{"id":2698104,"date":"2026-11-04T14:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T19:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignheres-the-good-and-bad-of-2026-midterm-ballot-initiatives\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T14:27:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T19:27:48","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignheres-the-good-and-bad-of-2026-midterm-ballot-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignheres-the-good-and-bad-of-2026-midterm-ballot-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Here&#8217;s The Good And Bad Of 2026 Midterm Ballot Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignheres-the-good-and-bad-of-2026-midterm-ballot-initiatives%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2698104&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Here\u2019s a paraphrase of the provided article in english:<\/p>\n<p>Intro<\/p>\n<p>Conservatives largely underperformed in Tuesday\u2019s midterms, suffering heavy losses in many races-including some in states that were expected to remain reliably Republican. Still, there were several notable wins for conservative-backed ballot measures and losses for Democratic initiatives that will shape state policy going forward.Below is a summary of the biggest measures and how they fared.<\/p>\n<p>Abortion<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Idaho voters turned down Proposition 1, which would have removed existing pro-life protections by establishing a broad \u201cright to reproductive freedom and privacy.\u201d Under current Idaho law, abortion is criminalized except in narrow circumstances (rape, incest, or risk to the mother\u2019s life).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Outside Idaho, pro-life efforts saw setbacks. Missouri voters rejected an amendment intended to overturn a 2024 constitutional amendment protecting abortion and to ban certain \u201ctrans\u201d medical procedures for minors. Virginia and Nevada voters approved amendments that enshrine unrestricted abortion in their constitutions. In Virginia, a court challenge alleging deceptive ballot language is scheduled to be heard.<\/p>\n<p>Elections<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Several states-Arkansas, Alaska, Kansas, South dakota, West Virginia-approved measures specifying that only qualified U.S. citizens may vote. Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio added voter ID requirements to their constitutions. Massachusetts voters rejected a \u201ctop-two\u201d primary proposal that would have advanced the top two vote-getters nonetheless of party.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Voter-ID measures failed in Colorado and California. North and South Dakota rejected proposals to raise the constitutional amendment threshold to 60 percent. Missouri passed a Democrat-backed change that makes it harder for the legislature to alter citizen-led initiatives without very large legislative majorities and voter approval. Virginia approved an amendment to automatically restore voting rights to felons upon release, replacing prior gubernatorial discretion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Unresolved: Arizona was considering a measure requiring proof of citizenship to register, voter ID to cast a ballot, and a ban on foreign national election spending; early tallies showed it trailing. Alaska was voting on repealing ranked-choice voting; preliminary results also trended against the repeal.<\/p>\n<p>Redistricting<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Republican redistricting efforts had limited impact on outcomes. Missouri voters rejected a GOP-backed referendum that would have shifted the congressional map to increase Republican seats. Maryland approved a plan favored by Democrats that could make it harder for the state\u2019s lone Republican congressman to keep his seat.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Unresolved: A Colorado GOP-backed redistricting amendment-requiring mid-decade redistricting to clear an self-reliant commission and the state Supreme Court-appeared to be trailing in preliminary returns.<\/p>\n<p>LGBT issues, public health, and women\u2019s sports<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Arizona and Nebraska approved measures aimed at protecting women\u2019s sports by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alitos-what-is-a-woman-question-leaves-leftist-attorney-flailing-2\/\" title=\"Alito&#039;s &#039;What Is A Woman?&#039; Question Leaves Leftist Attorney Flailing\">barring trans-identifying males<\/a> from competing in female athletics; Arizona\u2019s measure also restricts trans individuals\u2019 access to certain single-sex facilities in schools and associations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Vermont added constitutional protections for LGBT people-measures critics argued could create different legal standards for certain groups and affect religious counseling. Virginia removed language defining marriage as between a man and a woman and barred the commonwealth from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Wisconsin rejected a proposed amendment that would have prevented government officials from closing houses of worship during public health emergencies (a response to COVID-era restrictions).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Unresolved: Measures protecting women\u2019s sports and banning certain trans-related medical procedures for minors in Colorado and Washington had unclear outcomes in preliminary counts but were showing leads in some early tallies.<\/p>\n<p>Immigration, guns, and crime<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Arizona passed a measure targeting drug cartels and domestic terrorist groups and directing the state Department of Homeland Security to take extensive action against cartel-related threats. Arkansas voters enshrined the right to keep and bear arms in the state constitution.Indiana and Tennessee approved amendments tightening bail standards for certain serious offenses.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; losses: Massachusetts voters maintained a 2024 package of gun-control laws, including an assault-weapons ban and a firearm registration system.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Unresolved: A Colorado amendment to require cooperation with federal immigration authorities in cases involving suspected noncitizens accused of violent crimes was trailing in early returns.<\/p>\n<p>Taxes and labor<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Florida approved a Republican-backed property tax amendment that increases the homestead exemption substantially (to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028,indexed for inflation thereafter) and sets rules for counties,municipalities,and special districts relating to exemptions.Iowa voters looked poised to approve a constitutional requirement that a two-thirds legislative vote be necessary to raise income or corporate tax rates.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Vermont approved a Democratic-backed collective bargaining amendment that critics said could limit individuals\u2019 ability to bargain on their own behalf.<\/p>\n<p>Education<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Wins: Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting government entities (including public education institutions) from adopting race- or sex-based preferences.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Losses: Arizona voters rejected an amendment that would have banned DEI and affirmative-action policies and state-mandated DEI training for government employees.