Progressive Ballot Measures: 2022 Election Results

11/09/2022

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For Immediate Release:
November 9, 2022

Media Contact:
Charlotte Bennett, [email protected] 

 

Progressive Ballot Measures:
2022 Election Results

—Updated as of 10:00 am EST, November 9th, 2022—

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, November 8th, voters in 37 states voted on 132 statewide ballot measures, plus DC’s city-wide measure to address the wages of tipped workers. 

Last night, ballot measures delivered on critical issues affecting our communities directly. From reproductive rights, to abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude, wage increases, to defending the ballot measure process itself, the Will of the People was a powerful voice towards the country we envision and are creating right now. 

Even when voters supported conservative politicians, we witnessed their support for progressive policies. Ballot measures are a tried and true way of bypassing partisan politics and turning People Power into policies that transcend divides and improve lives. 

Last night’s victories belong to BISC’s amazing, long-time partnerships. Thank you to the on-the-ground partners and organizers, who have worked so hard for so long in vulnerable communities to ensure the Will of the People was uplifted. Their incredible work and perseverance changed the trajectory of this election. 

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo issued the following statement: 

“For years, BISC has been organizing and on the ground with so many of these campaigns, building deep relationships with campaign leaders, providing training, and ensuring that campaigns were being supported not only during election season but throughout the 360 ballot measure campaign lifeycle. 

As we move forward, BISC’s work is clear: we must defend direct democracy and the Will of the People. We must implement voter-approved initiatives. We must build off these victories as we move towards equity, justice and freedom for all. Together, we will ensure the Will of the People prevails.”

Ballot measures provide voters with one of the most direct ways to shape their government and their lives. Here are the updates so far:

BISC’s Progressive Ballot Measures to Watch:

Ballot Initiative Process

  • Arizona: Prop 132: Requires a 60% supermajority vote of approval for initiated constitutional amendments and initiated state statutes to be adopted. (oppose) 51% Yes/49% No
  • Arizona: Prop 128: Allows the legislature to amend or repeal voter-approved ballot measures that contain provisions ruled unconstitutional or invalid by the state or federal supreme court. (oppose) 36% Yes/64% No – DEFEATED
  • Arizona: Prop 129: Arizona votes against single-subject requirement for ballot initiatives. (oppose) 55% Yes/45% No
    • Arkansas: Issue 2: Requires a 60% supermajority vote of approval for initiated constitutional amendments and initiated state statutes to be adopted. (oppose) 41% Yes/59% No – DEFEATED
  • Colorado: Prop GG: Requires a table showing changes in income tax owed for average taxpayers in certain brackets to be included in the ballot title and fiscal summary for any citizen initiative that would increase or decrease the individual income tax rate (support) 71% Yes/29% No – PASSED
  • Florida: Amendment 2: Abolishes the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. (support) 54% Yes/46% No – DEFEATED


Reproductive Rights

  • Michigan: Proposal 3: Reproductive Freedom Amendment. (support) 56% Yes/44% No – PASSED

  • Vermont: Prop 5: Provides a state constitutional right to personal reproductive autonomy. (support) 77% Yes/23% No – PASSED
  • California: Prop 1: Provides a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom, including the right to an abortion. (support) 65 yes/35% No – PASSED
  • Kentucky: Amendment 2: Amends the Kentucky Constitution to state that it does not provide a right to an abortion or public abortion funding. (oppose) 47.5% Yes/52.5% No – DEFEATED
  • Montana: LR-131: Requires medical care be provided to infants born alive and convicts healthcare providers that do not provide care with a felony. (oppose) 48% Yes/52% No – DEFEATED

 

Civil Rights 

  • Arkansas: Amendment 3: Amends the state constitution to provide that “government shall not burden a person’s freedom of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.” (oppose) 49% Yes/50% No
  • Iowa: Amendment 1: Adds a right to own and bear firearms to the Iowa Constitution and requires strict scrutiny for any alleged violations of the right brought before a court. (oppose) 65% Yes/35% No – PASSED
  • Massachusetts: Question 4: Would repeal House Bill 4805 (H 4805), which authorized driver’s license applicants to include individuals who cannot provide proof of lawful presence, including an individual ineligible for a social security number. (oppose) 53% Yes/47% No
  • Nevada: Question 1: Adds a new section to the Nevada Constitution that states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender id entity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.” (support) 57% Yes/43% No
  • Oregon: Measure 114: Enacts a law outlining a procedure to apply for a permit-to-purchase a firearm and prohibits ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. (support) 50% Yes/49% No – PASSED
  • West Virginia: Amendment 3: Authorizes the incorporation of religious denominations and churches. (oppose) 45% Yes/55% No – DEFEATED

 

