I have updated the standard spreadsheets with a lot of variables from Paul's more expanded spreadsheet, although I have continued to use my correct method of linear interpolation.
http://www.freestateproject.org/files/statecomparisons.xlshttp://www.freestateproject.org/files/statecomparisons2.xls (for Macs)
I've also added 2 variables not in Paul's big spreadsheet, one for Initiative, Referendum, and Recall, and one for election of the state supreme court.
The I,R,&R variable was constructed as follows:
+1 if any kind of initiative
+1 if any kind of referendum
+1 if initiative can be used to create laws (rather than just veto)
+1 if no excessive restrictions on initiative
+1 if initiative can be used to amend constitution
+1 if any kind of recall
The states rank as follows on this variable:
1. ND (6)
2. MT, ID (5)
4. AK, SD (4)
6. WY, ME (3)
8. DE, VT, NH (0)
The Judges variable was calculated as follows:
=1 if competitive elections to supreme court
=0.5 if yes/no referenda on supreme court appointments
=0 if no popular input into supreme court appointments
1. ND, ID (1)
3. WY, AK, SD, MT (0.5)
7. VT, DE, NH, ME (0)