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State Ballot Measure Monthly: September 2025

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Ballot Measure Monthly
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September 10, 2025

By Ballot Measures Project staff

Welcome to the State Ballot Measure Monthly—covering the latest ballot measure certifications and news from August 14 to September 9.

In this edition, you will find the latest certifications and ballot measure updates for 2025 and 2026, historical comparisons of recent ballot measure data, and the top headlines from the month.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • California voters will be deciding on mid-cycle redistricting amendment in November—the first statewide ballot measure to appear in California during an odd-numbered year since 2005.
  • No new measures were certified for 2026 statewide ballots.
  • In 2025, state lawmakers enacted 72 bills related to the ballot measure process and direct democracy, the highest total since at least 2017.

    • Ballot measures by the numbers

    As of September 9, 30 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in nine states in 2025, and 55 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in 28 states for elections in 2026.

    Statewide ballot measures certified in 2025 by state

    2025 ballot measures

    See also: Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2025

    The tabs below display the measures certified and pending for elections in 2025.

    For elections in 2025, 30 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in nine states. One measure was certified between August 13 and September 9.

    California

    August 21, 2025

    • California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment: Proposition 50 would amend the California Constitution to allow the state to use a new, legislature-drawn congressional district map for 2026 through 2030. The new congressional district map is included in Assembly Bill 604 (AB 604). Proposition 50 would provide that the Citizens Redistricting Commission will redraw congressional districts in 2031.
      • California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) proposed allowing the California State Legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts ahead of elections in 2026. He said the ballot measure is intended to counter a mid-cycle redistricting proposal in Texas: "They’re not screwing around. We cannot afford to screw around either. We have got to fight fire with fire." The Texas State Legislature approved a new congressional redistricting plan on August 22.[1][2]

    2026 ballot measures

    See also: Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2026

    The tabs below display the measures certified and pending for elections in 2026.

    For elections in 2026, 55 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in 28 states. No measures were certified for the 2026 ballot between August 13 and September 9. To see the full list of certified ballot measures for 2026 by state, click here.

    Historical comparisons

    Certifications in 2025 compared to previous years by week

    The chart below shows the progression of statewide ballot measure certifications over the election cycle by year. The average number of measures certified at this point in the election cycle is 31, which is one greater than the number certified for the 2025 ballot.

    Certifications by month for even-numbered year elections

    The following heatmap shows the number of statewide ballot measures certified each month from 2012 through 2026, grouped by two-year election cycles leading up to even-numbered general elections. It highlights both the volume and timing of certifications, helping illustrate the overall rhythm of the ballot measure cycle. The bottom row displays the monthly averages across all years.

    Ballot Measures Certified by Month

    Ballot measures certified by year and month across two-year election cycles. Average is listed as the bottom row.


    Headlines

    • Ballot initiative analysis
      Democratic and Republican trifecta states have each averaged 19 ballot initiatives since 2010
      Democratic and Republican trifectas each averaged 19 ballot initiatives for even-numbered year elections between 2010 and 2024. States with divided governments averaged 15 initiatives. Among Democratic trifecta states, California had the most initiatives with 59. Democrats controlled California for all but one year—2010—when it was a divided government. Among Republican trifecta states, South Dakota had the most initiatives with 28. Republicans have controlled South Dakota for the last 15 years.
      Read More
    • Ballot law update
      State lawmakers enacted 72 bills on ballot measures and direct democracy in 2025, the highest total since at least 2017
      States have enacted 72 bills and resolutions concerning the three powers of direct democracy in the U.S.—the ballot initiative, referendum, and recall election—in 2025 through Aug. 8. The average number of bills and resolutions enacted per year from 2018 to 2024 was 35. While most bills are adopted during the first half of the year when state legislatures are in session, additional legislation can still be passed later in the year. This year’s total (72) is more than double the average (35) for 2018 to 2024. The total also surpasses the previous high of 41 in 2024.
      Read More


    See also

    Related articles

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ California Public Radio, "Governor Gavin Newsom says California must counter GOP efforts to redraw congressional maps," July 28, 2025
    2. ↑ Texas State Legislature, "House Bill 4," accessed August 23, 2025
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