By Salma El-Sakka
Voters in more than three dozen states decided 145 ballot measures on Tuesday, delivering victories for abortion rights in Missouri and Virginia while rejecting Republican-backed redistricting efforts encouraged by former President Donald Trump.
Abortion rights prevail in Missouri and Virginia
Missouri voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have tightened abortion restrictions, reaffirming their 2024 decision to enshrine abortion rights. The defeated measure would have allowed abortions only for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, or rape and incest up to 12 weeks, and would have banned certain medical procedures for transgender minors. In Virginia, voters approved an amendment establishing a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, protecting abortion access through the first two trimesters and guaranteeing rights to contraception and fertility care.
Missouri blocks Republican-drawn congressional map
Missouri voters also rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map designed to give the GOP an additional House seat in the Kansas City area. The map, adopted by the Republican-led legislature in 2025, was used in the August primary but courts required voter approval for further use. The defeat halts a mid-decade redistricting push encouraged by Trump.
Maryland approves path for future redistricting
In Democratic-led Maryland, voters approved a constitutional amendment that could enable new congressional districts in 2028. The measure was backed by former President Barack Obama as a way to counter Trump’s influence.
Florida passes sweeping property tax cuts
Florida homeowners will see a large portion of their property tax bills eliminated after voters approved an amendment referred by Governor Ron DeSantis during a special session. The homestead exemption for non-school taxes will triple next year and rise to $250,000 in 2028. Local officials warn the measure could force cuts to police, fire, libraries, and parks.
Nebraska locks in transgender healthcare restrictions
Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment cementing existing restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors. Similar measures targeting transgender athletes or medical procedures appeared on ballots in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, reflecting a broader push aligned with Trump administration priorities.
Voter ID measures mixed across states
California and Colorado voters rejected proposals to impose new voter identification requirements, while Ohio approved a stricter constitutional mandate and North Carolina’s measure was leading. The California amendment would have required in-person voters to show government ID or provide the last four digits of that ID for mail ballots. Colorado’s measure would have required mail voters to include the last four digits of a government ID. Trump’s push for a nationwide voter ID law remains stalled in Congress.
Voters protect citizen initiatives in Missouri, reject higher thresholds elsewhere
Missouri voters favored an amendment requiring an 80% legislative supermajority to alter voter-approved initiatives. In North Dakota and South Dakota, voters defeated measures that would have raised the threshold for constitutional amendments to 60%. Utah voters also rejected a 60% threshold for tax-raising citizen initiatives.
Four states pass symbolic noncitizen voting bans
Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia approved constitutional amendments restricting voting to U.S. citizens, reinforcing current practice. Critics call the measures symbolic, noting noncitizen voting is already illegal in federal elections and rare. Some local elections in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., do allow noncitizen voting.
Colorado considers immigration enforcement measure
A proposed Colorado constitutional amendment would require police to notify federal immigration authorities when someone with an illegal or unknown immigration status is charged with a violent crime or faces a new charge after a prior felony conviction. The measure, placed by conservative activists, could bolster Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts if passed.
Arizona voters weigh traffic camera restrictions
Arizona voters decided on a proposal to restrict traffic cameras used for speeding and red-light enforcement. The Republican-led legislature referred the measure after Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a ban. The proposal would halt new camera contracts from 2027 and require local votes on existing systems.
