- Slug: Ballot Initiative Language. 550 words.
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By Sona Gevorgyan
Special for Cronkite News
PHOENIX – Ballot initiatives allow citizens to vote on new laws. As a result, voters have a direct say in how the government operates.
In Arizona, voters will have a say on key issues like abortion access, immigration and the state minimum wage through the 13 propositions on their ballots. Research has shown ballot wording impacts voters’ decisions.
According to a 2019 study published in the journal Electoral Studies, simple ballot language can lead to an incomplete representation of initiatives.
A more recent study in the journal Political Communication revealed voters are more likely to vote for something when they easily understand the words used in a ballot measure.
The 2010 Plain Writing Act requires government documents for the public must be written in clear language. It is a voter’s civil right. To vote meaningfully, they need to understand what is being asked of them.
What does the ballot initiative process look like?
While initiative processes may vary across states, common procedures include filing the initiative, gathering signatures and verification of the particular petition.
To have a ballot initiative in Arizona, these components are required:
- Advocates create a draft initiative explaining the changes they want to make to existing laws. “You want to frame it in a way that appeals to people who will be willing to support it,” said Kenicia Wright, an assistant professor at the Arizona State University School of Politics and Global Studies.
- This initiative goes through a legal review to ensure it complies with state laws.
- Volunteers and paid signature gatherers collect signatures in public locations. In Arizona, to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot, signatures are required from 15% of voters. For a statutory amendment, 10% are required.
- After the required amount is gathered, an election authority reviews the petition.
- The authenticity of the petition’s signatures is then verified through voter records.
- If the valid signature count meets the required amount, it qualifies for the ballot. “You want to have a sizable group of the population that thinks this is an important enough issue to move forward with being on the ballot,” Wright said.
Why does simple language matter?
Research published in 2024 shared that voters have a short attention span to comprehend ballot language. Using less legalistic language and providing additional information on ballot measures makes it easier to understand and vote.
While simplifying helps voters, changing the wording of the ballot may create other potential issues. “A lot of these propositions are really difficult to boil down to straightforward sentences and fully capture possible implications and effects,” Wright said.
What should voters do before Election Day?
Voters should read and familiarize themselves with the ballot initiatives in advance.
Finding unbiased information requires more effort. Voters need to actively seek out nonpartisan sources for accurate information. “If voters want to make the most informed decision, then they have to do a little bit of that front-end work before they go in to vote,” Wright said.
Voters still might come across topics they don’t know a lot about, such as candidates or the potential impact of policies.
“The key is just to engage. Even if you aren’t able to do that front-end research, you will be able to have at least a short bit of information when you are voting, and the vote is what’s key,” Wright said.
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