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Billionaire taxes, trans rights, abortion, voting rights: This year’s biggest state votes
Developed over time first seen 2 weeks ago
Voters across the United States face a wide range of state ballot measures in the 3 November 2026 midterm elections. The National Conference of State Legislatures counts 146 measures on November ballots in 39 states, covering taxes, abortion, school sports and election rules. One of the most prominent is California’s Proposition 40, which would impose a one-off tax of up to 5 per cent on the wealth of certain billionaires. Its official voter guide says 90 per cent of the proceeds would go to healthcare. The state’s legislative analyst estimates that the measure could raise tens of billions of dollars over several years, while also warning that its longer-term effect on income tax receipts is uncertain.
The votes also put contested social and democratic questions directly to electors. Four states have abortion-related measures: Missouri would revisit a constitutional protection approved in 2024, while Idaho, Nevada and Virginia are considering different provisions on access and regulation. Measures elsewhere address transgender participation in school sports, citizenship requirements for voting and other election procedures. The proposals differ substantially by state, so their effects will depend on the wording of each measure and the result in each jurisdiction.
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In short
- Voters in 39 states will decide 146 measures on 3 November.
- California is considering a one-off wealth tax on billionaires.
- Abortion, school sports and voting rules are also on state ballots.
How this story developed
- 2 weeks ago Voters across the United States face a wide range of state ballot measures in the 3 November 2026 midterm elections. The National Conference of State Legislatures counts 146 measures on November ballots in 39 states, covering taxes, abortion, school sports and election rules.
- Politico Billionaire taxes, trans rights, abortion, voting rights: This year’s biggest state votes
- California Secretary of State Proposition 40 Official Title and Summary
- California Secretary of State Proposition 40 Analysis
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of these measures argue that voters should decide consequential state policies directly, especially where legislatures have not settled disputes or public opinion is sharply divided. They may see wealth taxes as a way to fund healthcare, and ballot measures on abortion, sports and elections as opportunities to protect rights, set clear rules or ensure confidence in democratic processes.
The case against
Opponents argue that complex questions can be reduced to oversimplified ballot choices, with lasting consequences that vary by state and may be difficult to reverse. They may question whether a one-off wealth tax would reliably fund services over time, and warn that measures on abortion, transgender participation or voting could restrict individual rights or create unintended effects.
Explained simply
State ballot measures let voters decide particular laws or constitutional changes directly, rather than leaving the decision solely to elected lawmakers. In the 3 November 2026 midterm elections, 146 such measures are listed across 39 states, covering issues including taxes, abortion, school sports and election rules.
California’s Proposition 40 would impose a one-off tax of up to 5 per cent on the wealth of some billionaires; its voter guide says most of the money raised would go to healthcare. Other proposals concern abortion access, transgender pupils’ participation in school sports, voter citizenship requirements and election procedures. Their wording and likely effects vary from state to state.
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