What are ballot measures? What do they mean for you?

Ballot Measures Database

The Ballot Measure Database is part of the much larger National Conference of State Legislatures website. This database "includes all statewide ballot measures, starting over a century ago" from all types of state elections: General, Primary, and Special.

New ballot measures are added to the database when they qualify to be listed on a state's ballot. They are marked "Pass" or "Fail" as soon as election results are available. Browse by State and/or Topic and limit by date. This is a very useful site for anyone interested in locating state issues that have appeared on a state ballot in the last 100 plus years.

Here is an example of recent ballot measures in California in the areas of drugs/alcohol/ and tobacco policy (Source: NCSL):

Cigarette Tax Increase Amendment

Proposition 56

Election: General - 2016
Type: Initiative
Status: Pass (Yes votes: 62.9% unofficial)
Topic Areas: Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Policy | Health | Tax & Revenue

Summary: Click for Summary

Increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. Allocates revenues primarily to increase funding for existing healthcare programs; also for tobacco use prevention/control programs, tobacco-related disease research and law enforcement, University of California physician training, dental disease prevention programs, and administration. Excludes these revenues from Proposition 98 funding requirements. If tax causes decreased tobacco consumption, transfers tax revenues to offset decreases to existing tobacco-funded programs and sales tax revenues. Requires biennial audit.

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Legalization of Marijuana for Adults Over 21

Proposition 64

Election: General - 2016
Type: Initiative
Status: Pass (Yes votes: 55.8% unofficial)
Topic Areas: Business & Commerce | Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Policy | Tax & Revenue

Summary: Click for Summary

Legalizes marijuana and hemp under state law. Designates state agencies to license and regulate marijuana industry. Imposes state excise tax on retail sales of marijuana equal to 15% of sales price, and state cultivation taxes on marijuana of $9.25 per ounce of flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves. Exempts medical marijuana from some taxation. Establishes packaging, labeling, advertising, and marketing standards and restrictions for marijuana products. Allows local regulation and taxation of marijuana. Prohibits marketing and advertising marijuana to minors. Authorizes resentencing and destruction of records for prior marijuana convictions