Voting, marijuana, gun rights: States consider ballot initiatives in midterm elections

Connecticut

Voters were asked to approve or reject the Allow for Early Voting Amendment, which would change the state constitution to permit the General Assembly to provide for in-person early voting. 

Most states have in-person early voting, but Connecticut currently joins Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire among the small handful without it. 

Michigan

Michigan’s Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to add numerous provisions regarding elections:

• Recognize the fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct;

• Require military or overseas ballots to be counted if postmarked by Election Day;

• Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement;

• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections;

• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes and postage for absentee applications and ballots;

• Provide that only election officials can conduct post-election audits;

• Require nine days of in-person early voting;

• Allow donations to fund elections;

• Require canvass boards certify election result based only on the official record

Nevada

Question 3 is a proposal to amend the Nevada Constitution to allow for open primaries and ranked-choice voting. If passed, the measure would return to the general election ballot for 2024 and then, if approved again, would amend the state constitution to change the elections rules.

The state legislature also has until July 1, 2025, to adopt implementing legislation, and the changes would take effect for the 2026 election cycle. 

Arizona

The state’s Proposition 309 would tighten voting rules to require voters to write their birth date, state-issued identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number, as well as a signature, on an early ballot affidavit. It also requires certain photo ID to vote in-person, doing away with the ability to vote in-person without photo ID when a voter shows two other identifying documents.

Nebraska

Called Initiative Measure 432, the measure before Nebraska voters asks whether they want to amend the state constitution to require a valid photo ID in order to vote.

Ohio

Issue 2 is a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit local governments from allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections if they aren’t qualified to vote in state elections.

Alabama

If the state’s Amendment 4 is OK’ed by voters, the state constitution would be amended to require any bill approved by the state legislature that changes general election rules to be implemented at least six months before the election.