Initiative petition signature validity rates

An initiative petition signature validity rate is the percent of signatures certified as valid by officials from the total number of raw signatures submitted by petitioners.

After initiative and referendum sponsors submit their raw signatures, the signatures for go through a verification process to determine how many of the submitted signatures are valid. State laws require different verification methods.

The following data is comprehensive (with certain exceptions) for certified initiative petitions between 2017 and 2025. It also contains a sampling of citizen-initiated measures from certain initiative petition efforts from 2006 through 2010 and 2016.

HIGHLIGHTS

From 2017 to 2025, Ballotpedia analyzed signature data for 187 initiatives.

The average signature validity rate for initiatives certified to appear on the ballot from 2017 to 2025 was 78.8%.

The average percent of raw signatures submitted was 142.0% of the required number of signatures.

Initiative Signature Data 2017-2025
Year	Average signatures required	Average submitted signatures	Average signatures deemed valid	Average signature validity rate	Average percent of number required
2025^[1]	67,682	125,772	116,591	93.0%	185.9%
2024^[2]	171,594	282,722	205,447	75.2%	160.9%
2023^[3]	146,888	238,740	165,496	76.1%	146.9%
2022^[4]	258,458	419,856	314,150	74.6%	123.0%
2021^[5]	109,241	171,858	124,938	74.2%	116.0%
2020^[6]	262,241	367,157	323,694	74.4%	165.5%
2019^[7]	194,717	282,690	243,768	86.3%	129.4%
2018^[8]	216,546	351,706	264,948	76.2%	124.3%
2017^[9]	129,879	226,145	161,303	79.5%	125.9%
Averages	173,027	274,072	213,371	78.8%	142.0%

Signature validity rates by year

Click on the tabs below to view signature validity and raw signature submission percentages for a given year.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2006-2010

Two initiatives were certified for the 2025 ballot. Both were in Maine. In total, campaigns for the two initiatives needed to gather 135,364 valid signatures to qualify the measures for the ballot.

The average signature validity rate (the number of signatures deemed valid out of the raw total number of submitted signatures) was 93.0% and the average percent of raw signatures submitted was 185.9% of the required number of signatures.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2025
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Maine Question 1	67,682	171,562	158,293^[10]	92.3%	253.5%
Maine Question 2	67,682	79,981	74,888	93.6%	118.2%
Averages	67,682	125,772	116,591	93.0%	185.9%

Note: The number of total raw signatures submitted by campaigns was unavailable for two initiatives in Florida and five initiatives in Massachusetts. Calculations on this page exclude data for these seven initiatives.

A total of 57 citizen-initiated ballot measures were certified for the 2024 ballot in 18 states. In total, campaigns for the seven initiatives needed to gather 10,797,774 valid signatures to qualify the measures for the ballot.

The average signature validity rate (the number of signatures deemed valid out of the raw total number of submitted signatures) was 75% and the average percent of raw signatures submitted was 161% of the required number of signatures.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2024
State	Measure	Required signatures	Total submitted	Signature validity rate	Valid signatures	Percent of number required
Alaska	Ballot Measure 1	26,705	31,719	93.51%	29,660	118.78%
Alaska	Ballot Measure 2	26,705	42,000	88.19%	37,040	157.27%
Arizona	Proposition 139	383,923	823,685	70.10%	577,403	214.54%
Arizona	Proposition 140	383,923	584,124	70.10%	409,471	152.15%
Arkansas	Issue 2	90,704	162,181	67.97%	110,234	178.80%
California	Proposition 32	623,212	1,062,568	69.50%	738,485	170.50%
California	Proposition 33	546,651	813,112	75.86%	616,827	148.74%
California	Proposition 34	546,651	926,922	72.21%	669,330	169.56%
California	Proposition 35	546,651	939,795	68.71%	645,733	171.92%
California	Proposition 36	546,651	910,441	71.62%	652,058	166.55%
Colorado	Amendment 79	124,238	187,147	85.45%	159,917	150.64%
Colorado	Amendment 80	124,238	198,450	66.12%	131,215	159.73%
Colorado	Proposition 127	124,238	187,147	78.83%	147,528	150.64%
Colorado	Proposition 128	124,238	202,130	73.03%	147,616	162.70%
Colorado	Proposition 129	124,238	207,182	68.25%	141,402	166.76%
Colorado	Proposition 130	124,238	185,889	74.37%	138,246	149.62%
Colorado	Proposition 131	124,238	209,648	67.30%	141,093	168.75%
Idaho	Proposition 1	62,895	94,795	79.11%	74,992	150.72%
Maine	Question 1	67,682	77,831	97.75%	76,080	115.00%
Missouri	Amendment 2	171,592	340,000	60.40%	205,360	198.14%
Missouri	Amendment 3	171,592	380,159	67.00%	254,707	221.55%
Missouri	Amendment 5	171,592	320,000	62.50%	200,000	186.49%
Missouri	Proposition A	107,246	210,000	75.30%	158,130	195.81%
Montana	CI-126	60,359	100,000	60.00%	60,000	165.68%
Montana	CI-127	60,359	100,000	60.00%	60,000	165.68%
Montana	CI-128	60,359	117,000	69.23%	80,999	193.84%
Nebraska	Initiative 434	123,465	205,000	66.34%	135,997	166.04%
Nebraska	Initiative 436	86,426	138,000	70.69%	97,552	159.67%
Nebraska	Initiative 437	86,426	114,367	78.66%	89,961	132.33%
Nebraska	Initiative 438	86,426	114,596	78.41%	89,855	132.59%
Nebraska	Initiative 439	123,465	207,000	65.70%	135,999	167.66%
Nebraska	Referendum 435	61,733	86,603	78.73%	68,183	140.29%
Nevada	Question 3	135,561	266,000	64.26%	170,932	196.22%
Nevada	Question 6	102,362	200,000	64.00%	128,000	195.39%
Nevada	Question 7	102,362	179,000	73.51%	131,583	174.87%
North Dakota	Initiated Measure 1	31,164	42,000	77.00%	32,340	134.77%
North Dakota	Initiated Measure 4	31,164	41,000	87.12%	35,719	131.56%
North Dakota	Initiated Measure 5	15,582	22,000	86.20%	18,964	141.19%
Ohio	Issue 1	413,488	731,306	77.29%	565,226	176.86%
Oregon	Measure 118	117,173	165,426	73.92%	122,283	141.18%
Oregon	Measure 119	117,173	156,533	76.98%	120,499	133.59%
South Dakota	Constitutional Amendment G	35,017	55,000	83.80%	46,090	157.07%
South Dakota	Constitutional Amendment H	35,017	46,500	84.47%	39,279	132.79%
South Dakota	Initiated Measure 28	17,509	25,782	86.55%	22,314	147.25%
South Dakota	Initiated Measure 29	17,509	29,030	77.70%	22,556	165.80%
South Dakota	Referred Law 21	17,509	34,000	92.00%	31,280	194.19%
Washington	Initiative 2066	324,516	533,005	81.05%	432,001	164.25%
Washington	Initiative 2109	324,516	436,474	82.11%	358,389	134.50%
Washington	Initiative 2117	324,516	466,072	77.69%	362,091	143.62%
Washington	Initiative 2124	324,516	427,481	82.28%	351,731	131.73%

