August 2026 Hot Sheet: Attacks on Democracy Igniting Voter Engagement
By: Hillary-Anne Crosby, Senior Manager of Public Policy Communications
Welcome back to The Hot Sheet!
Here, we give you a quick rundown of what you need to know about the ballot measure landscape — the trends, legislative analysis, highlights of what’s on the ballot, and why it all matters.
For more in-depth analysis, our latest voter attitudes research, and information on the measures we’re tracking, head to our Ballot Measure Hub.
The Toplines
- As of August 5, BISC is tracking a total of 154 ballot measures, with 131 measures certified for the 2026 ballot. Two of these will appear in the upcoming primary election in Oklahoma. One passed in Alaska’s August 18 election.
- Courts have removed two legislatively-referred measures in Arizona that targeted unions and accountability for a school voucher program, ruling that both violated the state’s single-subject requirement.
- Research shows that efforts to suppress the power of the people are fueling resistance and driving voters to take action to defend our democracy.
- A legislatively-referred measure in Florida would significantly expand homestead exemptions and reduce local property tax revenue, leaving local communities on the hook to cut essential services or raise other taxes to make up the difference.
- An initiative in Washington is attempting to repeal a 2028 tax on income over $1,000,000 intended to fund education, healthcare, a working families’ tax credit, and more.
- With anti-revenue ballot measures on the rise, BISC’s latest research finds that voters feel conflicted over threats to essential community services versus potential for increased affordability.
2026 Qualified Ballot Measures
As of August 5, BISC is tracking 131 measures certified for 2026 ballots. Two of these will appear in the upcoming primary election in Oklahoma. One passed in Alaska’s August 18 election.
In late July, Arizona courts removed two legislatively-referred measures that targeted unions and accountability for a school voucher program, ruling that both violated the state’s single-subject requirement.
As of July 31, BISC continues to monitor 209 bills related to direct democracy filed around the country. Of these, at least 77 feature some level of attack on the People’s Tool.
Emerging Trend
Attacks on Democracy Igniting Voter Engagement
In the lead-up to this November’s general election, Americans have witnessed escalating attacks on our democratic rights. The laundry list of examples includes voter roll purges, a Supreme Court decision to weaken the voting power of Black and Brown communities, a (failed) legislative measure that proposed the country’s most extreme standard for ballot initiatives, and an FBI raid on an Ohio voting rights organization.
But, unsurprisingly, the public blowback to these nefarious proposals has been fierce. Efforts to undermine the power of the people are driving increased political engagement from voters eager to defend their individual liberties and American democracy at large. Only time and election results will tell if voters’ attitudes toward these attacks was enough to stifle further bad-faith attempts, but the research looks promising.
For example, BISC’s multi-state research on ballot initiatives shows that not only are voters overwhelmingly opposed to government attacks on direct democracy, 4 in 5 say they are less likely to support lawmakers who interfere with the People’s Tool or attempt to overturn the will of the people. And recent research from the HIT Strategies Black Opps Project reveals that attempts to undermine Black political power are increasingly motivating Black voters to defend their freedoms at the polls. For example, 75% of Black voters say they are willing to take three or more political actions (e.g. voting, signing petitions, registering voters, etc.) compared to 62% in October 2025.
Examples of upcoming anti-democratic ballot measures that could fuel voter resistance include a Nevada photo ID voting requirement, a legislatively-referred measure in Utah requiring citizen-led efforts to pass by at least 60% if they include certain tax-related changes, and an Idaho ban on citizen-backed proposals regarding marijuana and other substances.
Ballot Measures to Watch
Issue: Fiscal Policy
Florida Amendment 3: Homestead Tax Exemptions, Property Assessments, and Spending Restrictions Amendment (LR)
What It Does: The legislatively-referred measure would increase the state’s existing homestead tax exemption, reduce the assessment growth cap on non-homesteaded properties, and make it possible to phase out non-school property taxes — primarily to the benefit of major property owners like billionaires and large corporations.
Why It Matters: According to Save Our Services – No on 3, a statewide coalition fighting to defeat the amendment, local communities would be forced to either cut essential services or raise other taxes and fees to make up the difference. Services at risk could include firefighting and EMS, after-school programs for children, hurricane shelters, and more.
Washington: Millionaire Income Tax Repeal (CI)
What It Does: Proposed by millionaire Brian Heywood, the measure would repeal a 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000, which is set to take effect in 2028. The measure would also prohibit any taxes measured by individual income.
Why It Matters: The tax at risk of repeal is intended to increase state funding for K-12 and higher education, healthcare, the working families’ tax credit, and more. Following a federal tax break that resulted in the state’s highest-income households receiving an average federal tax break of over $90,00 (compared to lowest-income households’ $200 savings), the legislature proposed the tax as a means of balancing Washington’s tax code.
BISC ANALYSIS: Attacks on State Revenue Leave Working Families to Foot the Bill: This year, voters across the country will be asked to decide ballot measures designed to ban, limit, or overturn taxes that provide critical funding for essential services and community assets — and it’s working families who end up paying the price. For example, when local governments are forced to raise their sales tax to maintain funding for public safety services, low- and middle-income families see their wallets disproportionately affected. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy has calculated that in states with the most regressive tax structures (including Florida and Washington), the lowest-income 20% actually pay three times as much of their income in taxes compared to the wealthiest 1%.
BISC’s latest research shows that voters are nearly evenly split over concern that tax cuts reduce funding for public services that communities rely on versus confidence that the cuts make life more affordable. But this November, voters should be wary of being sold a bill of goods that comes at such a high cost to working families.
In Case You Missed It
BISC’S Free Summer Training Series: Road Trip to Victory: BISC’s virtual summer training series is winding down, but it’s not too late to sign up for the remaining modules ahead of Labor Day! This training program is designed for ballot measure leaders navigating real-time campaign challenges. Led by experienced practitioners from across the country, sessions are grounded in today’s political environment and focused on practical strategies campaigns can use immediately. While primarily designed for active 2026 campaigns, the series is also open to organizers planning for 2027 and beyond. Sign up today!
BISC’S Substack: Direct Democracy Dispatch: At this pivotal moment for our democracy, it’s never been more important to keep up with the rapidly changing ballot measure landscape and find resources to support the campaigns driving real change. Whether it’s sharing campaign updates, uplifting the ballot measure leaders running these campaigns, breaking down the top ballot measure news stories of the day, or analyzing the latest trends, #DirectDemocracyDispatch is home to everything you need to stay engaged, informed, and involved as the 2026 elections approach. Subscribe to our Substack now so you don’t miss a thing!
BISC’s Resource Library: Our Partner Portal Resource Library houses ballot measure information ranging from campaign tools, templates, and past campaign materials (Values, MOUS, RFPs, etc.) — to campaign debriefs and memos highlighting best practices. This library is a unique resource that can help campaigns and organizations build strategies and operationalize racial equity. To request access to the library, please email [email protected]