General U.S. NewsNov 4, 2026·2 min read

Where voters stand on state ballot measures, from abortion to LGBTQ rights to guns

NPR – Politics

1h ago

Where voters stand on state ballot measures, from abortion to LGBTQ rights to guns

Summary

Voters weighed in on 146 statewide ballot measures across dozens of states. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption Tuesday's midterm elections were a huge sweep for Democrats, among other takeaways . And across 39 states — plus Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands — voters weighed in on 146 statewide ballot measures spanning issues from taxes to transgender rights to traffic cameras to data centers and AI. Three states moved to preserve abortion access The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, leaving the legality and regulation of abortion up to each state. In subsequent elections, over a dozen states have put access to abortion on their ballots — and overwhelmingly moved to secure it. This year, four states considered abortion measures. Several states — including Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia — approved measures reinforcing that U.S. citizenship is required to vote in their elections. Virginia's ban has been moot since the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015, but this measure is seen as a safeguard in case Obergefell v.

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Voters in dozens of states considered 146 statewide ballot measures this midterm cycle, on topics spanning LGBTQ rights, wealth taxes, abortion, redistricting, guns and more. (Image credit: Mario Tama)

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Three states moved to preserve abortion access The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v.[1]

With the latest results, there are now 14 states where voters have backed abortion rights in ballot referendums since Roe v.[2]

Voters weighed in on 146 statewide ballot measures across dozens of states.[3]

Know more: National progressive groups did not invest as heavily in Idaho’s abortion rights ballot measure, with some groups like the ACLU reportedly steering clear because they did not think it went far enough to expand access.[4]

NPR – Politics(this article)1h ago

Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption Tuesday's midterm elections were a huge sweep for Democrats, among other takeaways .

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