Attempts to reform American democracy seem to be going nowhere in 2024
Across the country, ballot measures to change how elections are run in various states seem to be running into hard times. Ballot measures in Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, South Dakota, Oregon and Montana that would either implement a ranked-choice voting system such as the one in Maine or an all-party primary such as in Alaska or California all appear to be on track to fail (only one such measure, in Washington, D.C., has passed so far).
In addition, Ohio's Issue 1, a ballot measure that would reform the way district lines are drawn in the state by implementing a nonpartisan commission to draw lines (rather than leaving the maps in the hands of the legislature), is also projected to fail. Potentially confusing ballot wording may have impacted voters' decision on the measure.
Moreover, eight states featured ballot measures that would restrict local municipalities from allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, which is permitted in some more liberal cities like San Francisco. Every one of those measures is on track to pass, including one in Missouri that would also ban municipalities in the state from implementing ranked-choice voting for local races.