing the measures, in accordance with Minnesota Statute 10.60.
- ↑ Note: The legislature publishes an additional voter guide on constitutional amendments.
- ↑ Note: No voter guide for the bond issue on the ballot in March 2016 was found.
- ↑ Note: Only the ballot question was found for the referendum on the ballot on June 14, 2016
- ↑ Note: Fiscal impact statements were only made available for citizen-initiated measures.
- ↑ Note: Maine's pro and con arguments take the form of "public comments."
- ↑ Fiscal statements are only created for measures that have a fiscal impact.
- ↑ Note: Alabama's official "Voter Guide" only provides information about the process of voting, not about candidates or ballot measures. (Alabama Votes, "Alabama Voter Guide 2014," accessed September 29, 2014)
- ↑ Note: Maine's pro and con arguments take the form of "public comments."
- ↑ Note: The voter guide applies to both the August 5 and November 4 elections.
- ↑ Note: The legislature publishes an additional voter guide on constitutional amendments.
- ↑ Note: New York has no voter guide in print. However, municipalities may publish their own, e.g., New York City.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 The Alabama Secretary of State offered the amendment certificate as the information regarding ballot measures in 2012.
- ↑ Note: Alabama's official "Voter Guide" only provides information about the process of voting, not about candidates or ballot measures.
- ↑ The Alaska 2012 general election voter guide did not comply with this category, though it is not completely applicable as neither measure was a statute or an amendment. Regardless, potential specific legal language regarding the bond or convention could theoretically have been included.
- ↑ Alaska provides a distinct voter guide for each of its four geographical regions, which also contains information on candidates.
- ↑ The Arizona Election Guide notes: "State law requires the Joint Legislative Budget Committee Staff to prepare a summary of the fiscal impacts of certain ballot measures."
- ↑ Note: English Audio and English Large Print were made available on order.
- ↑ Note: Large print and audio guides were also available on order.
- ↑ Note: Basic ballot status is listed on the Florida Division of Elections website.
- ↑ Note: No information regarding the ballot measure was available for the July 31, 2012, election. See: Georgia Secretary of State, "Elections Division" accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ The Illinois Voter Guide previously had a Spanish language option. This has been replace with Google Translate, which does not work with the PDF explanation of the measures.
- ↑ Kentucky 2012 ballot language was available on the Kentucky Secretary of State website through sample ballots.
- ↑ The 2012 Maine Citizen's Guide had space for public comments, but none were submitted for any of the measures.
- ↑ Maryland has audio files of the 2012 ballot questions, but not of any other available information.
- ↑ The explanation in Massachusetts was also printed on the ballot itself in 2012.
- ↑ Note: The Michigan Secretary of State also provided information to voters on ballot language and measure text.
- ↑ Instead of explicitly listing the supporting and opposing arguments, Minnesota's 2012 guide links to the websites of groups both supporting and opposing the measures, in accordance with Minnesota Statute 10.60.
- ↑ Note: The reference applies to both the August 7 and November 6 elections.
- ↑ Note: Nebraska defers to outside sources for much of the voter information process. See: Nebraska Secretary of State, "Nebraska General Voter Information," archived October 31, 2012
- ↑ New Jersey advertised their certification as their ballot information on the Department of State election website in 2012.
- ↑ Note: The only available voter guide was for candidates covered by North Carolina public funding programs.
- ↑ The 2012 measure in North Carolina was a new amendment and thus did not require mark-up.
- ↑ Note: Publication per North Dakota Century Code 16.1-01-17.
- ↑ Note: Also available in English audio, large print and braille upon request.
- ↑ Fiscal information in Rhode Island in 2012 is only given in relation to borrowing and bond financing.
- ↑ The explanation in South Carolina was also printed on the ballot itself in 2012.
- ↑ Note: A Video Voter's Guide with pro and con arguments is also available for some measures.
- ↑ State sample ballot or voter guide not found, as of July 2012.
- ↑ Note: A separate detailed fiscal impact statement is also available.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 After the Secretary of State receives the approved proposal, he or she transfers the measure to the Office of Budget and Management (and/or Tax Commissioner if the measure involves a tax). The office (and/or commissioner) then estimates the fiscal impact of the measure. This estimate (or joint estimate) is ultimately posted on the Secretary of State's website 30 days prior to the election.