Democracy

  • Alaska: Measure 1: A “yes” vote supports holding a state constitutional convention. A “no” vote opposes holding a state constitutional convention. A constitutional convention consists of elected delegates that proposed changes to the state’s constitution. Any proposed changes, including a rewritten constitution, must be approved by voters. (oppose) 70% No/30% Yes – DEFEATED
  • Arizona: Prop 211: The law would require entities and persons spending over $50,000 on statewide campaigns or$25,000 on other campaigns, not including personal monies and business income, to disclose the original donor of contributions over $5,000; and create additional reporting and enforcement provisions. (oppose) 73% Yes/27% No – PASSED
  • Arizona: Prop 309: Requiring state, federal, or tribal issued photo-ID to vote in-person, early, and by mail.Required affidavits to be completed for early voting. (oppose) 49% Yes/51% No
    • Connecticut: Question 1: An Amendment to the state constitution to permit early voting. (support) 59% Yes/40% No – PASSED
    • Michigan: Proposal 1: Changes the term limits requirement for state legislators and financial disclosure requirements for state executive and legislative officials. (support) 66% Yes/34% No – PASSED
    • Michigan: Proposal 2: Promote the Vote: The initiative would amend the Michigan Constitution to provide voters with the right to vote without harassment, interference, or intimidation. It would also guarantee that military and overseas ballots postmarked by election day are counted. It would require a photo ID or a signed affidavit to vote. It would authorize voters to drop off absentee ballots at drop boxes. It would allow nine days of early voting and require public disclosure of donations from private entities. (support) 59% Yes/41% No – PASSED
    • Missouri: Constitutional Convention Question: A “yes” vote will require the governor to call an election of delegates to serve at a convention for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. Any revisions or amendments will then be put to a vote of the people for their consideration. A “no” vote will mean no constitutional convention will be held. (oppose) 40% Yes/60% No – DEFEATED
    • Nebraska: Initiative 432: Require a valid photographic identification to vote. (oppose) 66% Yes/34% No – PASSED
    • Nevada: Question 3: Establishes open top-five primaries and ranked-choice voting for general elections. (neutral) 52% Yes/48% No
  • Ohio: Issue 2: Prohibit local governments from allowing non-citizens to vote. (oppose) 77% Yes/23% No – PASSED
  • Oregon: Measure 113: Excludes state legislators from re-election for unexcused legislative absenteeism. (support) 68% Yes/32% No – PASSED


Health Justice

  • California: Prop 29: Enacts staffing requirements, reporting requirements, ownership disclosure, and closing requirements for chronic dialysis clinics. (neutral) 70% No/30% Yes – DEFEATED
  • Oregon: Measure 111: Amends the Oregon Constitution to add that the state “ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right.” (support)
  • South Dakota: Amendment D: Amends the constitution to require South Dakota to provide Medicaid benefits to adults between 18 and 65 with incomes below 133% of the federal poverty level. (support) 56% Yes/44% No


Education

  • California: Prop 28: Provides additional funding for arts and music education in public schools (1% of funding). (neutral) 62% Yes/38% No – PASSED
  • Colorado: Prop FF: Reduces the allowable state income tax deduction amounts; creates and funds the Healthy School Meals for All Program. (support) 55% Yes/45% No – PASSED
  • New Mexico: Amendment 1: Funds devoted to early childhood programs from the Land Grant Permanent Fund. (support) 70% Yes/30% No 
  • West Virginia: Amendment 4: Requires the State Board of Education to Submit Any Proposed Rules to the Legislature to Approve Amend or Reject. (oppose) 42% Yes/58% No – DEFEATED


Environmental Protection

  • California: Prop 30: Clean Cars Act: Increases the tax on personal income above $2 million by 1.75% and dedicates revenue to zero-emission vehicle projects and wildfire prevention programs. (support) 59% No/41% Yes – DEFEATED


Criminal Legal Reform

  • Alabama: Amendment 1: Allows the state legislature to provide for offenses for which bail may be denied. (oppose)  80% Yes/20% No

