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State Ballot Measure Monthly: October 2023
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By Ballot Measures Project staff
This edition of the State Ballot Measure Monthly covers the certified Nov. 2023 state ballot measures, as well as an update on certifications for 2024 from Sept. 13 through Oct. 10.
Nationally, 41 ballot measures were certified in eight states for elections in 2023, which is the most for an odd-numbered year since 2007, when 43 measures were on statewide ballots. Voters in five states will decide on 28 of those statewide ballot measures at the general election on Nov. 7.
Ballotpedia's top 10 ballot measures to watch
On Oct. 12, Ballotpedia released a top 10 ballot measures to watch report on this year's Nov. 2023 ballot measures. To read the full report, click here.
Voters in five states will decide on 28 statewide ballot measures at the general election on November 7—the highest number of state ballot measures for an odd-numbered year since 2007. This year's ballot measures address issues like abortion, marijuana, utilities, taxes, and state constitutional rights.
Overall, 41 statewide ballot measures are certified for the ballot in eight states in 2023. To see a list of statewide ballot measures on the ballot in 2023, click here.
- Earlier in 2023, voters in three states decided on five ballot measures. Voters approved three and rejected two of these measures.
- On October 14, voters in Louisiana will decide on four constitutional amendments, including Amendment 1, which is related to private financing of election administration, and Amendment 2, which is related to state constitutional rights regarding places of worship.
- On November 18, which is the last statewide ballot measure election of 2023, voters in Louisiana will decide on an additional four constitutional amendments.
We've compiled a list of 10 statewide ballot measures to watch on Nov. 7, 2023. Click on the following links to read more about each ballot measure. The list order is based on state, topics, or similar issues.
- Ohio Issue 1: Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative
- Ohio Issue 2: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
- Maine Question 3: Pine Tree Power Company Initiative
- Maine Question 1: Voter Approval of Borrowing Above $1 Billion by State Entities and Electric Cooperatives Initiative
- Maine Question 2: Prohibit Foreign Spending in Elections Initiative
- Maine Question 4: "Right to Repair Law" Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative
- Texas Proposition 1: Right to Farming, Ranching, Timber Production, Horticulture, and Wildlife Management Amendment
- Texas Proposition 3: Prohibit Taxes on Wealth or Net Worth Amendment
- Colorado Proposition HH: Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure
- Local Ballot Measures: Ranked-Choice Voting
Trends
Topics
- Abortion: In 2022, following Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, there were six ballot measures addressing abortion, including three constitutional amendments to establish a state constitutional right to abortion. Voters approved each one. In 2023, there is one—Ohio Issue 1, the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative.
- See also: History of abortion ballot measures
- Marijuana: Heading into November, marijuana is legal in 23 states and D.C. Fourteen (14) of those 23 states had legalized marijuana through the ballot measure process. Voters in Ohio will decide on Issue 2, which would legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana in the state. About 49.07% of the U.S. population lives in a state where marijuana is legal. Approval of Ohio Issue 2 would increase that percentage to 52.56%.
- Ranked-Choice Voting: Voters in four local jurisdictions decide ranked-choice voting measures on Nov. 7. Three are to adopt RCV, and one is to repeal the electoral system. Since 1965, voters have decided on 63 local ballot measures related to RCV. Voters have approved 80.70% of the local measures to adopt RCV and 50.00% of those to repeal RCV.
Campaign finance
- See also: Ballot measure campaign finance, 2023
Ballotpedia identified $189.82 million in contributions to support or oppose statewide measures on ballots in 2023, which was more than the previous three odd-numbered year election cycles.
The following graph shows the total contributions to state ballot measure committees in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
The ballot measure to see the most contributions was Ohio Issue 1, the 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure, which was on the ballot in August. For Nov. 7, 2023, the ballot measure to feature the most campaign contributions was Maine Question 3, the Pine Tree Power Company Initiative. Supporters received $1.07 million, whereas opponents received $35.2 million.
The campaigns surrounding the following five ballot measures had received the most contributions:
| Measure | Support | Opposition | Total | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Issue 1, Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative | $53,825,871 | $36,086,325 | $89,912,196 |  |
| Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure | $23,554,336 | $22,023,777 | $45,578,113 |  |
| Maine Question 3, Pine Tree Power Company Initiative | $1,208,361 | $39,965,654 | $41,174,015 | |
| Maine Question 1, Voter Approval of Borrowing Above $1 Billion by State Entities and Electric Cooperatives Initiative | $24,943,829 | $0 | $24,943,829 | |
| Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative | $6,739,421 | $927,900 | $7,667,321 | |
2024 certifications
- See also: Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2024
From September 13 through October 11, two statewide measures were certified for the ballot in Colorado and Nebraska for the election on November 5, 2024.
October 6, 2023:
- Colorado Cap on Property Tax Revenue Initiative: The citizen-initiated ballot measure would cap the state's property tax revenue at 4% over the previous year's total revenue. It would also provide for local governments to retain property tax revenue exceeding the 4% limit with voter approval. Any measures referred to the ballot seeking voter approval to retain property tax revenue would read, "Shall property tax revenue be increased by [total projected increase over the preceding year] allowing government to retain and spend property tax revenue above the 4% annual limit on property tax increases for [dates X to X]?"[1] On Oct. 6, the secretary of state's office announced that 172,231 valid signatures were filed for the initiative, which was above the requirement of 124,238.[2]
November 10, 2023:
- Nebraska Education Scholarships Tax Credit Referendum: The veto referendum would repeal Legislative Bill 753 (LB 753), which authorized tax credits for taxpayers who contribute to education scholarships for students to attend private schools. Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 753 on May 30, 2023, saying, "[W]e all believe that every Nebraska kid should have the opportunity to have their educational needs met, whether they live in Omaha or Scottsbluff. This law ensures that we are funding students, not systems."[3] Support Our Schools Nebraska is leading the referendum campaign. The campaign's website stated, "Voucher tax schemes like LB753 funnel money away from our already-underfunded public schools and children and give tax dollars to private schools, including those that discriminate against children and their families."[4] Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) announced that 91,861 signatures were valid, surpassing the required 61,308, on Nov. 10.[5]
See also
- 2023 ballot measures
- Ballot initiatives filed for the 2023 ballot
- Ballot Measure Scorecard, 2023
- Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2023
Related articles
Footnotes
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Initiative 50," accessed September 11, 2023
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Statement of Sufficiency - Proposed Initiative 2023-2024 #50," accessed October 6, 2023
- ↑ Nebraska Governor, "Governor Pillen Signs Historic School Choice Bill," May 30, 2023
- ↑ Support Our Schools Nebraska, "Homepage," accessed October 11, 2023
- ↑ WOWT, "Nebraskans will vote on whether to repeal ‘school choice’," October 10, 2023
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