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Pennsylvania 2015 ballot measures
Zero ballot measures were on the 2015 ballot in the state of Pennsylvania.
The 2015 legislative session began on January 6, 2015, and concluded on December 31, 2015.
Pennsylvania does not allow for initiatives or referendums; therefore, the only way for a measure to end up on a ballot is through the Legislature. A simple majority vote in both chambers of the Pennsylvania Legislature during two successive legislative sessions is required to refer an amendment to the ballot.
Two legislative proposals failed to reach the November 2015 ballot in Pennsylvania. One related to the Legislature's power to define "purely public charities." The other would have increased the state's mandatory judicial retirement age.
Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Purely Public Charities Amendment | Legislature | Authorizes the legislature to establish uniform standards and qualifications for organizations seeking to be considered “purely public charities” | 
|
| LRCA | Judicial Retirement Age Amendment | Judiciary | Increases the required age of retirement for judges from 70 to 75 |
|
Historical facts
- The last time a ballot measure appeared on an odd-year ballot in Pennsylvania was 2003.
- Between 2001 and 2015, an average of 0.5 measures have appeared on odd-year ballots in the state.
- From 2001 to 2015, the number of measures on odd-year statewide ballots has ranged from zero to two.
- Between 2001 and 2014, four of four, or 100 percent, of Pennsylvania ballot measures have been approved by voters.
- Conversely, zero of four, or zero percent, of measures have been defeated.
State profile
| Demographic data for Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 12,791,904 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 44,743 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 81.6% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 11% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.1% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 6.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.2% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 28.6% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $53,599 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 15.9% | 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 Pennsylvania. **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
Pennsylvania voted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the 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, three are located in Pennsylvania, accounting for 1.46 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. Pennsylvania had one Retained Pivot County and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 0.55 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Pennsylvania coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Pennsylvania
- United States congressional delegations from Pennsylvania
- Public policy in Pennsylvania
- Endorsers in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania fact checks
- More...
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pennsylvania 2015 Constitutional Amendment. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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