What are they and why do they matter? Let’s break down what ballot measures are and how they affect our communities.
What is a ballot initiative?
Ballot initiatives (also called ballot measures or referendums) are questions that show up on your ballot, either for local or statewide votes. They let people (not just lawmakers) propose new laws or changes to the constitution. To get one on the ballot, organizers usually have to collect enough signatures from voters who support the idea.
If a majority of voters approve it, that becomes the new law or policy. This tool gets used across the political spectrum, in red, blue, and purple states, whenever people want to push through changes their elected officials have been ignoring or blocking.
Types of Ballot Measures
Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments
- People can propose changes to their state’s constitution and put them before voters. 17 states (including Colorado) allow this. Some go straight to voters, others pass through the legislature first.
Citizen-initiated state statutes
- Same idea, but for regular state laws instead of the constitution. 21 states (including Colorado) plus D.C. allow this, with the same direct-or-legislature-first options.
Legislatively-referred ballot measures
- Here, lawmakers (not citizens) decide to put a question on the ballot for voters to decide.
Veto referendums
- Allows voters to repeal or uphold a law that’s already passed. 23 states (including Colorado) plus D.C. allow this.
How does an initiative end up on the ballot?
Broadly speaking, there are two ways for initiatives to end up on the ballot:
- Citizen-Initiated: Volunteers and/or paid canvassers engage with their communities to collect petition signatures and qualify an initiative for a public vote.
- Legislatively-Referred: Measures can be referred to the ballot by state legislators.
To qualify an initiative for the ballot, a certain number of valid signatures must be collected by proponents. In Colorado, the required number of signatures is 124,238.
Let's talk supermajority requirements
Until the November 2016 election, citizen-initiated measures in Colorado did not require a supermajority for approval; they needed 50 percent plus one vote to pass. This included initiated state statutes, initiated constitutional amendments, and veto referendums.
On November 8, 2016, however, Colorado voters approved Amendment 71, an initiated constitutional amendment that imposed a 55 percent supermajority vote for constitutional amendments, including both initiated constitutional amendments and legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
Direct democracy gives power to the people
The citizen-initiative process, also known as direct democracy, gives voters the power to directly propose and pass new laws by putting them up for a vote.
Direct democracy is the will of the people. No matter who we are or where we’re from, we all want the freedom to make decisions on important issues that impact our lives. Direct democracy is an essential tool for passing people-centered policies at the state and local level.
Direct democracy is a critical part of building an inclusive, participatory, and thriving democracy. It is a process that is truly by the people and for the people.
Key Dates to Know
October 2nd
- Ballots begin arriving in the mail
October 9th
- Ballot drop boxes open
October 19th
- Voting centers open/ First day to vote in person
October 26th
- Last day to mail your ballot
November 3rd
- Election Day! Ballots must be received by 7pm
Need more information on voting in Colorado? Visit our Voter Information page to learn more! We invest in and intentionally engage Latine voters statewide, recognizing our power to shape elections and influence the policies that affect our lives.