Voters in numerous states are confronting a slate of ballot measures that will directly address issues central to former President Donald Trump's political agenda, including abortion rights, redistricting, and voter identification mandates.
These ballot measures serve as a political undercard to the midterm elections, where control of Congress, state legislatures, and gubernatorial offices are at stake. Several states are voting on measures that could reshape congressional districts, restrict transgender athletes in sports, and strengthen voter identification requirements.
Abortion rights are a major focus, with voters in several states deciding on the legality of the procedure. In Missouri, voters are considering repealing a 2024 abortion rights amendment and replacing it with a new ban that includes exceptions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, or incest up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. This proposed ban was placed on the ballot by the Republican-led Legislature.
Conversely, ballot measures in Idaho and Nevada aim to block bans on abortion before fetal viability, typically after 21 weeks. Nevada voters will have to approve the measure a second time for it to become official. In Virginia, an amendment seeks to ensure abortion access during the first two trimesters.
Redistricting is another key issue, with nine states using new congressional districts influenced by a mid-decade redistricting effort encouraged by Trump. Missouri's Republican lawmakers had adopted new House districts intended to favor the GOP, but courts ruled they could not be used without voter approval in a November referendum. If passed, these districts would take effect in 2028.
In Maryland, a constitutional amendment could pave the way for new congressional districts in 2028, with proponents, including former President Barack Obama, advocating for a “yes” vote to counter Trump's influence. Colorado voters will consider a citizen initiative designed to prevent potential 2028 redistricting from favoring any political party, requiring approval from an independent commission and the state Supreme Court.
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Washington are weighing measures that restrict transgender athletes or medical procedures, aligning with Trump's administration's past push for such restrictions.
In Arizona, a measure would extend restrictions on transgender athletes in public schools to private schools. Nebraska's measure would incorporate existing restrictions into the state constitution. Colorado faces a second ballot question concerning the prohibition of certain transgender medical treatments for minors. Missouri's proposed abortion amendment also includes provisions to add existing transgender medical restrictions to the state constitution.
Trump's push for nationwide voter ID mandates, which stalled in Congress, is being addressed at the state level. Citizen activists in California, Colorado, and Nevada have placed new voter ID requirements on the ballot. These measures would mandate government-issued identification to cast ballots. An amendment in Nevada, having already won approval once, requires a second vote to be enacted.
Republican-led legislatures in North Carolina and Ohio have referred measures to voters that would enhance existing voter ID requirements by enshrining them in the state constitution.
Ballot measures in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia aim to reinforce current election practices by limiting voting to U.S. citizens. Critics argue these measures are largely symbolic, as voting by noncitizens is rare and already prohibited in federal elections, though noncitizens are permitted to vote in some local elections in California, Maryland, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
Electoral system changes are also on the ballot. A Massachusetts measure proposes replacing separate party primaries with open primaries. In Alaska, voters will decide for the second consecutive election whether to replace their open primary system with ranked-choice voting.
North Dakota and South Dakota voters will consider amendments making it harder to amend their state constitutions, requiring 60% approval instead of a simple majority. Utah proposes a similar 60% threshold for citizen initiatives that raise taxes. A Missouri amendment would require an 80% vote in the state House and Senate to revise voter-approved citizen initiatives, making them more difficult to alter.
Colorado faces a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit state laws restricting cooperation with federal immigration agents, potentially bolstering Trump's immigration enforcement efforts. This amendment would require law enforcement to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon charging individuals with illegal or unknown immigration status with violent crimes or following a prior felony conviction.
Arizona voters are deciding on a proposal to limit the use of traffic cameras for speeding or red-light violations. The Republican-led Legislature referred this measure to voters after Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a ban, citing roadway safety benefits. Opponents argue the cameras infringe on privacy and have been misused by law enforcement.