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How do initiatives work?
| Ballot Measure FAQs |
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| General FAQs |
| FAQs by state |
Question: How do ballot initiatives work?
Answer: Initiatives are proposed laws that are put on the ballot for voter consideration through people collecting signatures. If the initiative receives enough votes, then it becomes law. If the initiative fails to receive enough votes, it is considered rejected.
Details: As of 2025, 24 states allowed for ballot initiatives. Initiatives are different from legislative referrals—which are put on the ballot by a vote of state legislators—or other types of statewide ballot measures. The process of getting an initiative on the ballot varies by state, and there is no federal law that addresses the state initiative process. While each state requires people to collect signatures, the number of signatures, geographic distribution of signatures, and collection timeframe vary. The types of proposed laws permitted can also vary—some states allow for statutes and constitutional amendments, while others only allow for statutes or amendments. Clicking on states embedded in the map below will provide information on the initiative process in that state.
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