Blue wave meets ballot box surprises as voters split on abortion, voter ID and billionaire taxes
While Democrats’ midterm sweep dominated Election Night, voters in several states delivered consequential — and sometimes crosscutting — verdicts on voter ID, abortion access, taxes and English-language laws.
Key points
- EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT HOUSE AND SENATE CONTROL, BALLOT MEASURES AND 2026 ELECTION DAY POLL CLOSING In Idaho, voters approved HJR6 in a 63.1% to 36.8% outcome, a measure that makes English the official language of the state, codifying it for use in public proceedings with a constitutional amendment.
- DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH Alongside their English language constitutional amendment, voters in Idaho rejected Proposition 1, which would have created a right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability, except in cases of medical emergency.
- This is a hard-fought win and an example to pro-life voters, candidates and elected officials across the country… Voters were not fooled because pro-life leaders spoke up boldly to expose this initiative," Dannenfelser said in a statement.
DEMOCRATS ‘DIVORCED FROM VOTERS’ AS 5 STATES BACK CITIZEN-ONLY VOTING, BOLSTERING GOP PUSH Voters in Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio all voted to pass voter ID requirements, even as talks among federal lawmakers have stalled on the issue, showcasing that the issue remains a point of public interest.
Additional details
- It compels voters to show ID when voting in person and, for mail and absentee ballots, asks voters to provide the last four digits of their driver's license or Social Security number.
- Had it been successful, the measure would have greatly reduced the state’s current limits on abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman or in cases of rape or incest.
- Although Ohio already had pre-existing in-person voter-ID laws, Issue 3 codified the requirement in the state’s constitution, making it harder to overturn later.
- Finally, in Nevada, Question 7 passed in a 62.1% to 37.8% vote, establishing a constitutional amendment to enact the state’s first voter-ID requirement.
- Read on to learn more about some of the most significant ballot measure results that will be shaping the lives of thousands of Americans.
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