What are ballot measures? It may surprise many outside the United States that US elections are usually never about one vote, seat, or issue. Many states issue entire ballot booklets during each election, letting voters declare their preference for a whole bunch of issues. Some voters may be expected to write down their votes for three or four candidates, positions, or issues every time they vote.
This is in stark contrast to many countries, where voters expect to vote for one person or initiative or press only one button each time they visit the polling booth.
These ‘ballot measures’ often have huge ramifications for that state and the rest of the country. For example, in 2020, along with Joe Biden winning the White House, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota voted to legalize marijuana. Meanwhile, California voted to turn Uber drivers into contracted workers with better rights.
Some of these ballot measures are outright referendums on issues, others confirm legislation passed by state legislatures, and others can be seen as just polls on federal policy.
In the 2024 elections, some 150 ballot measures will be decided through votes in 41 states. These include a wide range of issues of concern to American citizens, like who is eligible for sick leave (and should it be paid?) and how severe the punishment should be for retail theft.
While we can’t get into all 150 of them, here are four major ballot measures:
Abortion: This November, abortion will be on the ballot in 10 states, including several swing states where the issue is burning hot. The ballot measures swing both ways – some are looking to overturn new state laws that restrict abortion (Colorado, Florida, Missouri), while others are looking to cement the right of abortion into state constitutions (Arizona, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York).
Ranked choice voting: Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington DC are proposing measures to implement ranked-choice voting, while Alaska is considering repealing its current system. Missouri has a proposal to ban it outright.
(What is ranked choice voting? Voters don’t vote for one candidate but instead, rank them in their preferred order. The winner is the one who has the most ‘first preference’ votes AND is ranked highly among a majority of voters.)
Minimum wage: California will vote on increasing the minimum wage to $18 per hour, while Missouri and Alaska are considering raising theirs to $15 by 2026 and 2027, respectively. Other states, like Arizona and Massachusetts, will decide on wage increases specifically for tipped workers.
Weed: Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota will vote on legalizing marijuana and further reduce restrictions on the drug.
All of this is heady stuff, but there is the lighter stuff for voters to chew over. South Dakota will consider removing male pronouns in the state constitution, and Maine needs approval for its new state flag.
But whatever the measure, don’t knock it too much. Some serious money is being poured into all ballot measures, especially the big ones. According to Ballotopedia, an eye-watering $685 million has been donated to push or oppose these causes until October 2024.
One day – lots of votes. So don’t forget to fill out your entire ballot sheet this November.
Feature Image: Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay
