Abortion, minimum wage and marijuana: what else will states vote for on Election Day?
On November 5, voters in 41 territories will decide on 147 ballot measures that address some of the most important issues for many citizens
During Election Day in the United States, citizens will not only decide the presidency and vice presidency — choosing between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump — but on their ballots they will also be able to determine the future of important state measures. These include the protection of the right to abortion in several states, minimum wage adjustments, legalization of recreational cannabis, election law reforms, and other policies that will directly affect daily life and the legal framework in their communities.
Voters will also have the opportunity to elect their representatives in Congress, both in the House and the Senate. Similarly, in many state and local jurisdictions, elections for governors, judges, prosecutors and other key positions will also be at stake, reinforcing the impact of this election day on all levels of government. Here are the main issues that will be on the ballot in several states.
Abortion legislation
- Arizona: Proposition 139, a citizen initiative amendment, seeks to establish a state constitutional right to abortion.
- Colorado: A citizens’ initiative amendment would create a state constitutional right to abortion and remove provisions prohibiting the use of public funds for abortion.
- Florida: Amendment 4 would legalize abortion up to viability, but would require parental consent for minors.
- Maryland: A legislative amendment would establish the right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, including access to abortion.
- Missouri: A citizens’ initiative amendment seeks to establish the right to reproductive freedom by legalizing abortion up to fetal viability.
- Nebraska: An amendment would restrict the time limit allowed for a woman to have an abortion up to fetal viability.
- Nevada: A citizens’ initiative amendment seeks to enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion up to fetal viability.
- New York: A legislative initiative amendment to the state constitution seeks to protect health care and reproductive outcomes by guaranteeing equal protection under the law for pregnancy and reproductive decisions.
- Montana and South Dakota will also have measures that would grant constitutional rights for abortion.
Minimum wage increase
- Alaska: An indirect state law proposes to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 2027. It would also offer paid sick leave based on company size and prohibit employer retaliation against employees who refuse to attend political or religious meetings.
- California: A citizens’ initiative statute proposes to raise the minimum wage to $18 by 2026.
- Missouri: A citizens’ initiative statute proposes to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026. The measure also mandates sick leave pay based on hours worked.
- Massachusetts: A referendum proposes to increase the minimum wage for tipped workers to address wage disparities in service industries.
Drug legislation
- Florida: Amendment 3 would legalize recreational cannabis, allowing adults over 21 to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis. Licensed entities would be able to process and distribute cannabis products.
- Massachusetts: A referendum proposes to legalize certain psychedelic substances for medical and research purposes.
- Missouri: A citizens’ initiative amendment would legalize and regulate sports betting and include reproductive rights provisions. It also seeks to legalize recreational cannabis.
- South Dakota: House Bill 29 would legalize the possession, distribution and recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and older.
- North Dakota: A legislative amendment, Constitutional Measure 5, would legalize recreational marijuana use in the state.
Other important measures
- California: Voters will decide on the repeal of the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a key law limiting rent control, and on a $10 billion bond proposal to modernize public educational facilities.
- Colorado: One bill would impose a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition to fund crime victim services and mental health programs for children and veterans. Another measure would ban trophy hunting of certain wild animals.
- Connecticut: A legislative amendment would allow no-excuse absentee voting.
- Georgia: Voters will decide on creating a state tax court, increasing personal property tax exemptions and adding a state constitutional amendment to prohibit non-citizens from voting.
- Idaho: A proposal to replace partisan primaries with a nonpartisan four-candidate system for certain offices will be voted on.
- Iowa: An amendment will allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 before the general election.
- Utah: Legislative amendments will determine changes in income tax distribution for education and authorize the state to allocate funds for other purposes once education funding is covered.