{"id":351458,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/what-is-a-citizen-ballot-measure.html"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:12:00","slug":"what-is-a-citizen-ballot-measure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/what-is-a-citizen-ballot-measure.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Citizen Ballot Measure?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is a Citizen Ballot Measure?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Citizen ballot measures<\/span>\u2014often called initiatives, propositions, or referendums<\/span>\u2014allow residents to vote directly on policies ranging from taxes and voting rules to social issues. Because each state sets its own rules for petitions, eligibility, and signature requirements<\/span>, the steps to qualify a measure for the ballot can vary widely.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The term “citizen ballot measure<\/span>” describes citizen-initiated<\/span> processes to:<\/p>\n