Competition Winnows November Ballot (Slightly)

The November ballot in California may not be as lengthy as political analysts expected just a few weeks ago.

The Legislature and initiative campaigns had eight measures set for the ballot, and 15 other campaigns were collecting voter signatures.

Since then, several of those measures have been pulled.

Because it’s so expensive to qualify a measure for the ballot, you’re seeing some drop out," says Democratic political consultant Robin Swanson. "You’re seeing some worked out in the Legislature before you have to spend tens of millions of dollars."

Campaigns are paying signature-gatherers roughly double the standard rate for each name they collect.

Five measures, including property tax and campaign finance initiatives, have dropped out in the past couple of months. Unions are pulling their minimum wage initiatives after compromising on a new state law.

Some of the campaigns say they’ll try again in what they hope will be a less-crowded and less-costly 2018.