Ballot title

Laws governing ballot measures
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A ballot title is the official language that a voter sees for a ballot measure on the ballot.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says, "The ballot title and summary are arguably the most important part of an initiative in terms of voter education. Most voters never read more than the title and summary of the text of initiative proposals. Therefore, it is of critical importance that titles and summaries be concise, accurate and impartial."

HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting signature gathering for a veto referendum before the referendum's official ballot title is certified violates citizens' constitutional rights.

For citizen initiated measures, states differ with whether the ballot title is determined by the state government or by the sponsors that are advocating for the measure.

For citizen-initiated measures, states differ whether the measure is written before or after the circulation period.

Requirements by state for citizen-initiated measures

States differ in whether the ballot title is written before the circulation period or after.

States also differ with whether the ballot title is determined by the state government (a commission, a ballot title determination board, the Secretary of State, or some other Elections official) or whether the ballot title is determined by the sponsors that are advocating for the measure.

The following map provides information on ballot titles for states with citizen-initiated measures: