The upcoming general election will see voters in 41 states deciding on more than 140 measures alongside their choices for president and other top offices. These ballot questions will allow voters to directly influence issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, citizen voting, crime, elections, taxing weapons, immigration, marijuana, marriage, pay and benefits, prison labor, property taxes, redistricting, and sports betting. With Arizona, Colorado, and California having the most ballot measures, more could still be added to the ballots in some states, while some measures could be removed due to pending lawsuits.
One of the hot-button issues on the ballot this year is abortion, with at least nine states considering constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights in response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that shifted the issue to the states. Another key issue is assisted suicide, with West Virginia considering a proposed amendment to prohibit medically assisted suicide. Citizen voting is also a prominent issue, with Republican-led legislatures in eight states proposing amendments to declare that only citizens can vote.
In terms of crime, California is proposing measures to toughen punishments for repeat shoplifters and fentanyl dealers, as well as creating a new drug court treatment program. An Arizona measure would require life imprisonment for certain child sex trafficking convictions, while two Colorado proposals would deny bail in first-degree murder cases and lengthen mandatory prison terms for certain violent crimes. The upcoming election will also see measures on open primary elections, ranked choice voting, and changes to minimum wage policies.
Other ballot issues include taxing weapons, immigration policies, marijuana legalization, marriage rights, paid sick leave, prison labor, property taxes, redistricting, and sports betting. For example, Colorado is considering a proposal to impose a sales tax on firearms and ammunition, while Arizona is looking at making it a state crime to enter from a foreign country illegally. Additionally, states like North Dakota, California, and Utah are considering measures related to property taxes and redistricting.
Overall, the upcoming general election will give voters the opportunity to weigh in on a wide range of important issues, from social and criminal justice policies to taxes and voting rights. The outcome of these ballot measures could have far-reaching implications for the future direction of the states and the country as a whole. It will be interesting to see how voters decide on these issues and how the results will impact the political landscape moving forward.