The averages for 2024 signature validity are as follows:

Ballot initiative signature validity averages, 2024
Required signatures	Total submitted	Signature validity rate	Valid signatures	Percent of number required
171,594	282,722	75.18%	205,447	160.92%

Seven initiatives were certified for the 2023 ballot in three states. In total, campaigns for the seven initiatives needed to gather 1,018,989 valid signatures to qualify the measures for the ballot.

The average signature validity rate (the number of signatures deemed valid out of the raw total number of submitted signatures) was 76.09% and the average percent of raw signatures submitted was 149.37% of the required number of signatures.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2023
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Maine Question 1	67,682	93,837	68,807	73.33%	138.64%
Maine Question 2	63,067	80,749	67,550	83.65%	128.04%
Maine Question 3	63,067	80,154	69,735	87.00%	127.09%
Maine Question 4	67,682	83,252	74,686	89.71%	123.00%
Ohio Issue 1	413,488	710,131	495,938	69.84%	171.74%
Ohio Issue 2	249,092	459059	264,501	57.62%	184.29%
Oklahoma State Question 820	94,911	164,000	117,257	71.50%	172.79%
Averages	146,888	238,740	165,496	76.09%	146.89%

Thirty initiatives were certified for the 2022 ballot in 12 states. The average signature validity rate (the number of signatures deemed valid out of the raw total number of submitted signatures) was 74.60% and the average percent of raw signatures submitted was 122.95% of the required number of signatures.

