Other ballot measures to watch tonight
My colleagues have already taken you through some of 2024's highest-profile ballot measures, but that's just the tip of the iceberg! There are 146 statewide ballot measures being decided today, and they could result in some immediate, dramatic changes to state policy. Here are some of the most important measures to watch:
Eight states (plus Washington, D.C.) could dramatically change how they decide elections this year. Colorado and Idaho could vote to switch to a top-four primary and a ranked-choice general election. Alaska could vote to abolish such a system and return to partisan primaries. Nevada could implement a similar system but with a top-five primary. Montana could switch to a top-four primary with a TBD general election system, while Arizona could switch to a TBD primary system with a ranked-choice general election. South Dakota could also switch to a more conventional top-two primary, while Oregon and Washington, D.C., could add ranked-choice voting to their existing primary system.
Ohio could create an independent commission to draw the state's congressional and state legislative districts and require them to reflect the partisan balance of the state. However, it could be torpedoed by biased ballot language written by Republicans that says the commission would be "required to gerrymander."
Eight states (Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin) will vote on ballot measures that would prohibit noncitizens from voting. However, this is already illegal at the federal level, and although 19 cities nationwide allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, none of them are in these eight states.
Three states (Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota) could legalize recreational marijuana. Massachusetts could go even further and legalize psychedelics. On the other hand, California could increase penalties for drug possession. The Golden State is also considering whether to lift restrictions on rent control to alleviate the state's high housing costs. And Arizona could make it a state crime to cross the border illegally.
Finally, there are a few ballot measures dealing with topics you don't normally associate with politics. For instance, Missouri will vote on whether to legalize sports betting, while Maine will decide whether to adopt a new state flag.
Ballot measures you may be voting on this Election Day