Propositions/Ballot Measures in 2024

Whilst Trump’s election as President took all the headlines in 2024, a series of ballot measures, sometimes referred to as propositions or initiatives were voted upon across the country.

These ballot measures are a great example of direct democracy and citizens in individual states voting on changes to their state’s constitution. Let’s look at some of those that were voted upon in 2024.

Abortion:

10 states held ballot measures on abortion laws. South Dakota rejected a measure that would have made abortion easier, and Nebraska codified a 12 week ban into their constitution. In Missouri, Arizona, Montana and Nevada, amendments that gave the right to an abortion were passed.

The issue of abortion has been most heavily debated in Florida where the governor Ron De Santis banned abortion after 6 weeks. An amendment which proposed that the 6-week ban would have been scrapped and made abortion legal before 24 weeks got 57% of the votes cast. Campaigners for abortion rights were too be disappointed however as Florida’s ballot measure rules determined that any ballot measure needed to achieve 60% of the vote to become law.

Gerrymandering

In Ohio, there was a vote on whether to create an independent redistricting commission. Currently, Congressional districts are drawn by the state legislature and are usually drawn to favour the incumbents in a controversial process known as gerrymandering. Ohio voted against the ballot measure.

Crime and Policing

There were also a number of measures that focused on crime and sentencing. In California, there was widespread support for a measure that would increase the penalties for drug crimes and some thefts. In Colorado, there was support for a measure that deny bail for those facing first degree murder charges as well as a separate measure to increase funding for the police.

How much was spent?

Approximately $1.2billion was spent on campaigning both for and against the 159 ballot measures providing an example of both the considerable money in US elections and the influence of interest groups. The most expensive measure was Florida’s measure 3 which would have legalised the use of marijuana for over 21s. $101 million was spent by groups supporting the measure and more than $23 million was spent by those against it. Like the abortion measure, it achieved 56% of the vote but did not become law because it did not meet Florida’s 60% freshold.