Of the 30 initiated measures, 20 (66.67%) were approved and 10 (33.33%) were defeated.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2022
State	Initiative	Signatures required	Submitted signatures	Signatures deemed valid	Signature validity rate	Percent of number required
Arizona	Arizona Proposition 209, Interest Rate Limit on Debt from Healthcare Services and Collection Exempt Property and Earnings Increase Initiative (2022)	237,645	472,296	333,958	70.71%	140.53%
Arizona	Arizona Proposition 211, Campaign Finance Sources Disclosure Initiative (2022)	237,645	393,490	285,144	72.47%	119.99%
Arkansas	Arkansas Issue 4, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)	89,151	190,000	90,000	47.37%	100.95%
California	California Proposition 26, Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative (2022)	997,139	1,400,000	1,061,282	75.81%	106.43%
California	California Proposition 27, Legalize Sports Betting and Revenue for Homelessness Prevention Fund Initiative (2022)	997,139	1,568,835	1,142,317	72.81%	114.56%
California	California Proposition 28, Art and Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative (2022)	623,212	1,030,221	711,872	69.10%	114.23%
California	California Proposition 29, Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative (2022)	623,212	1,018,730	725,890	71.25%	116.48%
California	California Proposition 30, Tax on Income Above $2 Million for Zero-Emissions Vehicles and Wildfire Prevention Initiative (2022)	623,212	990,608	990,608	100.00%	158.95%
California	California Proposition 31, Flavored Tobacco Products Ban Referendum (2022)	623,212	1,023,529	782,078	76.41%	125.49%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 121, State Income Tax Rate Reduction Initiative (2022)	124,632	215,365	148,189	68.81%	118.90%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 122, Decriminalization and Regulated Access Program for Certain Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Initiative (2022)	124,632	225,140	138,760	61.63%	111.34%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 123, Dedicate State Income Tax Revenue to Fund Housing Projects Initiative (2022)	124,632	230,748	149,072	64.60%	119.61%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 124, Retail Liquor Store Licenses Initiative (2022)	124,632	225,440	149,799	66.45%	120.19%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 125, Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative (2022)	124,632	192,017	142,697	74.31%	114.49%
Colorado	Colorado Proposition 126, Alcohol Delivery Service Initiative (2022)	124,632	185,790	139,312	74.98%	111.78%
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Question 2, Medical Loss Ratios for Dental Insurance Plans Initiative (2022)	93,613	127,038	123,092	96.89%	131.49%
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Question 3, Changes to Alcohol Retail Licensing Initiative (2022)	93,613	111,893	109,289	97.67%	116.75%
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Question 4, Remove Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Driver's License Applications Referendum (2022)	40,120	100,000	71,883	71.88%	179.17%
Michigan	Michigan Proposal 2, Voting Policies in Constitution Amendment (2022)	425,059	669,972	507,780	75.79%	119.46%
Michigan	Michigan Proposal 3, Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative (2022)	425,059	753,759	596,379	79.12%	140.30%
Missouri	Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)	171,592	385,000	214,535	55.72%	125.03%
Nebraska	Nebraska Initiative 432, Photo Voter Identification Initiative (2022)	123,966	172,000	136,458	79.34%	110.08%
Nebraska	Nebraska Initiative 433, Minimum Wage Increase Initiative (2022)	86,776	152,000	97,245	63.98%	112.06%
Nevada	Nevada Question 3, Top-Five Ranked Choice Voting Initiative (2022)	135,561	266,000	170,941	64.26%	126.10%
North Dakota	North Dakota Constitutional Measure 1, Term Limits for Governor and State Legislators Initiative (2022)	31,164	46,366	32625	70.36%	104.69%
North Dakota	North Dakota Statutory Measure 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)	15,582	25,672	23,000	89.59%	147.61%
Oregon	Oregon Measure 113, Exclusion from Re-election for Legislative Absenteeism Initiative (2022)	149,360	184,680	155,343	84.11%	104.01%
Oregon	Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative (2022)	112,020	160,498	131,671	82.04%	117.54%
South Dakota	South Dakota Initiated Measure 27, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)	16,961	31586	25,023	79.22%	147.53%
South Dakota	South Dakota Constitutional Amendment D, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2022)	33,921	47,000	38,244	81.37%	112.74%
Averages	All 2022 measures	258,458	419,856	314,150	74.60%	122.95%

Three initiatives were on the ballot and were defeated in Colorado in 2021. One initiative was on the ballot and approved in Maine. The table below shows the signature validity rates and raw signature submission percentages.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2021
State	Initiative	Signatures required	Submitted signatures	Signatures deemed valid	Signature validity rate	Percent of number required	Outcome
CO	Colorado Proposition 119, Creation of Out-of-School Education Program and Marijuana Sales Tax Increase Initiative (2021)	124,632	203,335	145,076	71.35%	116.40%	d
CO	Colorado Proposition 120, Reduce Property Tax Rates and Retain $25 Million in TABOR Surplus Revenue Initiative (2021)	124,632	192562	138,567	71.96%	111.18%	d
CO	Colorado Amendment 78, Custodial Fund Appropriations Initiative (2021)	124,632	195,911	135,601	69.22%	108.80%	d
ME	Maine Question 1, Electric Transmission Line Restrictions and Legislative Approval Initiative (2021)	63,067	95,622	80,506	84.19%	127.65%	a

Including pre-November, November 3, and December election dates, a total of 129 statewide ballot measures were certified for the 2020 ballot in 34 states. Of those measures, 43 were citizen-initiated measures. The following chart shows the number of signatures that were required to qualify the initiative for the ballot, how many signatures were submitted by the campaign (which is often an estimated number provided by campaigns), and the number of signatures that were deemed valid by elections officials.

