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Bill would require plain‑English ballot language and public review to reduce voter confusion
Summary
Senate Bill 615 would require plain‑language ballot descriptions for statewide and local ballot measures and create a process for public posting and review of proposed ballot language. Advocates said the change would reduce undervotes and confusion caused by legalese on ballots.
Sen. Cheryl Kagan told the Ways and Means Committee she has led an effort to require plain‑English ballot language and a public review process for proposed ballot descriptions to reduce voter confusion and undervoting on ballot measures.
Kagan described the bill as the product of multi‑state research and consultations with the National Conference of State Legislatures and civic design experts. The measure would require that proposed ballot text use plain English—“no double speak, no passive language, no jargon” in her words—provide a public posting of proposed language with time for comment and, where appropriate, legal review by the secretary of state or county attorneys before printing ballots.
Kagan said the bill does not apply to certain constitutionally prescribed ballot references used when the General Assembly itself places a question on the ballot. She and supporters argued the intent is to improve comprehension and reduce the number of voters who skip ballot questions because they find the language confusing. Kagan noted an executive order by the governor and model federal plain‑language guidance and said the bill would align ballots with those standards.
State elections staff in the hearing indicated they had offered technical feedback; Jared Demarini, State Administrator of Elections, participated in a later Q&A about related election bills and advised that nonpartisan and municipal ballot questions appearing on state ballots would be counted under current law if they appear on the ballot.
Supporters said the bill is a procedural change designed to stabilize turnout and ballot integrity, not to alter substantive ballot content. Kagan asked the committee to report the bill favorably and said the change is intended for implementation ahead of future statewide referenda.
