As of 10:50 AM Eastern Time on Nov. 4, Ballotpedia had called 82 statewide ballot measures, of which 65 were approved and 17 were defeated. The remaining 38 remained uncalled.
Here are some notable results:
Voters approved changes to state drug and criminal justice policies in several states. In Oregon, two ballot measures—Measure 109 and Measure 110—were approved. Measure 109 created a program for administering psilocybin products, such as psilocybin-producing mushrooms and fungi. Measure 110 decriminalized Schedule I-IV controlled substances, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. In Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota, voters approved ballot measures to legalize marijuana. Mississippi, along with South Dakota, also approved medical marijuana programs. Voters in Oklahoma rejected a ballot initiative, State Question 805, that would have prohibited the use of a person’s past non-violent felony convictions to impose a greater (enhanced) sentence when sentencing a person convicted of a non-violent felony.
In California, voters approved Proposition 17, which expanded the right to vote to people on parole for felony convictions. In Alabama, Colorado, and Florida, constitutional amendments were approved to state that “only a citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote.
Abortion was on the ballot in Colorado and Louisiana. Colorado Proposition 115, which would have prohibited abortion after a fetus reaches 22-weeks gestational age, was defeated. Louisiana Amendment 1 was approved, adding language to the Louisiana Constitution stating that “nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”
On election policy issues, both Florida Amendment 3 and Massachusetts Question 2 were defeated. Florida Amendment 3 would have created a top-two primary system, and Massachusetts Question 2 would have adopted ranked-choice voting.
In Colorado, voters approved Amendment B, which repealed the Gallagher Amendment. Colorado Proposition 116 decreased the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55% for individuals, estates, trusts, and foreign and domestic C corporations operating. Colorado Proposition 118 established a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado to provide 12 weeks (up to 16 weeks in certain cases) of paid leave (with a maximum benefit of $1,100 per week) funded through a payroll tax to be paid for by employers and employees in a 50/50 split.
In Mississippi, voters approved a new state flag after the state got rid of the older flag that featured the Confederate battle flag. The new flag features a Southern magnolia flower and the phrase ‘In God We Trust’.
In California, three of this year’s most expensive ballot measures—Propositions 21, 22, and 23—were decided. Proposition 21, which would have expanded the ability of local governments to enact rent control, was defeated. Proposition 23, which would have placed certain regulations on dialysis clinics, was defeated. Proposition 22—the most expensive measure in California history—was approved. Proposition 22, backed by Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Postmates, and Instacart, defined app-based drivers as independent contractors and not employees or agents. Therefore, the ballot measure overrode Assembly Bill 5, signed in September 2019, on the question of whether app-based drivers are employees or independent contractors.
Some notable measures that remained uncalled include Alaska’s ranked-choice voting measure, California’s split roll tax initiative , and Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction initiative.