Note: The valid signature count for Nebraska initiatives 429, 430, and 431 was not available as of January 28, 2021. The number of signatures submitted for Florida amendments 2, 3, and 4 were not available as of January 28, 2021.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2020
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required	Outcome
Alaska Ballot Measure 1, North Slope Oil Production Tax Increase Initiative (2020)	28,501	44,624	39,174	87.79%	156.57%	d
California Proposition 15, Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative (2020)	997,139	1,748,647	1,304,491	74.60%	175.37%	d
California Proposition 20, Criminal Sentencing, Parole, and DNA Collection Initiative (2020)	365,880	567,452	430,617	75.89%	155.09%	d
California Proposition 21, Local Rent Control Initiative (2020)	623,212	987,991	749,984	75.91%	158.53%	d
California Proposition 23, Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative (2020)	623,212	1,012,034	739,291	73.05%	162.39%	d
California Proposition 25, Replace Cash Bail with Risk Assessments Referendum (2020)	365,880	576,822	465,438	80.69%	157.65%	d
Colorado Proposition 115, 22-Week Abortion Ban Initiative (2020)	124,632	186,313	153,204	82.23%	149.49%	d
Florida Amendment 3, Top-Two Open Primaries for State Offices Initiative (2020)	766,200	Unknown	776,144	N/A	N/A	d
Florida Amendment 4, Require Constitutional Amendments to be Passed Twice Initiative (2020)	766,200	Unknown	783,582	N/A	N/A	d
Maine Question 1, Religious and Philosophical Vaccination Exemptions Referendum (March 2020)	63,067	95,871	79,056	82.46%	152.01%	d
Massachusetts Question 2, Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (2020)	93,613	136,268	97,751	71.73%	145.57%	d
Oklahoma State Question 805, Criminal History in Sentencing and Sentence Modification Initiative (2020)	177,958	260,000	248,521	95.59%	146.10%	d
South Dakota Initiated Measure 26, Medical Marijuana Initiative (2020)	16,961	34,200	25,524	74.63%	201.64%	a
Washington Referendum 90, Sex Education in Public Schools Measure (2020)	129,811	264,637	239,496	90.50%	203.86%	a
South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)	33,921	50,000	36,707	73.41%	147.40%	a
Oregon Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative (2020)	112,020	156,009	116,622	74.75%	139.27%	a
Oregon Measure 109, Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative (2020)	112,020	160,963	106,908	66.42%	143.69%	a
Oklahoma State Question 802, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (June 2020)	177,958	313,000	299,731	95.76%	175.88%	a
Nevada Question 6, Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2020)	112,543	230,000	133,005	57.83%	204.37%	a
Nebraska Initiative 431, Tax on Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)	85,628	135,000	Unknown	Unknown	157.66%	a
Nebraska Initiative 430, Authorizing Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)	85,628	135,000	Unknown	Unknown	157.66%	a
Nebraska Initiative 429, Authorize Laws for Gambling at Racetracks Amendment (2020)	122,274	200,000	Unknown	Unknown	163.57%	a
Nebraska Initiative 428, Payday Lender Interest Rate Cap Initiative (2020)	85,628	120,000	94,468	78.72%	140.14%	a
Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)	25,468	52,000	35,458	68.19%	204.18%	a
Montana CI-118, Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment (2020)	50,936	80,000	52,315	65.39%	157.06%	a
Missouri Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (August 2020)	172,015	341,440	269,118	78.82%	198.49%	a
Mississippi Ballot Measure 1, Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A, Medical Marijuana Amendment (2020)	86,185	214,000	105,686	49.39%	248.30%	a
Massachusetts Question 1, "Right to Repair Law" Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative (2020)	93,613	129,634	97,835	75.47%	138.48%	a
Florida Amendment 2, $15 Minimum Wage Initiative (2020)	766,200	Unknown	770,458	N/A	N/A	a
Florida Amendment 1, Citizen Requirement for Voting Initiative (2020)	766,200	1,300,000	927,908	71.38%	169.67%	a
Colorado Proposition 118, Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative (2020)	124,632	205,660	137,999	67.10%	165.01%	a
Colorado Proposition 117, Require Voter Approval of Certain New Enterprises Exempt from TABOR Initiative (2020)	124,632	196,090	138,852	70.81%	157.34%	a
Colorado Proposition 116, Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative (2020)	124,632	198,538	140,058	70.54%	159.30%	a
Colorado Proposition 114, Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative (2020)	124,632	215,370	139,333	64.69%	172.80%	a
Colorado Proposition 113, National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum (2020)	124,632	228,832	183,673	80.27%	183.61%	a
Colorado Amendment 77, Allow Voters in Central, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek Cities to Expand Authorized Games and Increase Maximum Bets Initiative (2020)	124,632	209,885	138,232	65.86%	168.40%	a
Colorado Amendment 76, Citizenship Requirement for Voting Initiative (2020)	124,632	200,000	137,362	68.68%	160.47%	a
California Proposition 24, Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative (2020)	623,212	930,983	721,884	77.54%	149.38%	a
California Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2020)	623,212	987,813	765,555	77.50%	158.50%	a
California Proposition 14, Stem Cell Research Institute Bond Initiative (2020)	623,212	924,216	722,182	78.14%	148.30%	a
Arizona Proposition 208, Tax on Incomes Exceeding $250,000 for Teacher Salaries and Schools Initiative (2020)	237,645	387,422	253,046	65.32%	163.03%	a
Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)	237,645	428,481	255,080	59.53%	180.30%	a
Alaska Ballot Measure 2, Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting and Campaign Finance Laws Initiative (2020)	28,501	41,068	36,006	87.67%	144.09%	a

In 2019, a total of 32 statewide ballot measures were on ballots in nine states. Of those measures, two were citizen-initiated measures that were both on the ballot in Washington. One was defeated and the other was approved and later overturned by the state supreme court. Of signatures submitted by the campaigns, an average of around 86% were deemed valid.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2019
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required	Outcome
Washington Referendum 88, Vote on I-1000 Affirmative Action Measure (2019)	129,811	213,268	184,263	86.4%	141.95%	d
Washington Initiative 976, Limits on Motor Vehicle Taxes and Fees Measure (2019)	259,622	352,111	303,273	86.13%	116.81%	a/ot
Averages	194,717	282,690	243,768	86.3%	129.4%

