Initiative signature requirement changes caused by 2024 voter turnout

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Heading into 2025, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures will change in nine states. Turnout on November 5, 2024, caused signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures to change in seven states. Two other states will change their requirements based on the number of registered voters. The average change was a 12.47% increase. Changes ranged from a 4.81% decrease in Washington to a 36.79% increase in Wyoming.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Wyoming had the largest percent increase (+36.79%) in the number of signatures required. In Wyoming, the signature requirement is based on total ballots cast at the last election. In 2022, Wyoming had the largest percent decrease (-28.84%) based on the turnout at the midterm election.
  • Washington had the largest percent decrease (-4.81%).
  • New Mexico had the largest increase in the raw number of signatures required, with the requirement for veto referendums increasing from 71,475 to 92,829, an increase of 21,354.
  • Florida had the largest decrease in the raw number of signatures required, with the requirement for initiated constitutional amendments decreasing from 891,523 to 871,500, a decrease of 20,023.

    • Laws governing signature requirements

    See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures

    The number of signatures required for a citizen-initiated ballot measure is tied to another number, such as votes cast in an election. There are 26 states that allow for some form of statewide initiative or referendum, and these states calculate signature requirements as follows:

    • 13 states base signature requirements on the number of votes cast in the preceding mid-term cycle gubernatorial election or another state executive election.
    • Four states base requirements on the number of votes cast in the preceding presidential cycle gubernatorial election or the presidential election.
    • One state, Mississippi, bases its requirement on the number of votes cast in the preceding odd-numbered year gubernatorial election.
    • Four states base requirements on total turnout at a general election, both mid-term and presidential cycle elections.
    • One state, North Dakota, bases its requirement on the last decennial census.
    • Three states base requirements on the number of registered or active voters on various dates.

    Signature requirement changes

    The following graph illustrates changes to signature requirements following the election on November 5, 2024.

    States with requirements based on turnout in presidential or presidential-year gubernatorial elections

    Four states base their signature requirements on the number of ballots cast in a presidential or presidential-year gubernatorial election.

    State Pre-2024 Post-2024 Change (%)
    Constitutional Statute Constitutional Statute
    Florida 891,589 N/A 871,500 N/A -2.3%
    Missouri 171,592 107,246 185,152 115,720 7.9%
    Montana 60,359 30,180 60,240 30,120 -0.2%
    Washington N/A 324,516 N/A 308,911 -4.8%

    Signatures based on general election turnout

    Four states base their signature requirements on the number of ballots cast in a general election, both presidential and midterm election years.

    State Pre-2024 Post-2024 Change (%)
    Constitutional Statute Constitutional Statute
    Alaska N/A 26,705 N/A 34,098 27.7%
    Nevada 102,362 102,362 102,362 102,362 N/A
    New Mexico N/A 71,475 N/A 92,829 29.9%
    Wyoming N/A 29,730 N/A 40,669 36.8%

    Signatures based on population or number of registered voters

    Four states base their signature requirements on the state's population or the number of registered or active voters.

    • In North Dakota, the signature requirement is based on the decennial census.
    • In Idaho, the requirement is based on the number of registered voters as of the last general election.
    • In Nebraska, the requirement is based on the number of registered voters when signatures are submitted.
    • In Utah, the requirement is based on the number of active voters as of January 1 following the general election.
    State Pre-2024 Post-2024 Change (%)
    Constitutional Statute Constitutional Statute
    Idaho N/A 62,895 N/A 70,725 12.5%
    Nebraska N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
    North Dakota 31,164 15,582 31,164 15,582 N/A
    Utah N/A 134,298 N/A 140,748 4.8%

    Signatures based on mid-term cycle gubernatorial or another state executive election

    Twelve states base their signature requirements on the number of votes cast in mid-term gubernatorial elections. An additional state, Colorado, bases its requirement on the number of votes cast in the mid-term secretary of state election.

    State Pre-2024 Post-2024 Change (%)
    Constitutional Statute Constitutional Statute
    Arizona 383,923 255,949 383,923 255,949 N/A
    Arkansas 90,704 72,563 90,704 72,563 N/A
    California 874,641 546,651 874,641 546,651 N/A
    Colorado 124,238 124,238 124,238 124,238 N/A
    Illinois 328,371 N/A 328,371 N/A N/A
    Maine N/A 67,682 N/A 67,682 N/A
    Maryland N/A 60,157 N/A 60,157 N/A
    Massachusetts 74,490 86,905 74,490 86,905 N/A
    Michigan 446,198 356,958 446,198 356,958 N/A
    Oklahoma 172,993 92,263 172,993 92,263 N/A
    Ohio 413,488 248,092 413,488 248,092 N/A
    Oregon 156,231 117,173 156,231 117,173 N/A
    South Dakota 35,017 17,509 35,017 17,509 N/A

    Data

    See also

    Footnotes

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