What is a ballot measure?

This fall, candidates won’t be the only thing on the ballot. In dozens of states across the country, voters will also get the chance to cast votes on whether to legalize recreational marijuana, allow concealed carry handguns in schools, or spend more money on infrastructure. The mechanics of these ballot measures vary widely state by state but they all allow voters to directly voice their opinions on an issue or a policy, rather than a person.

So, in the next few weeks, we here at BallotReady are going to be covering all kinds of 2016 ballot measure proposals, from Colorado’s minimum wage fight to California’s municipal bonds. We’ll also be looking to answer some basic questions about the ballot measure process. Why do some states have ballot measures and others don’t? How do you get a proposal onto the ballot? Who actually goes out and collects hundreds of thousands of signatures?

In our first post in the series, we’ll be exploring the ongoing, decade-long battle for medical marijuana legalization in Montana and how pro-legalization groups are using statewide ballot initiatives to combat the state legislature.

BallotReady is the only nonpartisan online voter guide that provides personalized, easy-to-use, and accessible information about your ballot. From the top of the ticket to the very bottom, BallotReady helps voters compare candidates based on stances on issues, biography, and endorsements. We make it easy to vote informed on every race and referendum.

By Eileen Li, BallotReady Blog Intern