A total of 167 statewide ballot measures were on 2018 ballots in 38 states. Of those measures, 68 were citizen-initiated measures. The sampling of data from 2018 includes 45 citizen-initiated measures in 20 states. Twenty-one were approved, and 24 were defeated. The average number of unverified signatures submitted was 1.6 times the average number of required signatures. On average, nearly three-quarters of the total signatures submitted were verified as valid.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2018
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required	Outcome
Florida Amendment 3, Voter Approval of Casino Gambling Initiative (2018)	766,200	1,000,000	843,312	84.33%	110.06%	a
Maine Question 1, Ranked-Choice Voting Delayed Enactment and Automatic Repeal Referendum (June 2018)	61,123	77,305	66,687	86.26%	109.10%	a
Massachusetts Question 3, Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum (2018)	32,375	50,000	34,231	68.46%	105.73%	a
Oregon Measure 101, Healthcare Insurance Premiums Tax for Medicaid Referendum (January 2018)	58,789	84,367	70,230	83.24%	119.46%	a
Arkansas Issue 4, Casinos Authorized in Crittenden, Garland, Pope, and Jefferson Counties Initiative (2018)	84,859	138,880	99,988	72.00%	117.83%	a
Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018)	766,200	900,000	799,278	88.81%	104.32%	a
Michigan Proposal 1, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2018)	252,523	365,384	277,370	75.91%	109.84%	a
Michigan Proposal 2, Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative (2018)	315,654	425,000	394,092	92.73%	124.85%	a
Michigan Proposal 3, Voting Policies in State Constitution Initiative (2018)	315,654	433,069	321,755	74.30%	101.93%	a
Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative (2018)	160,199	393,914	231,460	58.76%	144.48%	a
Nevada Question 6, Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2018)	112,543	230,000	133,005	57.83%	118.18%	a
North Dakota Measure 2, Citizen Requirement for Voting Amendment Initiative (2018)	26,904	35,000	32,000	91.43%	118.94%	a
California Proposition 11, Ambulance Employees Paid On-Call Breaks, Training, and Mental Health Services Initiative (2018)	365,880	657,744	515,539	78.38%	140.90%	a
Washington Initiative 1634, Prohibit Local Taxes on Groceries Measure (2018)	259,622	381,479	312,813	82.00%	120.49%	a
Washington Initiative 940, Police Training and Criminal Liability in Cases of Deadly Force Measure (2018)	259,622	359,895	302,321	84.00%	116.45%	a
California Proposition 12, Farm Animal Confinement Initiative (2018)	365,880	664,969	474,289	71.32%	129.63%	a
California Proposition 4, Children's Hospital Bonds Initiative (2018)	365,880	643,221	486,275	75.60%	132.91%	a
Utah Proposition 3, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2018)	113,143	165,000	147,280	89.26%	130.17%	a
Utah Proposition 4, Independent Advisory Commission on Redistricting Initiative (2018)	113,143	190,000	150,082	78.99%	132.65%	a
Nebraska Initiative 427, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2018)	84,908	133,000	104,477	78.55%	123.05%	a
South Dakota Initiated Measure 24, Ban Out-of-State Contributions to Ballot Question Committees Initiative (2018)	13,871	18,000	14,580	81.00%	105.11%	a
Arizona Proposition 305, Expansion of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Referendum (2018)	75,321	111,540	94,809	85.00%	125.87%	d
California Proposition 5, Property Tax Transfer Initiative (2018)	585,407	960,361	731,019	76.12%	124.87%	d
Maine Question 1, Payroll and Non-Wage Income Taxes for Home Care Program Initiative (2018)	61,123	67,000	64,842	96.78%	106.08%	d
Missouri Proposition A, Right to Work Referendum (August 2018)	100,126	321,467	250,327	77.87%	250.01%	d
South Dakota Initiated Measure 25, Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative (2018)	13,871	19,025	15,790	83.00%	113.83%	d
Arizona Proposition 127, Renewable Energy Standards Initiative (2018)	225,963	480,464	225,963	47.03%	100.00%	d
California Proposition 6, Voter Approval for Future Gas and Vehicle Taxes and 2017 Tax Repeal Initiative (2018)	585,407	963,905	754,352	78.26%	128.86%	d
Colorado Amendment 74, Compensation to Owners for Decreased Property Value Due to State Regulation Initiative (2018)	98,492	209,000	137,029	65.56%	139.13%	d
Colorado Amendment 75, Campaign Contribution Limits Initiative (2018)	98,492	212,332	136,328	64.21%	138.42%	d
Ohio Issue 1, Drug and Criminal Justice Policies Initiative (2018)	306,591	730,031	351,095	48.09%	114.52%	d
Oklahoma State Question 793, Right of Optometrists and Opticians to Practice in Retail Establishments Initiative (2018)	123,725	255,000	250,000	98.04%	202.06%	d
Oregon Measure 103, Ban Tax on Groceries Initiative (2018)	117,578	180,000	121,000	67.22%	102.91%	d
Oregon Measure 104, Definition of Raising Revenue for Three-Fifths Vote Requirement Initiative (2018)	117,578	174,006	124,428	71.51%	105.83%	d
Colorado Amendment 73, Establish Income Tax Brackets and Raise Taxes for Education Initiative (2018)	98,492	170,000	130,022	76.48%	132.01%	d
Alaska Ballot Measure 1, Salmon Habitat Protections and Permits Initiative (2018)	32,127	47,000	41,999	89.36%	130.73%	d
California Proposition 10, Local Rent Control Initiative (2018)	365,880	595,096	451,261	75.83%	123.34%	d
California Proposition 3, Water Infrastructure and Watershed Conservation Bond Initiative (2018)	365,880	604,805	463,896	76.70%	126.79%	d
California Proposition 8, Limits on Dialysis Clinics' Revenue and Required Refunds Initiative (2018)	365,880	569,259	405,037	71.15%	110.70%	d
Colorado Proposition 110, "Let's Go Colorado" Transportation Bond and Sales Tax Increase Initiative (2018)	98,492	195,499	118,259	60.49%	120.07%	d
Colorado Proposition 112, Minimum Distance Requirements for New Oil, Gas, and Fracking Projects Initiative (2018)	98,492	172,834	123,195	71.28%	125.08%	d
Idaho Proposition 1, Authorize Betting on Historical Horse Races Initiative (2018)	56,192	114,815	59,000	51.39%	105.00%	d
North Dakota Measure 3, Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative (2018)	13,452	17,695	14,637	82.72%	108.81%	d
Washington Initiative 1631, Carbon Emissions Fee Measure (2018)	259,622	349,063	289,373	82.90%	111.46%	d
Averages	216,546	351,706	264,948	76.20%	124.27%

