New York voters have decided on 430 statewide measures since 1821: a look at the state ballot measure history
New York voters have decided on 430 statewide ballot measures since 1821, with 73% approved and 27% defeated. Unlike many states, New York citizens cannot initiate ballot measures directly; only the state legislature can refer measures to voters. This historical overview provides context for the state's direct democracy processes.
Key Points
- 316 of 430 measures (73%) passed while 114 (27%) were defeated since 1821
- New York restricts ballot measure initiation to the state legislature only, preventing citizen-initiated measures
- The state has over 200 years of ballot measure history shaping New York governance