US midterms: state ballot measures on abortion, billionaire tax, voter ID and trans rights

Left · 2Voters in more than three dozen states will decide around 150 ballot measures on November 3, alongside the congressional contests that have dominated midterm coverage. 1 2 Left · 2Four states, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska and Washington, will vote on barring transgender girls and women from all-female sports teams; Washington's measure would require athletes on girls' teams to have their sex verified by a healthcare provider, which some opponents say could mean invasive examinations. 1 2 Left · 1Proponents of the limits say they protect girls and women, while critics say they discriminate against transgender students. Arizona and Nebraska already have such laws; Arizona's measure would extend its law to private schools, and Nebraska's would write the ban into the state constitution. 1

Left · 2Colorado and Missouri also have measures on gender-affirming care for minors. Colorado's would ban transition-related surgeries, and Missouri, which already has a statutory ban on such treatment, would add it to its constitution. 1 2 Left · 2On abortion, both outlets say Idaho voters will consider enshrining abortion rights; ABC News adds Virginia and Nevada. The Independent says Idaho's measure would establish the right up to fetal viability, and that the state has banned virtually all abortions since 2022, when the Supreme Court eliminated the nationwide right. 1 2 Left · 2Missouri voters will decide whether to reverse their 2024 citizen-initiated vote that overturned the state's abortion ban; this year's measure was put forward by the Republican-controlled legislature and also bans gender-affirming care for minors. 1 2

Left · 2California's Proposition 40, dubbed the billionaires' tax, would impose a 5% tax on the wealth of the wealthiest residents, with revenue going to healthcare and other programs. The Independent describes it as a one-time tax on the worldwide assets of roughly 250 billionaires and the world's first such tax; ABC News says it covers taxpayers and trusts with assets over $1 billion and would fund healthcare, food assistance and public education. 1 2 Left · 1The Independent reports that the measure has divided California Democrats, with Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, opposing it and warning it could drive tech companies to other states. 1 Left · 1Other tax measures: Colorado would replace its uniform income tax rate with a progressive one ranging from 3.7% for those earning under $25,000 to 8.4% above $1 million, and Washington voters will decide whether to repeal a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million; ABC News also lists Iowa and North Carolina among five states with tax measures. 2

Left · 2On voting rules, California, Colorado and Nevada would require the last four digits of a government ID number for mail voting, and Arizona has a photo ID measure for mail ballots. ABC News says 13 states have measures affecting voter access and adds North Carolina to the ID states; Nevada voters passed its measure with 73% in 2024 but need approval in two consecutive elections. 1 2 Left · 1ABC News reports that Alaska, Arizona, South Dakota, Kansas, Arkansas and West Virginia have measures to mandate that only US citizens can vote, noting there are few proven cases of noncitizen voting. It also says Massachusetts will vote on same-day registration and Virginia on restoring voting rights to some people after release from prison. 2 Left · 1The Independent also covers redistricting and campaign finance: Missouri will vote on a Republican-drawn map that would break up its only Democratic-leaning seat, after courts ruled it needs voter approval; Maryland will vote on easing congressional redistricting, which could let Democrats eliminate its only Republican-leaning seat in 2028; Montana will decide whether to bar corporate election spending, a strategy to sidestep Citizens United; and Alaska will decide whether to keep ranked-choice voting. 1