2009 ballot measures
2009 U.S. State Ballot Measures | |
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32 statewide ballot measures were on 2009 ballot in 7 states.
Three states -- Maine, Ohio and Washington -- of the several dozen states with initiative or referendum offer this option in odd-numbered years. In each of the three states, the petition process was used to qualify measures for the ballot that are traditional hot-button issues, including marriage, taxes, casinos, school consolidation, and marijuana.
In 2009, there were two veto referendums — Referendum 71 in Washington and Question 1 and Question 3 in Maine.
Number of measures
2009 was a year with a somewhat lower-than-average number of measures on the ballot. Going back to 1989, the average number of measures on the ballot in an odd-numbered year is 45.
Year | States | Measures |
---|---|---|
2021 | 9 | 39 |
2019 | 8 | 36 |
2017 | 9 | 27 |
2015 | 9 | 28 |
2013 | 6 | 31 |
2011 | 9 | 34 |
2009 | 7 | 32 |
2007 | 10 | 45 |
2005 | 13 | 47 |
2003 | 15 | 68 |
2001 | 9 | 39 |
1999 | 16 | 72 |
1997 | 8 | 44 |
1995 | 11 | 61 |
1993 | 15 | 62 |
1991 | 9 | 48 |
1989 | 13 | 77 |
1987 | 13 | 78 |
Averages: | 11 | 48 |
Summary of results
The charts below includes election results of all statewide ballot measures in 2009.
2009 BALLOT MEASURE STATS | ||||
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Approved | Defeated | Total | ||
22 (69%) | 10 (31%) | 32 |
Ballot measures initiated by the voters | ||||
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Type of ballot measure | Approved | Defeated | Total | |
Citizen-initiated constitutional amendment | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Citizen-initiated statute | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
Veto referendum | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
Total | 4 (50%) | 4 (50%) | 8 |
Legislative and other referrals | ||||
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Type of ballot measure | Approved | Defeated | Total | |
Legislatively-referred constitutional amend | 16 | 4 | 20 | |
Legislatively-referred statute | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Bond issues | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 18 (75%) | 6 (25%) | 24 |
May statewide
California
In order to free up $5.8 billion to help close the state's $42 billion budget gap, a special election took place on May 19 where voters statewide voted on a package of constitutional amendments.[1]
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
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LRCA | Proposition 1A | Taxes | Extends tax increases passed under the February 2009 budget bill for one to two years resulting in an expected increase to state tax revenue by $16 billion | |
LRCA | Proposition 1B | Budget | Makes supplemental appropriations for K-12 schools and community colleges annually beginning in 2011-12 until reaching a total of $9.3 billion; dependent on approval of Proposition 1A | |
LRCA | Proposition 1C | Budget | Authorizes borrowing against future lottery proceeds; repeals the requirement that lottery revenue be used only for education; revises lottery management details | |
LRSS | Proposition 1D | Budget | Redirects $268 million in annual tobacco tax revenue currently earmarked for First Five early childhood development programs under the terms of Proposition 10 (1998) to other health programs for children aged five and under | |
LRSS | Proposition 1E | Budget | Redirects funds from Proposition 63 of 2004 for a two-year period ($226.7 million in 2009-10 and between $226.7 million and $234 million in 2010-11) to support mental health programs through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program | |
LRCA | Proposition 1F | Budget | Prohibits pay increases for state legislators and certain state executive officials in years that the state is experiencing a budget deficit |
November statewide
Maine
- See also: Maine 2009 ballot measures
November 3
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
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VR | Question 1 | Marriage & Family | Repeals an act allowing same-sex marriages | |
IndISS | Question 2 | Taxes | Reduces excise taxes on vehicles that meet certain energy efficiency requirements | |
IndISS | Question 3 | Education | Repeals the law mandating school district restructuring | |
IndISS | Question 4 | Taxes | Limits increases in government spending to inflation and population increases | |
IndISS | Question 5 | Marijuana | Creates nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries and identification cards | |
BI | Question 6 | Bonds | Issues $71.25 million in bonds for transportation programs and improvements | |
LRCA | Question 7 | Direct Democracy | Increases the amount of time for municipalities to certify initiative petition signatures |
New Jersey
- See also: New Jersey 2009 ballot measures
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Status |
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LRSS | Open Space Bonds | Bond issues | $400 million for open space, farmland, historic areas |
New York
- See also: New York 2009 ballot measures
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Status |
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LRCA | Proposal 1 | Environment | Retroactively approve power line along State Route 56 on six acres of forest preserve lands | |
LRCA | Proposal 2 | Admin of gov't | Allow prisoners to perform volunteer work for nonprofit organizations |
Ohio
- See also: Ohio 2009 ballot measures
November 3, 2009
Type | Title | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
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Issue 1 | Authorize the issuance of bonds to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts |
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2,277,521 (72%) |
876,520 (28%) |
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Issue 2 | Establish the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to establish and implement standards of care for livestock and poultry |
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2,020,851 (64%) |
1,148,538 (36%) |
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Issue 3 | Authorize one casino facility within certain cities, levy a fixed tax of 33% of gross casino revenue, and establish the distribution of tax revenue |
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1,713,288 (53%) |
1,519,636 (47%) |
Texas
- See also: Texas 2009 ballot measures
November 3
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
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LRCA | Proposition 1 | Gov't finances | Authorizes the acquisition of open spaces adjacent to military installations | |
LRCA | Proposition 2 | Taxes | Provides for the taxation of a residence on basis of value | |
LRCA | Proposition 3 | Property | Provides for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property | |
LRCA | Proposition 4 | Education | Establishes the national research university fund | |
LRCA | Proposition 5 | Taxes | Authorizes a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities | |
LRCA | Proposition 6 | Bonds | Issues bonds in amounts equal to or less than previously authorized | |
LRCA | Proposition 7 | Admin of gov't | Allows members of the state militia to hold other civil offices | |
LRCA | Proposition 8 | Veterans | Authorizes the state to give money to veterans hospitals | |
LRCA | Proposition 9 | Property | Protects the right of the public to access public beaches | |
LRCA | Proposition 10 | Term limits | Provides that members of board of emergency service districts have four year term limits | |
LRCA | Proposition 11 | Eminent domain | Limits the taking private property for public use |
Washington
- See also: Washington 2009 ballot measures
November 4
Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
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ITP | Initiative 1033 | Taxes | Limits growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth | |
VR | Referendum 71 | Marriage | Expands the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded to state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses |
Hundreds of local measures
- See also: Local ballot measure elections in 2009
Local ballot measures were on the November 3, 2009 ballot in at least 29 states.
See also
- 2009 ballot measure calendar
- Ballot measure petition deadlines and requirements, 2009
- Polls, 2009 ballot measures
- How to find campaign finance information about ballot measure campaigns
- Six states prepare to face off in November 3rd elections
External links
- State Net's list of the 2009 ballot measures
- USA Today, "State ballots tackle controversial issues Tuesday," November 1, 2009
- Daily Kos, "Election Night 2009: A Viewer's Guide," November 1, 2009
- Initiative & Referendum Institute, "Ballotwatch 2009," October 17, 2009
Footnotes
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