In 2017, a total of 27 statewide ballot measures were on ballots in nine states. Of those measures, four were citizen-initiated measures. All are included in the table below. The sampling of data from 2017 includes four citizen-initiated measures from two states. Two were approved, and two were defeated. The average number of unverified signatures submitted was 1.6 times the average number of required signatures. On average, almost 80 percent of the signatures submitted were deemed valid.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2017
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Maine Question 1, Casino or Slot Machines in York County Initiative (2017)	61,123	99,518	87,000	87.42%	142.34%
Ohio Issue 2, Drug Price Standards Initiative (2017)	91,677	171,205	120,030	70.11%	130.93%
Maine Question 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2017)	61,123	70,302	66,434	94.50%	108.69%
Ohio Issue 1, Marsy's Law Crime Victim Rights Initiative (2017)	305,591	563,556	371,749	65.96%	121.65%
Averages	129,879	226,145	161,303	79.50%	125.90%

In 2016, a total of 162 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in 35 states. Of those measures, 76 were put on the ballot by citizens through signature petitions. The sampling of data from 2016 includes 15 citizen-initiated measures from nine states. Ten were approved, and five were defeated. The average number of unverified signatures submitted was 1.6 times the average number of required signatures. On average, three-quarters of the signatures submitted were certified as valid.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2016
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Alaska Voter Registration via the Permanent Fund Dividend Application, Ballot Measure 1 (2016)	28,545	42,000	36,907	87.87%	129.29%
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, Issue 6 (2016)	84,859	106,000	97,284	91.78%	114.64%
California Proposition 52, Continued Hospital Fee Revenue Dedicated to Medi-Cal Unless Voters Approve Changes (2016)	807,615	1,223,888	807,984	66.02%	100.05%
California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban (2016)	365,880	600,000	400,000	66.67%	109.33%
California Proposition 67, Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum (2016)	504,760	800,000	555,000	69.38%	109.95%
Maine Marijuana Legalization, Question 1 (2016)	61,123	100,000	51,543	51.54%	84.33%
Maine Tax on Incomes Exceeding $200,000 for Public Education, Question 2 (2016)	61,123	88,242	66,849	75.76%	109.37%
Maine Minimum Wage Increase, Question 4 (2016)	61,123	86,438	75,275	87.09%	123.15%
North Dakota Marsy's Law Crime Victim Rights, Initiated Constitutional Measure 3 (2016)	26,904	44,000	34,000	77.27%	126.38%
South Dakota Payday Lending Initiative, Initiated Measure 21 (2016)	13,870	19,936	17,222	86.39%	124.17%
Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016)	98,492	156,107	109,134	69.91%	110.80%
Maine Background Checks for Gun Sales, Question 3 (2016)	61,123	85,000	65,821	77.44%	107.69%
Montana Bonds to Fund Biomedical Research Authority, I-181 (2016)	24,175	39,000	24,970	64.03%	103.29%
Nebraska Death Penalty Repeal, Referendum 426 (2016)	56,708	166,692	143,000	85.79%	252.17%
North Dakota Tobacco Tax Increase, Initiated Statutory Measure 4 (2016)	13,452	22,840	21,698	95.00%	161.30%
Averages	151,317	238,676	167,112	76.79%	124.39%

The following selection of data includes 79 citizen-initiated measures in nine states from 2006 through 2010. From the 64 measures that qualified for the ballot, 23 were approved and 41 were defeated. Fifteen measures submitted signatures but did not qualify for the ballot. The average number of unverified signatures submitted was 1.8 times the average number of required signatures. On average, two-thirds of the total signatures submitted were verified as valid. These numbers include all measures approved, defeated, and those that did not qualify for the ballot.

