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By David A. Lieb, Associated Press
As voters in dozens of states elect officials to make and enforce laws, they also decide more than 140 ballot propositions that affect the way people legally live, work and die.
While 10 states are considering measures related to abortion or reproductive rights during Tuesday’s votes, about a half-dozen states are considering legalizing marijuana for recreational or medical use. About two dozen measures target future elections, including some that specifically ban noncitizens from voting. Other state measures impact wages, taxes, housing and education.
Many of the ballot measures were initiated by citizen petitions bypassing the state legislature, although others were submitted to voters by lawmakers.
Legalization of marijuana
Voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota will decide whether they want that legalize recreational marijuana for adults. The election marks the third vote on the issue in both countries North Dakota And South Dakota. In Nebraska, voters are considering a few measures that would legalize medical marijuana and regulate the industry.
About half of the states currently allow recreational marijuana and about a dozen others allow medical marijuana.
In Massachusetts, a ballot measure would legalize the possession and controlled use of natural psychedelics, including psilocybin mushrooms. It would be the third state to do this, Oregon to follow And Colorado.
Immigration
A measure from Arizona It would become a state crime for entry from abroad other than through official ports of entry, and for someone already in the U.S. illegally to apply for public benefits using forged documents.
The border crossing measure is comparable to a disputed Texas law which, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, violates federal authority.
School choice
One suggested amending the Kentucky Constitution would allow lawmakers to use state funds for private schools. A measure in Colorado would create a constitutional right to school choice for K-12 students.
In Nebraskavoters will decide whether to repeal a new state law that funds private school education with state dollars.
A majority of states offer some type of state-supported program to help cover the costs of private schools.
Sports betting
Missouri voters will decide whether they will be last legalize sports betting. A total of 38 states and Washington DC allow sports bettingwhich has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for that in 2018.
Taxes
A proposal from Colorado would make it the second state after California to impose a sales tax on firearms and ammunition, with the revenue going primarily to crime victim services. The federal government already taxes the sale of guns and ammunition.
North Dakota voters are considering a measure abolish property taxes. If approved, local governments could need more than $3 billion in replacement revenue from the state every two years.
A measure in South Dakota would repeal the state’s sales tax on groceries, a measure already taken in most other states.
An Oregon measure would increase the minimum tax on large corporations to fund a tax credit for residents.
Housing
California voters are deciding whether to repeal a 1995 law that limits local rent control ordinances. If approved, it would clear the way for local governments to expand restrictions on the rates landlords can charge.
A unique proposal in Arizona ties property taxes to answers to homelessness. It would allow property owners to seek reimbursement for property taxes if they incur costs because a local government refused to enforce ordinances against illegal camping, loitering, begging, public alcohol and drug use and other matters.
Climate
Voters in Washington state are considering whether to repeal a 2021 law limits CO2 emissions and creates a market for companies that cross borders to buy emissions allowances from others. Washington was the second state after California to launch such a program.
Citizens’ votes
Republican-led legislatures in eight states — Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin — have proposed constitutional amendments declaring that only citizens can vote.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks in support of a state constitutional amendment limiting voting to only U.S. citizens during a news conference on Oct. 10, 2024, at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
A 1996 U.S. law bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and many states already have similar laws. But Republicans have emphasized this the potential of non-citizens voting after an influx of immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Although voting by non-citizens has historically been rare, voter rolls are reviewed before elections marked potential non-citizens registered in several states.
Some municipalities in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. allow non-residents to vote in certain local elections.
Voting methods
Connecticut voters are considering whether to allow no-excuse voting, joining most states that already allow it.
Measures in Montana and South Dakota would create open primaries in which candidates from all parties appear on the same ballot, with a certain number advancing to the general election. Measures in Colorado, Idaho and Nevada also propose open primaries with candidates from all parties, with a certain number advancing to a general election using ranked choice. An Oregon measure would require ranked-choice voting in both the primary and general elections.
Ranked choice voting is currently used in Alaska and Maine. But Alaska voters are considering it whether it should be withdrawn provisions of a 2020 initiative that established open primaries and ranked-choice general elections.
Arizona voters are choosing between competing ballot propositions that would require either open primaries with candidates from all parties or the current state method of partisan primaries. If contradictory measures both succeed, the provision that receives the most votes will take effectbut that may be up to the judge to decide.
Redistribution
An Ohio initiative would create a citizen commission to handle reapportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and states, taking the job away from elected officials.
Minimum wage
Ballot measures in Missouri and Alaska would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, while also requiring paid sick leave. A measure from California would gradually increase the minimum wage for all employers to $18 per hour.
A Nebraska measure would require many employers to offer sick leave but would not change wages.
A Massachusetts measure would gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers until it equals the rate for other workers. In contrast, an Arizona measure would ensure that tipped workers are paid 25% less than the minimum wage, as long as tips push their total wages above the minimum wage threshold.
Assisted suicide
West Virginia voters are deciding whether to amend the state constitution to ban medically assisted suicide. The measure would conflict with 10 states and Washington, D.C., where physician-assisted suicide is allowed.