Tuesday’s elections delivered sweeping results on midterm ballot measures across 39 states, Washington, D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands. Voters weighed 146 proposals on topics ranging from abortion and voting rules to LGBTQ rights, taxes, guns and the growth of data centers tied to AI.
Midterm ballot measures reshape abortion access
Three states moved to preserve abortion access
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, many states have turned to the ballot to determine abortion policy. This year, four states considered related measures, with three approving protections and Idaho voting to keep its 2022 abortion ban in place.
In Missouri, voters rejected a Republican-backed amendment that would have imposed a near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions, reinforcing support for access two years after voters opposed one of the nation’s strictest prohibitions.
Nevada voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion up to the point of fetal viability. Because state law requires constitutional changes to pass twice, this was the second consecutive election in which the measure won approval.
In Virginia, voters backed a constitutional amendment establishing a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” including abortion during the first two trimesters, with certain allowances afterward, as well as rights to contraception, fertility and postpartum care.
States voted on voting
Election administration changes were on the ballot in multiple states. As of Wednesday afternoon, some far-reaching proposals in Alaska and Arizona were not yet decided.
Voters in Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio approved tighter voter identification rules, while California voters rejected a similar effort. Several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia, adopted measures clarifying that only U.S. citizens may vote.
Redistricting also drew attention. After calls earlier this year to redraw maps before the midterms, several states revised districts.
Some maps intended to favor Republicans ultimately yielded wins for Democrats. Missouri voters turned down a Republican-leaning congressional map, while Maryland approved a redistricting amendment that could enable a Democratic-tilting map in 2028.
Virginia voters also endorsed automatically restoring voting rights to people convicted of felonies once they complete their sentences.
A mixed bag for LGBTQ rights
Virginia approved a constitutional change formally repealing its ban on same-sex marriage and affirming recognition of marriages between any two adults regardless of sex, gender or race. The previous ban had been unenforceable since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, but supporters viewed the amendment as a safeguard should Obergefell v. Hodges ever be overturned.
Similar steps were taken by Colorado and California in 2024. Vermont overwhelmingly added an equal protection clause to its constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and national origin.
Several states weighed measures affecting transgender youth. Colorado approved restrictions on transgender students’ participation in school sports and on access to gender-affirming care.
A Washington state measure limiting transgender students from competing in girls’ school sports was leading on Wednesday.
Arizona passed a proposal requiring schools and athletic associations to limit access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms based on sex assigned at birth. Arizona already bars transgender girls from girls’ school sports.
The new measure extends similar restrictions to recreational organizations, including youth leagues.
Taxes and state spending up for debate
Florida voters overwhelmingly backed a property tax cut for homeowners. Opponents warned the change could remove billions from local budgets for services including food banks, libraries, transportation and infrastructure.
In California, voters considered a one-time 5% tax on individuals with assets exceeding $1 billion, with most revenue earmarked for health care services. The contest, among the most expensive in state history, remained too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tennessee approved a constitutional amendment barring a statewide property tax, something the state has not collected since 1949.
Arizona voters prohibited cities and towns from raising taxes on groceries until July 2027. North Carolina approved a cap on the maximum personal income tax rate at 3.5%.
Washington voters weighed a repeal of a planned income tax on individuals and households earning more than $1 million that is set to begin in 2028. Early tallies indicated voters favored keeping the tax.
A polar-opposite pair of gun ballot measures
Massachusetts voters supported retaining a 2024 law that tightened gun regulations. The law requires serial numbers on so-called ghost guns, broadens the definition of assault-style firearms and expands red flag provisions, making the state’s gun policies among the strictest in the country.
In Idaho, voters were asked to help select an official state firearm from six options. The Winchester Model 1873, known as the “Gun that Won the West,” was leading as of Wednesday, though lawmakers would still need to pass legislation to formalize any choice.
The ballot initiatives about data centers
Communities across the country voted on whether to limit or allow large data centers that support AI workloads. Jurisdictions in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin approved restrictions.
At least 12 localities moved to cap the size of data centers, and six voted to pause or ban construction entirely, according to Data Centers on the Ballot.
One community, Harwood, North Dakota, declined to impose limits on industrial projects, including data centers, with 75% voting against restrictions.
Ohio considered 21 measures referencing data centers. Voters there favored limits, including a ban on data centers over 25 megawatts in Trenton and a prohibition on construction of any size in Hubbard, as well as rejections of rezonings from rural residential to light industrial for such uses.
Campaigns spent up to $40 million on advertising around data centers this cycle. In a June Reuters/Ipsos poll, 77% of Americans expressed concern that data centers raise electricity costs.
The survey also found two-thirds of Democrats and half of Republicans would oppose a data center in their community.
Other honorable mentions
Alabama voters approved requirements that local school boards adopt policies for public K-12 schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and, in a separate measure, to play or perform the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at least once a week during school hours.
Arizona voters backed a ban on installing and using photo enforcement systems such as speed and red-light cameras to enforce certain traffic laws.
In Washington, D.C., voters overwhelmingly supported prohibiting the force-feeding of birds to enlarge their livers and banning the sale of foie gras.
Denver voters passed a similar measure.