2006 Ballot Measure Overview: An Analysis of Money Raised Around Measures on State Ballots in 2006

Publication Date: November 2007

Publisher: National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)

Author(s):

Research Area: Politics

Type: Report

Abstract:

Although citizens had the last word on Election Day, a close look at who funded state ballot measure campaigns in 2006 reveals that they are often anything but citizen-driven grassroots efforts. Out-of-state donors, large corporations, special interests and wealthy individuals provided the lion's share of the money raised to support or defeat the 2006 measures.

Committees formed to support or oppose the measures raised $648.4 million in contributions, or 28 percent more than the $540 million raised around measures on the ballots in 2004 (see Appendix A on page 141 for 2006 totals by state). The 2005 ballot measures attracted $466.2 million, thanks largely to expensive measures in California.