Ballotpedia's Top Ballot Measures to Watch on Election Night 2023

Bonus section: 2023 Key Ballot Measure Trends

MIDDLETON, Wis., Oct. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Voters in five states will decide on 28 statewide ballot measures in the general election on November 7—the highest number of state ballot measures in an odd-numbered year since 2007.

"During an odd-numbered election year, we highlight more state-specific conflicts because there are, generally, fewer measures overall," said Ryan Byrne, Ballotpedia managing editor and ballot measure team lead. "These elections can be as exciting, contentious, expensive, and important as any race for elected office."

While Ballotpedia's editorial and ballot measure teams are watching all of the ballot measures closely, they identified these as the "top ten to watch" this year.  "These ballot measures relate to broader political debates, such as abortion, marijuana legalization, and taxes, and they can have a sizable influence on policy discussions nationwide," said Byrne.

Ballot Measures to Watch

• Ohio Issue 1: Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative
• Ohio Issue 2: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
• Maine Question 1: Voter Approval of Borrowing Above $1 Billion by State Entities and Electric Cooperatives Initiative
• Maine Question 3: Pine Tree Power Company Initiative
• Maine Question 2: Prohibit Foreign Spending in Elections Initiative
• Maine Question 4: "Right to Repair Law" Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative
• Texas Proposition 1: Right to Farming, Ranching, Timber Production, Horticulture, and Wildlife Management Amendment
• Texas Proposition 3: Prohibit Taxes on Wealth or Net Worth Amendment
• Colorado Proposition HH: Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure
• Local Ballot Measures: Ranked-Choice Voting

Ballot Measure Key Trends in 2023

Abortion: In 2022, following Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, there were six ballot measures addressing abortion, including three constitutional amendments to establish a state constitutional right to abortion. Voters approved each one. In 2023, there is one—Ohio Issue 1, the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative.
Marijuana: Heading into November, marijuana is legal in 23 states and D.C. Fourteen (14) of those 23 states had legalized marijuana through the ballot measure process. Voters in Ohio will decide on Issue 2, which would legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana in the state. About 49.07% of the U.S. population lives in a state where marijuana is legal. Approval of Ohio Issue 2 would increase that percentage to 52.56%.
Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV): Voters in four local jurisdictions decide ranked-choice voting measures on Nov. 7. Three are to adopt RCV, and one is to repeal the electoral system. Since 1965, voters have decided on 63 local ballot measures related to RCV. Voters have approved 80.70% of the local measures to adopt RCV and 50.00% of those to repeal RCV.

About Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia–the encyclopedia of American politics–is the nation's most trusted source of unbiased information on politics, elections and policy. Founded in 2007, Ballotpedia has grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers working on a handful of ballot measures to an essential resource for voters, media and researchers. Ballotpedia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the public interest in creating an educated, engaged electorate, and building a strong, healthy democracy. For free access to 420,000+ encyclopedic, professionally authored and curated articles, visit Ballotpedia.org.

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