  • Alabama: Amendment 10: Ratify the updated Alabama constitution, which removes racist language and abolishes slavery with no exceptions. (support) 75% Yes/25% No
    • Arkansas: Issue 4: Authorize the possession, personal use, and consumption of cannabis by adults, to authorize the cultivation and sale of cannabis by licensed commercial facilities, and to provide for the regulation of those facilities. (neutral) 44% Yes/56% No – DEFEATED
  • Colorado: Prop 122: Creates a natural medicine services program for the supervised administration of dimethyltryptamine, ibogaine, mescaline (excluding peyote), psilocybin, and psilocyn; creates a framework for regulating the growth, distribution, and sale of such substances to permitted entities; creates the Natural Medicine Advisory Board. (support) 51% Yes/49% No – PASSED
  • Louisiana: Amendment 7: Removes language in the state constitution that allows slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. (oppose) 39% Yes/61% No
  • Maryland: Question 4: Amends the Maryland Constitution to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana and direct the legislature to pass law for the use, distribution, regulation, and taxation of marijuana. (support) 66% Yes/34% No – PASSED
  • Missouri: Amendment 4: The general assembly may by law increase minimum funding for a police force. (oppose) 62% Yes/38% No – PASSED
  • Missouri: Amendment 3: Legalizes the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacturing, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one; allows individuals convicted of nonviolent marijuana-related offenses to petition to be released from incarceration and/or have their records expunged; and imposes a 6% tax on the sale of marijuana. (support) 53% Yes/47% No – PASSED
  • Montana: C-48: Requires search warrant to access a person’s electronic data. (support) – 82% Yes/12% No
  • North Dakota: Statutory Measure 2: Legalizes the possession of cannabis for adults 21 and older; allows individuals to grow up to three cannabis plants; establishes by October 1, 2023, an adult-use cannabis program to regulate production and distribution. (support) 45% Yes/55% No – DEFEATED
  • Ohio: Issue 1: Requires Ohio judges to “use factors such as public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person’s criminal record” when setting amounts and conditions of bail. (oppose) 78% Yes/22% No – PASSED
  • Oregon: Measure 112: Repeals language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments and authorizes an Oregon court or a probation or parole agency to order alternatives to incarceration for a convicted individual. (support) 54% Yes/46% No – PASSED
  • South Dakota: Measure 27: Adults 21 years and older may possess one oz or less of marijuana and may distribute one oz or less without payment or other consideration. May grow plants in counties or cities where there is no licensed retailer or where the city or county allows. Creates civil penalties for violations of marijuana restrictions. (support) 47% Yes/53% No 
  • Tennessee: Amendment 3: Repeals language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. (support)  79% Yes/21% No – PASSED
  • Vermont: Proposal 2: Slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited; Repeal language stating that persons could be held as servants, slaves, or apprentices with the person’s consent or “for the payments of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like. (support) 89% Yes/11% No


Economic Justice

  • Arizona: Prop 308: Allowing non-citizen students to receive in-state college tuition. (support) 49% Yes/51% No
  • Arizona: Prop 209: Limits interest rates for debt from healthcare services and increases the value of certain property and earnings exempt from debt collections processes. (support) 72% Yes/28% No – PASSED
    • Colorado: Prop 125: Allows retail establishments licensed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption to offer a delivery service or provide for a third-party alcohol delivery service. (oppose) 50% Yes/50% No
  • DC: Initiative 82: Increases the minimum wage for tipped employees to the minimum wage for non-tipped employees. (support) 74% Yes/26% No – PASSED
  • Illinois: Amendment 1: Creates a state constitutional right to collective bargaining. (support) 59% Yes/41% No
  • Nebraska: Initiative 433: Increase the state’s minimum wage incrementally to $15 by 2026. (support) 58% Yes/42% No – PASSED
  • Nevada: Question 2: Incrementally increases the minimum wage in Nevada to $12 per hour for all employees by July 1, 2024. (support) 54% Yes/36% No
  • Tennessee: Amendment 1: Proposes adding a provision establishing the right to work regardless of status of affiliation with any labor union or employee organization. (oppose) 70% Yes/30% No – PASSED

 

 

Fiscal Policy

  • Arizona: Prop 130: Allows the legislature to set certain property tax exemption amounts and qualifications rather than determining details in the constitution. (neutral) 64% Yes/36% No
    • California: Prop 28: Provides additional funding for arts and music education in public schools (1% of funding). (neutral) 62% Yes/38% No – PASSED
    • California: Prop 26: Online betting: Only offered by Indian Tribes or those who contract with them. 10% tax 85% goes to Education. 15% goes to Tribes. (neutral)
    • California: Prop 27: Legalize sports betting in California and distribute 85 percent of the revenue to a homelessness prevention and mental health support fund. (oppose) 30% Yes/70% No – DEFEATED
  • Colorado: Prop 121: Reduce the state income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.40% for tax years commencing on or after 1/1/2022. (oppose) 65% Yes/34% No – PASSED
  • Colorado: Prop 123: Affordable Housing: Directs the state legislature to allocate one-third of one percent of all revenue received from individual, corporation, estate, and trust federal taxable income to the state education fund and allowing the state to spend the money as a voter-approved revenue change (neutral) 51% Yes/49% No
  • Massachusetts: Question 1: Creates a 4% tax on incomes that exceed $1 million for education and transportation purposes. (support) 51% Yes/49% No – PASSED
  • West Virginia: Amendment 2: Authorizes the state legislature to exempt personal property (machinery, equipment, and inventory) used for business activity from ad valorem property taxes. (oppose) 35% Yes/65% No – DEFEATED

 

If you’re interested in speaking with BISC’s Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo on the ballot initiatives results coming in please reach out to Charlotte Bennett at [email protected]. 


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