November’s elections will determine control of the U.S. Senate and House, but there are also a number of key ballot measures that will shape the lives of working people across the country. The minimum wage could go up in multiple states, abortion protections could be enshrined in state constitutions, taxes on the wealthy may rise to fund infrastructure and education, and Medicaid could be expanded to tens of thousands of people without health insurance.
Below is a round-up of key economic-justice ballot initiatives that More Perfect Union is monitoring. Email us at [email protected] with any ballot measures we are missing.
Abortion
California
Prohibits the state from denying an individual’s reproductive freedom, including access to abortion and contraceptives.
Kansas
Removes the right to abortion from the state constitution. Watch our coverage. Result: Failed
Kentucky
Amends the state constitution to ban abortion.
Michigan
Amends the constitution to protect abortion rights.
Montana
Declares that infants “born alive” at any stage of development are “legal persons” and would require medical care be provided to them following induced labor, cesarean section, or attempted abortion. Violation punishable by a $50,000 fine and a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Vermont
Amends constitution to protect abortion rights.
Debt
Arizona
Creates protection from predatory debt collection. Read our coverage.
Education
Colorado
Reduce tax deductions for the wealthy to provide free school meals to all students in Colorado public schools and increase wages for employees that prepare and serve food.
Massachusetts
Creates an additional tax of 4% for income over $1 million to fund education and infrastructure.
Housing
Colorado
Provides $300 Million in funding towards affordable housing.
Health Care
Oregon
Amends the constitution to declare affordable healthcare a fundamental right for every Oregonian. Read our coverage.
South Dakota
Amends the constitution to expand Medicaid. Watch our coverage.
Infrastructure
California
Increases taxes on over $2 million by 1.75% to fund electric vehicle subsidies and charging stations, as well as wildfire suppression and prevention programs.
Labor Rights
Illinois
Establishes the right to collective bargaining for employees. Read our coverage.
Tennessee
Enshrines “right-to-work” in the state constitution, making it harder for working people to form unions and collectively bargain.
Marijuana
Maryland
Legalizes marijuana for personal use.
Missouri
Legalizes marijuana for personal use.
South Dakota
Legalizes marijuana for personal use.
Minimum Wage
Nebraska
Raises minimum wage to $15/hr by 2026.
Nevada
Raises minimum wage to $12/hr by 2024.
Washington, DC
Increases the minimum wage for tipped employees from $5.05 in 2021 to match the minimum wage of non-tipped employees in 2027. Watch our coverage.
Prison Reform
Louisiana
Removes slavery as a criminal punishment.
Oregon
Removes slavery as a criminal punishment.
Tennessee
Removes slavery as a criminal punishment.
Vermont
Removes slavery and indentured servitude as a way to repay debts.
