Voters in 39 States Decide 146 Ballot Measures in Midterms
Voters decided 146 statewide ballot measures in the 2026 midterm elections, held November 3, across 39 states, the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands, NPR reported. Ballot measures are questions that go directly to voters instead of to lawmakers. The measures covered topics including abortion, LGBTQ rights, guns and wealth taxes.
Four states considered abortion measures. Three of them passed protections, and Idaho voters preserved the state's abortion ban, which dates to 2022.
In Missouri, voters rejected a Republican-led amendment to the state constitution that would have banned abortion with few exceptions. In Nevada, voters approved a measure to put abortion rights up to the point of viability, the stage at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, into the state constitution. Nevada law requires a proposed constitutional amendment to pass in two consecutive elections, and the 2026 vote was the second approval.
Virginia voters created a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution. The amendment protects abortion during the first two trimesters of pregnancy and afterward in certain cases. It also includes rights to contraception, fertility treatment and postpartum care.
Several states voted on voting rules. Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio passed measures that toughen voter identification requirements. California voted against a similar effort. Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia approved measures that reinforce that U.S. citizenship is required to vote.
Redistricting, the drawing of congressional district lines, also appeared on ballots. Missouri voters rejected a Republican-friendly congressional map. Maryland voters passed a redistricting amendment.
On transgender issues, two states voted on measures to restrict gender-affirming care for minors, according to Reuters. Colorado's measure would ban transition-related surgeries for minors.