2006

In 2006, a total of 226 statewide ballot measures were on the ballot in 37 states. Of those measures, 83 were citizen-initiated measures. The table below features 38 ballot measures with available signature data.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2006
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Arizona Humane Farms, Proposition 204 (2006)	122,612	219,774	178,507	81.22%	145.59%
Arizona Homeowners Protection, Proposition 207 (2006)	122,612	213,476	160,576	75.22%	130.96%
Arizona Minimum Wage, Proposition 202 (2006)	122,612	208,761	154,765	74.14%	126.22%
Arizona First Things First for Children, Proposition 203 (2006)	122,612	206,839	151,676	73.33%	123.70%
Arizona Smoke-Free Arizona, Proposition 201 (2006)	122,612	185,769	147,180	79.23%	120.04%
Missouri Minimum Wage Act, Proposition B (2006)	93,345	198,327	135,917	68.53%	145.61%
Missouri Stem Cell Research Act, Amendment 2 (2006)	150,496	307,597	209,766	68.20%	139.38%
Ohio Smoking Ban Direct initiative (2006)	96,870	184,290	114,517	62.14%	118.22%
Ohio Minimum Wage Initiative (2006)	322,899	756,054	363,183	48.04%	112.48%
Oregon Ballot Measure 39 (2006)	75,630	126,237	86,749	68.72%	114.70%
Oregon Ballot Measure 44 (2006)	75,630	116,337	83,409	71.70%	110.29%
Oregon Ballot Measure 47 (2006)	75,630	120,862	79,760	65.99%	105.46%
Arizona Protect Marriage, Proposition 107 (2006)	183,917	303,614	240,357	79.17%	130.69%
Arizona Non-Smoker Protection, Proposition 206 (2006)	122,612	220,181	154,187	70.03%	125.75%
Arizona Conserving Arizona's Future, Proposition 106 (2006)	183,917	303,278	230,030	75.85%	125.07%
Arizona Proposition 200, Arizonans for Voter Rewards (2006)	122,612	184,659	149,998	81.23%	122.34%
Arizona Right to Vote By Mail, Proposition 205 (2006)	122,612	185,007	138,593	74.91%	113.03%
Missouri Healthy Future Trust Fund Act, Amendment 3 (2006)	149,026	257,998	173,327	67.18%	116.31%
Nebraska Video Keno, Initiative Measure 421 (2006)	79,851	120,752	90,348	74.82%	113.15%
Nebraska Spending Limit Amendment, Initiative Measure 423 (2006)	114,074	166,361	126,689	76.15%	111.06%
Nebraska Dissolution of Class I School Districts Referendum, Initiative Measure 422 (2006)	57,037	94,512	87,006	92.06%	152.54%
Ohio Partial Smoking Ban (2006)	322,899	743,526	348,622	46.89%	107.97%
Ohio Casino Gambling (2006)	322,899	665,927	340,264	51.10%	105.38%
Ohio Smoking Ban Indirect Initiative (2006)	96,870	219,033	99,086	45.24%	102.29%
Oregon Ballot Measure 43 (2006)	75,630	111,948	94,407	84.33%	124.83%
Oregon Ballot Measure 42 (2006)	75,630	127,336	84,408	66.29%	111.61%
Oregon Ballot Measure 48 (2006)	100,840	154,094	109,031	70.76%	108.12%
Oregon Ballot Measure 45 (2006)	100,840	150,828	107,192	72.29%	108.12%
Oregon Ballot Measure 41 (2006)	75,630	120,612	79,167	65.64%	104.68%
Oregon Ballot Measure 40 (2006)	100,840	156,016	102,637	65.79%	101.78%
Oregon Ballot Measure 46 (2006)	100,840	152,127	101,489	66.71%	100.64%
Illinois Protect Marriage Initiative (2006)	100,840	152,127	101,489	66.71%	100.64%
Missouri Medicaid Reform Initiative (2006)	93,345	82,836	66,286	80.02%	71.01%
Nebraska Humane Care Initiative (2006)	114,074	144,028	109,780	76.22%	96.24%
Ohio Workers Compensation Referendum (2006)	193,740	346,326	180,033	51.98%	92.93%
Oregon Initiative 86 (2006)	75,630	91,401	62,085	67.93%	82.09%
Oregon Initiative 40 (2006)	100,840	106,338	81,058	76.23%	80.38%
Oregon Initiative 102 (2006)	75,630	79,469	57,338	72.15%	75.81%
Averages	130,224	223,170	145,713	71.58%	112.30%

2007

In 2007, a total of 43 statewide ballot measures were on ballots across 10 states. Of those measures, four were citizen-initiated measures. The table below features one measure with available signature data.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2007
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Ohio Adult Entertainment Referendum (2007)	241,365	613,587	181,808	29.63%	75.32%

