In addition to the composition of Congress and several governorships, Americans spoke out in these midterms on many other issues that were included on the ballots of 39 states and Washington D.C. Taxes, electoral rules, abortion, district maps, the rights of trans people and even the consumption of foie gras were decided at the polls.
Advocates of women's right to terminate pregnancy won significant victories; In several states, voters approved measures to expand access to abortion or rejected initiatives aimed at restricting it. In Virginia, with 62% support, voters passed a legislative proposal guaranteeing the right to reproductive freedom.
In Nevada, voters approved a constitutional amendment that will allow abortion up to the point of “viability” of the fetus and in cases where the woman's health is at stake. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved, with support of more than 60%.
In Missouri, voters rejected a Republican-sponsored amendment that would have banned abortion, with very few exceptions. 55% of voters reaffirmed the right, just two years after they mobilized to reject the ban in force in that State, which was one of the strictest in the country.
By contrast, in Idaho, a majority of voters rejected a proposal aimed at expanding women's rights to terminate pregnancies. The measure, which was rejected with 56% of the votes, would have established “a right to reproductive freedom and privacy” in the State, and would have provided that the Government cannot interfere in most decisions related to abortion.
In Virginia, voters guaranteed that same-sex marriage will remain legal even if the Supreme Court reverses its 2015 decision that legalized it nationwide. In that same state, voters voted in favor of allowing ex-convicts to vote when they are released from prison. Until now, your right to vote could only be restored by the governor or other authorities.
Vermont, one of the most progressive states in the country, voted overwhelmingly to add an amendment to its constitution that guarantees equal protection under the law on the basis of “race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or national origin.”
The midterms, however, also set limits for trans people in several states. In Arizona, it was approved to limit access to school facilities based on the sex assigned at birth. In Colorado and Washington State, barriers will be placed in school sports based on biological sex; Colorado also banned gender-affirming surgery for minors.
No more taxes for billionaires
In California, without having counted all the votes (more than 60%), a majority rejection of the proposal to create a single tax on fortunes of more than 1,000 million dollars was already taken for granted. On the other hand, the initiative that authorizes the State to issue $11.25 billion in bonds to finance affordable housing programs did pass.
Voters in Tennessee approved a constitutional amendment that prohibits the state government from imposing a property tax, which has not been collected since 1949. In Arizona, cities and municipalities were prohibited from raising taxes on food until July 2027. In North Carolina, they approved an amendment to limit the personal income tax to a maximum of 3.5%.
In Florida, a measure was passed that substantially increases tax breaks for primary residences and cuts the annual increase limit on nonresidential property assessments in half. The proposal caused much controversy because, while its defenders claim that it will provide massive and necessary economic relief in the face of inflation, critics argue that it will reduce local budgets, putting at risk the financing of essential public services such as police, firefighters and education.
Citizens of some States also spoke out about the rules of the elections. In Maryland, residents approved, with 60% of the vote, that only the state Assembly can modify the distribution of electoral districts. In Missouri, with 61% voting against, voters rejected the district map proposed in 2025, which mainly modified the Kansas City area. The state Supreme Court had already ordered the 2022 map to be used in these elections.
In the States of Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia, it was approved to specify in their constitution that only US citizens can vote. In Arizona, with 85% counted, citizens rejected an amendment to the state Constitution to require a government-issued ID and proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in local elections — even when voting by mail. The amendment also prohibited noncitizens from making campaign contributions.
In Montana, voters approved a proposal that prohibits “legal entities”—including nonprofit organizations, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations operating in the state—from making contributions to political campaigns. A Supreme Court ruling eliminated limits on candidate financing, which led to the rise of “dark money.” This practice allows a foreign company or government seeking to influence politics to donate money through an opaque entity.
A Winchester or a Colt
One of the most controversial issues in the country, the regulation of gun ownership, was also present on the ballots of some States. Arkansas overwhelmingly approved (with more than 70% of the vote) guaranteeing the right to keep and bear arms without any limitations.
Massachusetts, which has some of the strictest gun regulations in the country, voted to keep them.
In Idaho, voters were asked to choose the state's official firearm from six different makes and models. The Winchester Model 1873—known as “the gun that conquered the West”—won. A Colt, a Remington and a Garand rifle lost the fight.
The anthem in schools
The conservative State of Alabama passed requiring public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily and allow student-led prayer in schools. Additionally, they must play or perform the first verse of the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, at least once a week during school hours.
At least 38 jurisdictions voted on the extensive facilities needed to advance artificial intelligence. Voters in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin voted to restrict data centers.