- ↑ Note: The analysis is not specifically addressed to voters.
- ↑ Note: Online edition only
- ↑ Note: Video Voter's Guide with pro and con arguments is also available.
- ↑ Note: Also contains information on candidates.
- ↑ Note: Online version only
- ↑ Note: Large Print and Audio guides were also available on order.
- ↑ Note: Basic ballot status is listed on the Florida Division of Elections website.
- ↑ After preliminary signatures have been collected and proponents have submitted a ballot title and summary, the Secretary of State must submit the proposal to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference. The Conference, after allowing for public input, must draft a concise statement of the effect of the proposed measure on revenue and expenditures. The Conference must also draft a more detailed financial statement of the measure's predicted effects and the methods used in the analysis. Read more here.
- ↑ Online version is in English.
- ↑ Available online only as confirmed by Ballotpedia staff with the Illinois State Board of Elections via phone on July 10, 2012.
- ↑ A state sample ballot or voter guide were not found, as of July 2012.
- ↑ A state sample ballot or voter guide were not found, as of July 2012.
- ↑ Note:Online version only
- ↑ The explanation in Massachusetts was also printed on the ballot itself in 2010.
- ↑ Note: During the attorney general's review, he or she must determine if the bill affects state revenues or expenditures. If so, the budget director must prepare a short fiscal note for inclusion on the petition and ballot.
- ↑ Note: Montana allows for support and opposition to submit rebuttals to the initial arguments of the opposite side.
- ↑ Note: Available online only at Nevada Secretary of State.
- ↑ North Dakota's ballot information page is no longer accessible as of July 2012. It was available online only.
- ↑ The North Dakota Legislative Council prepares a fiscal analysis of each measure after certification and prior to the election. This information is made available to the public by the Secretary of State.
- ↑ A 2010 Spanish voter guide was emailed to Ballotpedia by the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office on Sept. 25, 2012. An online link is unavailable.
- ↑ The explanation in South Carolina was also printed on the ballot itself in 2010.
- ↑ On April 6, 2012, the office of the attorney general released an opinion statement that included an analysis. Available here.
- ↑ Note: Online version only
- ↑ Note: Utah allows for support and opposition to submit rebuttals to the initial arguments of the opposite side.
- ↑ Note: The Statewide Candidate Information Publication contains information on candidates and a sample ballot, but no separate section on the ballot measure was listed.
- ↑ Note: Online edition only
- ↑ Note: Video Voter's Guide with pro and con arguments is also available.
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Voters’ Pamphlet: Oregon General Election," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Note: Large Print and Audio guides were also available on order.
- ↑ A state sample ballot or voter guide was not found, as of July 2012.
- ↑ Note: Sample ballot published by local clerks.
- ↑ Note: The analysis is not specifically addressed to voters.
- ↑ Note: Online edition only
- ↑ Note: Video Voter's Guides for Referendum-71 and I-1033 with pro and con argument are also available.
- ↑ TVW, "Search Results"
- ↑ Arkansas: According to state officials, issue groups in the state of Arkansas send out informational packets prior to the election.
- ↑ Florida: According to state officials, Florida relies on newspapers and local issue groups for most distribution of information.
- ↑ Illinois: $2 million includes the budget for translation into many different languages and publication in newspapers).
- ↑ Louisiana: According to state officials the private, nonprofit Public Affairs Research Council provides information about constitutional amendments.
- ↑ Massachusetts: Will be available once all of the mailing has been completed for 2012.
- ↑ "Candidate Info is posted on page after qualifying. When we have measures to be placed on the ballot, the guides are posted here."
- ↑ Ohio: In addition to this, according to state officials "we elected to send the insert (we printed overruns of the same thing that ran in the newspaper) to public libraries, county boards of elections, county departments of job and family services – all places where voters might look for the information." That additional cost was a little more than $8,900.
- ↑ Oregon: 2008 cost - $1,153,223 (general) + $436,191 (primary). 2006 cost - $1,226,040(general) + $368,221 (primary).
- ↑ The 2012 estimate was updated after email communication with Chris Barnett on September 25, 2012. Previous estimate was = "Roughly $150,000 for printing and mailing."
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