High-level literacy skills are required for full participation in the democratic process through voting. Consequently, adults with low-level literacy skills are at a disadvantage. This work investigated the disparity between the readability of U.S. ballot propositions for year 2022 state elections and grade level reading estimates (≤eighth grade) for adults. Educational attainment was also examined. Propositions ( n = 140) from 38 states were included. Mean readability was 18 (range 7.0-64.0). Only four measures (3%) fell within range of national estimates for adult reading ability. Thirty-nine percent of adults completed high school or less, yet 74% of ballots were written well above a high school reading level. There is a discrepancy between the literacy skills of the average voter and the readability of most propositions. The findings of this study have important implications for individuals with learning disabilities. Policy changes and educational support efforts should be initiated.

中文翻译：

---

美国成年人的识字水平低和投票提案困难


通过投票充分参与民主进程需要高水平的识字技能。因此，识字技能低的成年人处于劣势。这项工作调查了 2022 年美国州选举选票提案的可读性与成人年级阅读估计（≤八年级）之间的差异。还检查了教育程度。包括来自 38 个州的命题 （ n = 140）。平均可读性为 18 （范围 7.0-64.0）。只有 4 项措施 （3%） 属于成人阅读能力的国家估计范围。39% 的成年人完成了高中或以下的学业，但 74% 的选票的书写量远高于高中阅读水平。普通选民的识字技能和大多数命题的可读性之间存在差异。这项研究的结果对有学习障碍的人具有重要意义。应启动政策变更和教育支持工作。