DENVER -- Colorado voters could be facing the biggest ballot ever when they head to the polls this November.

Monday was the deadline to submit signatures to get initiatives on the ballot.

If enough of the signatures check out, there could be upward of 19 issues on the ballot.

"Colorado is not alone in seeing an increase in the number of initiatives," said Dr. Robert Preuhs, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Metropolitan State College in Denver.

There are two reasons for that Preuhs said.

"First, it's easier to make changes by going directly to the people than by working through the cumbersome legislative process. Second, controversial issues are being used to mobilize voters."

Preuhs said the more issues there are on the ballot, the more people head to the polls.

"Anywhere from one-half percent to one and a half percent more per issue," the professor said.

How do voters feel?

"I don't have a problem with a long ballot," said Stan Treber after casting an early ballot in Denver's primary election.

Treber said he doesn't agree with many of the initiatives, but added, "If there are enough people who sign petitions to get an issue on the ballot, then it's obviously a concern to many of them. People have a right to be heard."

Gov. Bill Ritter said the grassroots involvement in the initiative process is important, but he added that changing the constitution isn't always the best way.

"Our constitution has grown significantly in the last 20 years because of the initiative process," Ritter said. "If voters want to create change they can do it by changing statutes, not with constitutional measures."

Preuhs said that although the initiatives bring more people out to the polls, there is a downside too. They generate more conflict.

"The initiative process was created to deal with corruption in government," Preuhs said. "It can bring about immediate change."

"Our legislative system," he added, "was created for deliberation."

Preuhs said the legislative process is by nature slow. "It was not designed to make new policy quickly," he said.

One of the issues voters will decide this November is a referendum that would make it more difficult to change the constitution by requiring more signatures to get an issue on the ballot.

Treber said he's not ready to vote for or against that measure, but he said, "The debate should take place."