This upcoming 2026 election cycle features several ballot initiatives covering a range of issues such as voter identification, abortion, and data centers, among others.
In total, over 140 measures across 40 states will address key political hot topics. Various states, from Virginia to California, are putting forward proposals for voters to consider amending their state constitutions regarding election processes and social issues.
Specifically, in Idaho, Virginia, and Missouri, voters will determine the fate of abortion laws within those states. Measures proposed in Virginia and Nevada aim to secure the right to abortion in their constitutions before fetal viability, which typically occurs at around 24 weeks.
Virginia’s Question 1 is particularly notable because it would also prevent laws that impose restrictions on “personal decisions” pertaining to prenatal care, birth control, and postpartum treatment, as stated by the Virginia Department of Elections. In January, Democratic lawmakers in Virginia advanced a constitutional amendment on abortion rights for inclusion on the November ballot.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington sent out a letter on September 12 encouraging Virginians to support the “Catholics Vote No” campaign, urging opposition to Ballot Questions 1 and 2. The second initiative in Virginia seeks to eliminate a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage if the Supreme Court were to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which ruled state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
🚨A RARE MOVE by a Virginia Bishop Ahead of Election Day “Catholic Bishop Michael Burbidge says he has never before asked every priest in his diocese to do what he requested this weekend: read a letter at Mass urging Catholics to oppose two Virginia constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage.” “Across 70 parishes serving more than 430,000 Catholics in Northern Virginia, worshippers heard Burbidge warn against what he called ‘two dangerous ballot initiatives’—proposed constitutional amendments that Virginians will decide Nov. 3. Early voting begins Friday.” “The effort follows a joint statement Burbidge issued with Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout in August. In his latest letter, Burbidge urged parishioners to pledge to vote at https://t.co/kJzKhv4RZd, cast ballots early beginning Friday, and encourage their family, friends, and colleagues to oppose the amendments.” … MORE:⬇️ https://t.co/DdCxpfV172 Video: Statement of Bishop Burbidge Instructing Catholics to Vote ‘No’ on Virginia Ballot Questions 1 & 2
— Virginia News Vanguard (@VaNewsVanguard) September 14, 2026
In his letter, Burbidge stated, “[Ballot Question 1] threatens the health and safety of mothers and would allow for abortions targeting healthy babies all the way up to birth.” He expressed concerns that the amendment would even extend these rights to minors, disregarding parental involvement in significant decisions regarding their daughters.
Burbidge characterized the proposed amendment as “extreme, unnecessary, and wrong.”
Governor Abigail Spanberger and Attorney General Jay Jones of Virginia, both Democrats, have voiced their support for the two amendments. Various Catholic parishes in the state, including the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, are actively registering parishioners to vote as part of the “Catholics Say No” initiative.
According to the Virginia Catholic Conference, there are over 693,000 registered Catholic voters in the Dioceses of Arlington and Richmond.
Another significant measure appears in Idaho, aiming to overturn a near-total abortion ban and establish a woman’s right to access abortion until viability. Previously, Idaho passed a law in 2020 that severely restricted abortions to cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s life, with violations leading to severe legal penalties.
In Missouri, Amendment 3 would reverse a 2024 reproductive rights amendment, imposing a ban on almost all abortions and surgeries related to gender transition for minors.
Meanwhile, California’s Proposition 40 would implement a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires, generating funds to support education, health, and nutritional services. There are questions regarding the actual revenue this measure may generate, although some estimates suggest it could raise tens of millions of dollars in the short term while potentially reducing state income tax revenue.
The rationale behind the wealth tax centers on mitigating the effects of federal and state funding cuts to essential services. This measure aims to set up a dedicated fund to manage the proceeds effectively.
Concerns have surfaced about the temporary nature of this tax, its limited application to only specific services, and uncertain reactions from the wealthy regarding the tax implications.
In Florida, Amendment 3 proposes a constitutional change that would increase the homestead tax exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. This proposal would initially offer new Floridians a reduced exemption until they have resided in the state for five years, also imposing limitations on local spending of property tax revenue.
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the need for this amendment, citing skyrocketing property tax revenue, which has reached nearly $83 billion and urging for immediate taxpayer relief.
In addition, voters across more than 15 states will consider measures surrounding voting processes and identification requirements. States like Arizona, Arkansas, and others are aiming to amend their constitutions to restrict voting to U.S. citizens only, while several states will discuss amendments that would introduce specific voter ID requirements for in-person and mail-in voting.
Massachusetts voters are also considering a new law to allow same-day voter registration, addressing concerns that the current law, which demands pre-registration at least ten days before the election, disenfranchises many voters. Supporters argue same-day registration can boost voter participation, while some remain worried about the potential disruptions it might cause on Election Day.
In Alaska, there will be a vote to repeal a prior measure related to ranked-choice voting, impacting the state’s open primary system.
Various measures in California, Colorado, and elsewhere aim to expand voter ID laws, while in Virginia, an amendment is proposed to restore voting rights to convicted felons upon release—a necessary change, as Virginia currently has one of the strictest processes for restoring such rights.
Furthermore, around 39 measures regarding data centers will appear on ballots in eight states. Ohio voters will face multiple initiatives concerning energy consumption by data centers, with some aiming to restrict facilities that exceed set energy usage and others requiring developers to provide financial guarantees if they receive tax incentives.
Concerns have been raised over the impact of data centers on electricity costs, which have seen significant increases in various states. There’s also a troubling incident from a New Jersey data center that resulted in a substantial diesel fuel spill.
Redistricting issues will also be tackled, with voters in Missouri considering whether to repeal congressional district changes made by the state legislature. In Colorado, a proposition would impose stricter requirements on redrawing congressional maps in the future.
In terms of gender and sports, measures proposed in Washington, Arizona, and Nebraska aim to limit participation of trans-identifying athletes in teams aligning with their gender identity. In Colorado, a similar proposition would prohibit gender-reassignment surgeries and other related procedures for minors.
Education-related proposals are present as well, with Alabama considering a requirement for schools to play the national anthem annually and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Arizona and Wisconsin are proposing measures to eliminate affirmative action in educational and governmental contexts.
The Supreme Court’s recent rulings against race-based admissions amplify the importance of these measures as they reshape the future landscape of educational policies.
