American Voters Rule on 146 State Ballot Measures: Abortion Rights Preserved in Three States
Alongside the congressional contests, voters in 39 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands, weighed in on 146 statewide ballot measures in the U.S. midterm elections. The measures spanned issues from taxes to transgender rights to traffic cameras to data centers and AI.
On abortion, four states considered measures this year. Three passed, while Idaho voted to preserve the state's abortion ban from 2022.
In Missouri, voters rejected a Republican-led amendment that would have banned abortion with few exceptions. The move affirms support for abortion just two years after voters mobilized to reject Missouri's ban, which was one of the strictest in the country.
Nevada residents voted to enshrine abortion up to the point of viability in their constitution. They did so for the second election in a row, since state law requires a proposed constitutional amendment to pass twice.
Virginians voted to create a "fundamental right to reproductive freedom" in their constitution. That includes the right to an abortion during the first two trimesters, and afterward in certain cases, as well as the right to contraception, fertility, postpartum care and more.
Several states also changed how they run elections. Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio passed measures toughening identification requirements for voters, while California voted against such an effort. Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia approved measures reinforcing that U.S. citizenship is required to vote. Far-reaching changes in Alaska and Arizona were too early to call on Wednesday afternoon.
Redistricting was also before voters. President Trump kicked off a redistricting race earlier this year by urging Republican-led states to redraw their districts ahead of the midterms. Missouri voters rejected a Republican-friendly congressional map, while Maryland voters passed a redistricting amendment that could pave the way for a Democrat-leaning map in 2028.
Virginians also passed a measure automatically restoring voting rights to anyone convicted of a felony once they have completed their sentence, and a constitutional amendment repealing the state's ban on gay marriage and confirming recognition of marriage between two adults regardless of their sex, gender or race. The ban had been moot since the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015. Vermont overwhelmingly voted to add a constitutional guarantee of equal protection regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.
On transgender access, Colorado passed both measures restricting trans kids' access to school sports teams and gender-affirming care. A Washington state measure to ban trans students from competing in girls' school sports was still leading on Wednesday. Arizona passed a proposal requiring schools and athletic associations to restrict use of facilities including restrooms and locker rooms to the sex assigned at birth, extending the prohibition to recreational organizations like Little League; Arizona law already bans trans girls from school sports teams designated for girls.
On taxes, Florida voters overwhelmingly passed an amendment cutting property taxes for homeowners. Critics say it would take billions of dollars in local government revenue away from public services like food banks, libraries, transportation and infrastructure.
In California, voters pondered a one-off 5% tax on individuals with more than $1 billion in assets, with most of the money going toward health care services. The fight against that measure was one of the most expensive in the state's history, and the contest was too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tennessee voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting a statewide property tax, which the state has not collected since 1949. Arizona voters passed a measure banning cities and towns from raising taxes on groceries until July 2027. North Carolinians approved an amendment capping the maximum personal income tax at 3.5%. In Washington, early results indicated voters want to keep an income tax on those earning more than $1 million, scheduled to take effect in 2028.
Massachusetts voted to keep a 2024 law tightening firearm regulations, which required "ghost guns" to have a serial number, broadened the definition of "assault-style firearm" and expanded the state's red flag laws. In Idaho, voters were asked to help choose the official state gun from six brands and models; the Winchester Model 1873 led in the polls, though the legislature would need a separate law to make the winner official.
At least 38 jurisdictions voted on data centers needed to power AI. Jurisdictions in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin voted to restrict data centers. Of these, at least 12 localities voted to restrict their size, while six others voted to halt development and ban construction of all facilities.
Ohio had 21 ballot measures mentioning data centers. Trenton, Ohio voted to ban data centers over 25 megawatts, while Hubbard moved to ban construction of any size, including converting existing buildings. The one community that supported data centers was Harwood, North Dakota, where 75% of voters did not want restrictions on industrial projects. Candidates spent up to $40 million on ads about data centers this cycle. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 77% of Americans concerned about data centers raising electricity costs.
Alabama voters passed measures requiring local school boards to adopt policies for public K-12 schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and play or perform the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at least once a week. Arizona voters passed a measure banning photo enforcement systems for certain traffic ordinances. Washington, D.C. voters overwhelmingly voted to prohibit the force-feeding of birds to enlarge their livers and the sale of foie gras itself; Denver voters approved a similar measure.
