Ballot Measure Readability Scores 2018 via Ballotpedia

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Ballot Measure Readability Scores, 2018

Ballotpedia 2018

This page provides an overview of the readability scores of the ballot titles and summaries of ballot measures certified to go before voters in 2018.

A readability score is an estimation of the reading difficulty of a text. Measurements used in calculating readability scores include the number of syllables, words, and sentences in a text. Other factors, such as the complexity of an idea in a text, are not reflected in readability scores.

As of November 9, 2018, 167 statewide ballot measures were certified for ballots in 2018. Voters in states with ballot measures will read questions on their ballots asking them whether to approve or reject a measure. As the text of ballot measures is often multiple pages of statute or constitutional law, someone is tasked in each state with writing a shorter title and summary to appear on the ballot for the measures.

2018 Highlights

  The average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level for the ballot titles or questions of all 2018 statewide ballot measures was between 19 and 20; average state scores ranged from eight to 42.

  The average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level for the ballot summaries or explanations of all the 2018 statewide ballot measures that were given a summary or explanation was 16; average state scores ranged from seven to 43.

  The states with the lowest average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Levels for ballot titles or questions were Alaska, Rhode Island, and Massachusettswith 8, 9, and 11, respectively.

  The states with the lowest average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Levels for ballot summaries or explanations were Alaska, Wisconsin, and North Carolina with 7, 8, and 9.

  The states with the highest average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Levels for ballot titles or questions were Connecticut, West Virginia, and Georgiawith 42, 34, and 32.

  For ballot summaries or explanations the highest average grade levels were in Idaho, Arizona, and New Mexico with 43, 28, and 23.

  Average ballot title grades were lowest for language written by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (10), initiative petitioners (15), and attorney generals (16).

  Average ballot title grades were highest for language written by special state boards and state legislatures.

  Legislative research offices and counsels were responsible for the lowest average summary grades at 14; special state boards game in second at 15, and secretary of states third at 16.

  The states with the longest ballot titles or questions on average were Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina, and New Hampshire, all of which did not feature additional ballot summaries or explanations.

  The states with the shortest ballot titles or questions on average were Florida, Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Idaho; all of these except Hawaii did feature additional ballot summaries or explanations.

Readability Averages by State

Average title grade

Average # of words

Average summary grade

Average # of words

Number of measures

Each Ballot Measure by State

Title grade

Title ease

Title word count

Summary grade

Summary ease

Summary word count

Author

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