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New Jersey 2015 ballot measures
Zero statewide ballot measures are on the 2015 ballot in the state of New Jersey.
New Jersey does not provide for initiatives or referendums. The state allows only legislatively referred constitutional amendments to appear on the ballot. In other words, a constitutional amendment appears on the state's ballot as a ballot measure because the state legislature voted to put it before the voters. Specifically, this requires supermajority vote of 60 percent from both houses of the legislature. Measures can also qualify for the ballot if the same amendment is approved in successive sessions by a simple majority. The New Jersey Legislature failed to refer any amendments to the 2015 ballot by the deadline on August 3, 2015.
The 2015 legislative session began on January 13, 2015, and was projected to conclude on December 31, 2015.
Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Northern Casinos Amendment | Gambling | Allows the operation and establishment of three casinos in Bergen, Essex or Hudson counties | 
|
| LRCA | Pollution Settlements Amendment | Environment | Guarantees that revenue from pollution settlements be dedicated to environmental restoration and protection |
|
| LRCA | Elected Attorney General Amendment | State Exec | Makes the position of Attorney General an elected position |
|
| LRCA | Marriage Amendment | Marriage | Defines marriage as between one man and one woman, thus effectively terminating same-sex marriage |
|
| LRCA | Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment | Hunt & Fish | Establishes the right to hunt, fish, trap and harvest game animals |
|
| LRCA | Voter Approval of Indebtedness Amendment | Bonds | Modifies voter approval requirements for state indebtedness |
|
| LRCA | Housing Rights and Opportunities Amendment | Housing | Clarifies that the state is not obligated to facilitate the availability of housing for all income levels |
|
| LRCA | Public Schools Support Amendment | Gov't Finances | Provides for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools |
|
| LRCA | Tax Bill Supermajorities Amendment | Legislature | Requires a three-fifths majority vote in the state legislature for all tax bills |
|
| LRCA | Right to Privacy from Government Intrusion Amendment | Constitutional Rights | Guarantees the right of the people to privacy from government intrusion |
|
| LRCA | Indicted Elected Officials Amendment | Gov't Acc | Suspends elected officials who have been indicted and provides for temporary replacements |
|
Historical facts
- Between 1995 and 2014, an average of two measures have appeared on odd-year ballots in New Jersey.
- From 1995 to 2015, the number of measures on statewide ballots has ranged from zero to four.
- Between 1995 and 2014, 21 of 23, or 91.3 percent, of New Jersey ballot measures have been approved by voters.
- Conversely, 2 of 23, or 8.7 percent, of measures have been defeated.
State profile
| Demographic data for New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 8,935,421 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 7,354 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 68.3% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 13.5% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 9% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 19% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 88.6% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 36.8% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $72,093 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 12.7% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New Jersey. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in New Jersey
New Jersey voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, two are located in New Jersey, accounting for 0.97 percent of the total pivot counties.[1]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. New Jersey had one Retained Pivot County and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 0.55 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More New Jersey coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in New Jersey
- United States congressional delegations from New Jersey
- Public policy in New Jersey
- Endorsers in New Jersey
- New Jersey fact checks
- More...
See also
- 2016 ballot measures
- New Jersey History of I & R
- Amending the New Jersey Constitution
- List of New Jersey ballot measures
External links
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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