Ballot Integrity: A Broken System In Need of Solutions

Introduction

Americans deserve a citizen initiative process that serves them. Unfortunately, the 24 states that provide citizens with the opportunity for direct democracy are letting special interests and corrupt signature gathering firms highjack and take advantage of a broken system badly in need of fundamental reform.

Every election cycle, voters are asked to weigh in on hundreds of initiatives and referendums. In fact, over the last ten years citizens across the country have voted on over 1,500 initiatives and referenda with well over one billion dollars raised and spent on the passage or defeat of issues that have a real impact on people’s lives.

In recent years, in state after state, the integrity of the system has been increasingly undermined by a lack of standards, transparency, accountability, and oversight.

Citizens, their state laws, and constitutions deserve better.

Contents 2 About Ballot Initiative Strategy Center 3 Introduction 3 Background 4 What Is Ballot Measure Fraud? 4 10 Things You Should Know About Initiative Campaign Circulators 5 Common Sense State Reforms 7 Key Findings 7 Report Methodology State by State Report Card 11 12 Alaska 13 Arizona 15 Arkansas 16 California 18 Colorado 20 Florida 21 Idaho 23 Illinois 24 Maine 26 Massachusetts 28 Michigan 29 Mississippi 31 Missouri 32 Montana 34 Nebraska 36 Nevada 37 North Dakota 39 Ohio 41 Oklahoma 42 Oregon 44 South Dakota 46 Utah 47 Washington 49 Wyoming