Ballot Measures, Initiatives, Propositions, Referenda? Huh?

What are ballot measures?

At the end of your ballot, you might find some issues or questions listed and the option to vote yes or no. These are called ballot measures — also known as referenda or public questions — and they let you give your input on state or local issues that range from changing the Illinois constitution to issuing bonds to help fund a new local library or suggesting that the state takes some particular action.

How do ballot measures get on my ballot?

Ballot measures get onto your ballot in one of two ways. Either lawmakers at the state or local level pass a resolution to put a measure on the ballot, or citizens collect signatures to put a measure on the ballot (that’s called the “initiative process”).

For lawmakers to use the resolution method, it’s pretty simple. They just need a majority vote to add a measure to the ballot. But, in Illinois, citizens have to collect signatures equivalent to 8% of the people who voted in the last gubernatorial election in the voting area to get something on the general election ballot. That means that using the initiative process to get a ballot measure on the 2018 general election ballot statewide would require collecting around 240,000 signatures.

But not all ballot measures need to be statewide, and a question could be posed to a smaller group of people. A ballot measure might even be targeted at a specific precinct, which could only require 40–50 signatures to get on the ballot!

What does a ballot measure do? Does it really matter?

Yes! This is direct democracy in action! Some things, like the Illinois Constitution can ONLY be changed through the referenda process.

You might have heard some rumblings recently from lawmakers about changing the state income tax system from a flat rate to a graduated rate — but before doing that, the state constitution would need to be changed and that, my friends, happens through a statewide referendum.

So how does it work?

There are two types of ballot measures: binding and advisory, and it will say on the ballot what kind each measure is.

If a ballot measure is binding then it takes immediate effect if it’s passed. At the state level, binding ballot measures are generally amendments to the state constitution, though lawmakers can create or change regular laws through a ballot measure as well. At the local level, binding resolutions are used to do things like combine units of government or issue bonds to fund a building project. If voters approve a binding ballot measure, then the consolidation happens or the bond gets issued, end of story.

If a ballot measure is advisory, instead changing the law, it instead lets elected officials know what constituents think about an issue. These are important too, though, since a clear indication about public opinion can influence lawmakers and be the first step leading to a change in law or regulation.

It’s a bit easier to get an advisory ballot measure on the ballot through a citizen-led initiative because, unlike a constitutional amendment, it doesn’t have to appear on ballots state-wide. Instead, organizers just have to collect signatures that equal 8% of voters in a particular city or city precinct in order to get the advisory question on the ballot for that local area. Local organizers got an advisory question about rent control on the ballot in a number of Chicago precincts for the 2018 primary election.

So there you have it. Be sure to check out all the measures that will be on your ballot during your ballot party!

Source material:

History of Ballot Measures in Illinois: http://www.iandrinstitute.org/states/state.cfm?id=9

Illinois State Election Code: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=001000050HArt%2E+28&ActID=170&ChapterID=3&SeqStart=92900000&SeqEnd=94400000

Chicago Election Code: https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/2018-Advisory-Referenda-Guidelines.pdf