CPI:

Active in the 26 states that have citizen-initiated ballot measures, the network of pollsters, direct mail specialists, lawyers, consultants, signature gatherers and voting data whizzes were paid at least $400 million for 85 statewide measures across the country in 2014, according to a Center for Public Integrityanalysis of state records.  In presidential election years, state and local measures are a billion-dollar industry, said ballot initiative expert David McCuan.