2008

In 2008, a total of 174 statewide ballot propositions were voted on in 37 different states. Of those measures, 74 were citizen-initiated measures. The table below features 35 measures with available signature data. Click show to expand the table.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2008
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, 424 (2008)	115,704	174,136	136,681	78.49%	118.13%
Missouri Proposition C, Clean Energy Initiative (2008)	92,153	172,910	106,974	61.87%	116.08%
Missouri Proposition B, Home Care Initiative (2008)	92,356	186,682	123,338	66.07%	133.55%
Missouri Proposition A, Gambling Loss Limits Initiative (2008)	92,153	190,552	134,815	70.75%	146.29%
California Proposition 3 (2008)	433,971	684,892	469,967	68.62%	108.29%
Arizona Homeowners Bill of Rights, Proposition 201 (2008)	230,047	360,416	226,279	62.78%	98.36%
Ohio Payday Loan Referendum (2008)	241,365	610,925	279,174	45.70%	115.66%
Washington Initiative 1000 (2008)	224,880	317,272	278,343	87.73%	123.77%
Washington Initiative 1029 (2008)	224,880	318,047	257,809	81.06%	114.64%
Arizona Stop Illegal Hiring, Proposition 202 (2008)	153,365	290,236	188,709	65.02%	123.05%
Arizona Payday Loan Reform, Proposition 200 (2008)	153,365	272,057	169,366	62.25%	110.43%
Arizona Homeowners Bill of Rights (2008)	153,365	262,382	161,004	61.36%	104.98%
Arizona Majority Rules, Proposition 105 (2008)	230,047	391,412	226,504	57.87%	98.46%
Arizona Medical Freedom to Choose, Proposition 101 (2008)	230,047	348,621	218,113	62.56%	94.81%
California Proposition 92 (2008)	598,105	901,241	619,644	68.75%	103.60%
California Proposition 91 (2008)	598,105	857,935	605,610	70.59%	101.25%
Ohio Casino Approval and Tax Distribution, Amendment 6 (2008)	402,275	812,978	480,003	59.04%	119.32%
Oregon Ballot Measure 65 (2008)	82,769	119,142	89,892	75.45%	108.61%
Oregon Ballot Measure 25 (2008)	82,769	132,347	87,348	66.00%	105.53%
Oregon Ballot Measure 41 (2008)	110,358	176,609	113,851	64.47%	103.17%
Oregon Ballot Measure 40 (2008)	82,769	141,168	84,169	59.62%	101.69%
Oregon Ballot Measure 20 (2008)	82,769	128,613	83,724	65.10%	101.15%
Oregon Ballot Measure 21 (2008)	82,769	127,755	83,869	65.65%	101.33%
Oregon Ballot Measure 19 (2008)	82,769	124,476	83,248	66.88%	100.58%
Oregon Ballot Measure 3 (2008)	82,769	128,380	83,136	64.76%	100.44%
South Dakota Small Investors Protection Act (2008)	16,776	28,761	21,285	74.01%	126.88%
South Dakota Abortion Ban Initiative (2008)	33,551	47,583	42,004	88.28%	125.19%
South Dakota Open and Clean Government Act (2008)	16,776	27,544	19,268	69.95%	114.85%
Washington Reduce Traffic Congestion, Initiative 985 (2008)	224,880	301,711	247,916	82.17%	110.24%
Conserving Arizona's Water and Land (2008)	230,047	369,708	210,825	57.02%	91.64%
Arizona Transit Plan (2008)	153,365	260,698	138,451	53.11%	90.28%
Arizona Civil Rights Initiative (2008)	230,047	334,735	194,961	58.24%	84.75%
Missouri Eminent Domain Initiative Amendment to Article I (2008)	147,445	221,067	154,930	70.08%	105.08%
Missouri Eminent Domain Initiative Amendment to Article VI (2008)	147,445	213,225	150,822	70.73%	102.29%
South Dakota Protect Private Property Referendum (2008)	16,776	18,633	15,214	81.65%	90.69%
Averages	176,372	287,281	188,207	66.42%	108.43%

2009

In 2009, a total of 32 statewide ballot measures were on ballots in 7 states. Of those measures, four were citizen-initiated petitions. The table below features two measures that had available signature data.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2009
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
Ohio Casino Approval and Tax Distribution, Amendment 3 (2009)	402,275	902,450	452,956	50.19%	112.60%
Washington Initiative 1033 (2009)	241,153	315,444	277,149	87.86%	114.93%
Averages	321,714	608,947	365,053	69.03%	113.76%

2010

In 2010, a total of 184 statewide ballot questions were on ballots in 38 states. Of those measures, 50 were citizen-initiated measures. The table below features three measures with available signature data.

Ballot initiative signature validity rates, 2010
Measure	Signatures required	Signatures submitted	Valid signatures	Validity rate	Percent of number required
South Dakota Smoking Ban Referendum (2010)	16,776	25,400	18,320	72.13%	109.20%
South Dakota Medical Marijuana Act, Initiated Measure 13 (2010)	16,776	32,538	19,358	59.49%	115.39%
Ohio Slot Machines Veto Referendum (2010)	241,366	521,178	321,389	61.67%	133.15%
Averages	91,639	193,039	119,689	64.43%	119.25%

Footnotes

↑ In 2025, two initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.
↑ In 2024, 57 initiatives were on the ballot. Signature data for seven initiatives were unavailable.
↑ In 2023, seven initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.
↑ In 2022, 30 initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.
↑ All four initiatives on the 2021 ballot are represented here.
↑ In 2020, 43 initiatives were on the ballot. The valid signature count for Nebraska initiatives 429, 430, and 431 were not available. The number of signatures submitted for Florida amendments 2, 3, and 4 were not available.
↑ All two initiatives on the 2019 ballot are represented here.
↑ Of the 68 citizen-initiated measures on the 2018 ballot, Ballotpedia found 47 measures with available signature data.
↑ All four initiatives on the 2017 ballot are represented here.
↑ Due to the large number of signatures submitted, the secretary of state's office determined the validity rate of the submitted signatures based on approximately half of the data. These numbers are calculated assuming a uniform signature validity rate for all petition sheets submitted by initiative supporters. Click here to see more.

[1] In 2025, two initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.

[2] In 2024, 57 initiatives were on the ballot. Signature data for seven initiatives were unavailable.

[3] In 2023, seven initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.

[4] In 2022, 30 initiatives were on the ballot. All data is represented here.

[5] All four initiatives on the 2021 ballot are represented here.

[6] In 2020, 43 initiatives were on the ballot. The valid signature count for Nebraska initiatives 429, 430, and 431 were not available. The number of signatures submitted for Florida amendments 2, 3, and 4 were not available.

[7] All two initiatives on the 2019 ballot are represented here.

[8] Of the 68 citizen-initiated measures on the 2018 ballot, Ballotpedia found 47 measures with available signature data.

[9] All four initiatives on the 2017 ballot are represented here.

[10] Due to the large number of signatures submitted, the secretary of state's office determined the validity rate of the submitted signatures based on approximately half of the data. These numbers are calculated assuming a uniform signature validity rate for all petition sheets submitted by initiative supporters. Click here to see more.

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Initiative petition signature validity rates

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2009

2010

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