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Unresolved: A Washington pro-parental rights measure-seeking to restore rights for parents to review materials and opt children out of certain activities-appeared to be trailing in early counts.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion and byline<\/p>\n<p>conservatives suffered broad losses in the midterms, but several state-level ballot measures produced wins for conservative priorities-while other measures backed by Democrats also passed. Some important initiatives remained unresolved in preliminary results.<\/p>\n<p>Author note: Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for the Federalist and a graduate of the University of mary Washington. He co-received the 2025 Dao Prize for excellence in Investigative journalism; his work has appeared in outlets including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>It\u2019s safe to say that conservatives did not get the outcome they hoped for in Tuesday night\u2019s midterm election results. Republican candidates faced catastrophic losses across the electoral map, including in several supposedly \u201cred states.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But amid this carnage, there were a few bright spots. <\/p>\n<p>Voters passed some conservative-backed statewide ballot initiatives and rejected others supported by Democrats. These measures will have a tremendous effect on how these states are governed for years to come.<\/p>\n<p>While not an exhaustive list, here\u2019s a breakdown of how the biggest measures fared on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<h2>Abortion<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a major win for the unborn, Idaho voters <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/11\/04\/in-rare-midterms-bright-spot-idahoans-reject-radical-abortion-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defeated<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.sos.idaho.gov\/elections\/initiatives\/2026\/RFPA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Proposition 1<\/a>, which sought to ax the state\u2019s pro-life protections by creating a vague \u201cright to reproductive freedom and privacy\u201d for \u201cevery person.\u201d Idaho law currently criminalizes abortion except in cases of documented rape, incest, or danger to a mother\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Idaho\u2019s defeat of Proposition 1 was the <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/11\/04\/voters-who-claim-to-reject-unlimited-abortion-are-duped-into-affirming-it-in-3-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">only positive development<\/a> on the pro-life front.<\/p>\n<p>In Missouri, voters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-missouri.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defeated<\/a> a constitutional amendment that sought to repeal a 2024 amendment that enshrined abortion in the state constitution. The 2026 repeal measure, which is projected to lose 55 to 45 percent, also aimed to ban harmful \u201ctrans\u201d procedures from being conducted on minors. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-virginia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-nevada.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nevada<\/a> voters passed amendments codifying unlimited abortion in their state constitutions. Despite the Virginia measure\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/11\/03\/virginia-enshrines-unregulated-abortion-on-demand-in-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passage<\/a>, a legal challenge to the amendment\u2019s \u201cdeceptive\u201d language and procedures for getting on the ballot is set to be <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/10\/27\/virginia-judge-allows-post-election-challenge-to-late-term-abortion-amendment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">heard<\/a> in state court later this month. <\/p>\n<h2>Elections<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Voters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arkansas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arkansas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-alaska.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alaska<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-kansas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kansas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-south-dakota.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Dakota<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-west-virginia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West Virginia<\/a> all passed measures specifying that only qualified U.S. citizens may vote in their elections. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-nevada.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nevada<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-north-carolina.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Carolina<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-ohio.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ohio<\/a> voters similarly approved initiatives codifying voter ID requirements in their state constitutions.<\/p>\n<p>There was even a bright spot in deep-blue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-massachusetts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts<\/a>, where voters rejected an initiative that sought to implement a top two primary system for state elections wherein all candidates run on the same ticket and the top two vote-getters \u2014 regardless of party \u2014 advance to the general election. The proposal was seemingly geared toward boxing Republican candidates out of general election contests for state races.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Other election integrity measures did not fare as well. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-colorado.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-california.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California<\/a> voters rejected pro-voter ID initiatives that appeared on their states\u2019 respective ballots. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-north-dakota.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Dakota<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-south-dakota.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Dakota<\/a> voters both rejected amendments seeking to raise the threshold for amending their state constitutions by requiring that any proposed amendment receive support from at least 60 percent of voters as opposed to a simple majority. The measures were seemingly aimed at stopping Democrats\u2019 and leftist-led groups\u2019 ploy of <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/02\/11\/can-these-republican-bills-thwart-democrats-weaponization-of-ballot-initiatives-before-its-too-late\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">using<\/a> the referendum process to advance left-wing policies in red states.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Missouri voters passed a Democrat-backed amendment prohibiting the state legislature from repealing or amending a citizen-led ballot initiative \u201cunless at least 80% of both the House and Senate vote to refer a proposed change to the ballot, and voters then approve the change,\u201d according to <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Missouri_Amendment_6,_Initiative_and_Referendum_Powers_and_Legislative_Change_Requirements_Amendment_(2026)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ballotpedia<\/a>. The measure is seemingly aimed at boxing the GOP-run legislature out of the initiative process, which Democrat interests used to codify abortion into the state constitution in 2024. