Final statewide ballot measure count for 2014 strikingly low
September 8, 2014
All statewide ballot measures for 2014 are now finalized, with the official number - clocking in at 148 - setting record lows, particularly for an even-year election. Even-numbered election years traditionally have far more measures than their odd-numbered counterparts. Two years ago, in 2012, voters saw 188 statewide ballot questions. That number was lower than the 194 average for even-numbered years since 2000. With all statewide ballot measures finalized for the year, it's apparent 2014 is perpetuating this downward trend since 2006's peak of 226 measures. The last time the number of statewide ballot measures dipped below 150 was in 1986. For 2014, the number of questions on statewide ballots fell below the averages that have been maintained since the early-to-mid 1990s in 22 of the 41 states that feature measures.
This year is particularly notable for the low number of initiated measures. Though 616 initiatives were filed, only 35 will go before voters. The last time this number dipped below 36 was in 1974; the average number of initiated measures on the ballot since 1974 is 51. This year's low number of initiatives may be due to the dozens of regulations on the initiative process which have been enacted in recent years, making it tougher for supporters to qualify initiatives for the ballot. Statewide ballots in 2012 featured 50 initiatives, significantly more than the number of those certified in 2014. 2010 ballots boasted 46, slightly fewer than 2012 but still 11 more than this year.
In California, a state notorious for its robust ballots, 2014 marks the lowest number of ballot propositions ever to appear on a general election ballot since the initiative and referendum process was enacted in the state in 1911. Previously, 2002 and 1916 were tied for the lowest number of measures on the ballot, with just seven measures going before voters in each of these years. 2014 nearly matched this; however, the California Supreme Court threw Proposition 49 off the 2014 ballot, thereby bumping the total number of measures down to six and setting a new record low.[1]
Even legislatively referred constitutional amendments, which are the most prominent type of measure featured on state ballots this year, are light when compared to previous years. Statewide ballots in 2012 featured a total of 99 legislatively referred constitutional amendments and 2010 had 106. 2014's total is a mere 88.
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