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-virginia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia<\/a> voters also passed a Democrat-backed constitutional amendment that automatically restores convicted felons\u2019 ability to vote upon their release. The state\u2019s soon-to-be former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restore.virginia.gov\/restoration-of-rights-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">practice<\/a> gave the governor discretion on whether to restore such rights. Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/spanberger-voting-rights-letters-sent-dead-felons-amid-ballot-access-push\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">restored<\/a> the voting rights of roughly 66,000 previously incarcerated felons, several of whom are deceased.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Unknown <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As of this article\u2019s publication, there are two major election initiatives whose fates remain up in the air.<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arizona.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arizona<\/a>, voters were asked to consider a measure that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, mandate voter ID when casting a ballot, and ban foreign national money in elections. As of publication, the initiative is currently losing 53 to 47 percent, with 83 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-alaska.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alaska<\/a> voters, on the other hand, were asked to weigh an initiative that seeks to repeal the state\u2019s ranked-choice voting system, which causes confusion in elections and has put Alaska in play for Democrats. As of publication, the measure is currently losing 52 to 48 percent, with 73 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<h2>Redistricting<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Republican-led states\u2019 congressional redistricting efforts didn\u2019t seem to have <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/projects\/2026-elections-redistricting-maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">much effect<\/a> on the midterms\u2019 outcome. And on the ballot initiative front, things weren\u2019t much better.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-missouri.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Missouri<\/a> voters overwhelmingly rejected a GOP-backed referendum that would have taken the state from a six Republican-two Democrat congressional map to a seven Republican-one Democrat map. The measure appeared on the ballot following a <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/09\/25\/scotus-issues-final-order-blocking-missouris-gop-backed-map-for-midterms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contentious legal battle<\/a> in state and federal court. <\/p>\n<p>In Maryland, voters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-maryland.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approved<\/a> a Democrat-backed redistricting proposal that effectively clears the way for the state\u2019s Democrat-run legislature to redistrict the state\u2019s lone Republican congressman out of office. <\/p>\n<p><strong>The Unknown<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The fate of a Republican-backed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-colorado.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a> redistricting proposal is currently undetermined as of this article\u2019s publication. The constitutional amendment, which was seen as a way to stave off Democrats\u2019 redistricting efforts, would require that any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/florida-house-speaker-starts-process-for-mid-decade-redistricting\/\" title=\"Florida House speaker starts process for mid-decade ...\">mid-decade redistricting push<\/a> must first be approved by Colorado\u2019s independent redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court before it can take effect. <\/p>\n<p>Preliminary results show the measure losing 53 to 47 percent, with 75 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<h2>LGBT Madness, Public Health, and Women\u2019s Sports<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A major bright spot in this year\u2019s midterm disaster was the success of ballot measures codifying protections for women\u2019s sports. Voters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arizona.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arizona<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-nebraska.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska<\/a> passed initiatives ensuring trans-identifying men cannot infringe on female athletics. The Arizona measure went a step further by banning schools and athletic associations from allowing a trans-identifying individual to use a restroom, locker room, or other \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Arizona_2026_ballot_measures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">private space<\/a>\u201d that differs from his or her sex.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-vermont.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vermont<\/a> voters passed an initiative enshrining special protections for LGBT-identifying individuals in the state constitution. Critics previously <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/10\/07\/heres-every-major-2026-ballot-initiative-you-need-to-know-about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">raised concerns<\/a> that the measure affords \u201cdifferent standards of equality\u201d to so-called \u201cdisfavored groups\u201d and could be used as a vehicle to <a href=\"https:\/\/vermontdailychronicle.com\/proposition-4-could-hinder-biblical-counseling-vermont-counselor-warns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">target<\/a> Christians who hold biblical views of marriage and sex.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-virginia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia<\/a> similarly passed an amendment repealing provisions from the state constitution recognizing that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. The initiative also added language barring the commonwealth from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples.<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-wisconsin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisconsin<\/a>, voters rejected an amendment that sought to bar government officials from shuttering places of worship during a state of emergency \u2014 including during public health emergencies. The measure was geared at preventing a repeat of the abuses during the 2020 Covid outbreak, when state officials <a href=\"https:\/\/spectrumnews1.com\/wi\/milwaukee\/news\/2026\/09\/10\/church-religion-covid-health?fbclid=IwY2xjawUyCCdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXR3MzV5eVRaMWx5SkZkRTZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEepoh4Vwk5azqtu286E0BMQ2PZ7hyjzlQU-g8CTc4eIG4-CThgwCcfwdz569s_aem_YAzxkKycVd0NuC7csvEhzA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">severely restricted<\/a> church attendance while placing seemingly less strict rules on non-religious entities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Unknown <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As of publication, measures protecting women\u2019s sports from trans-identifying men remain undecided. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-colorado.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a>, preliminary results show the initiative winning 52 to 48 percent, with 76 percent of votes tabulated. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-washington.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington<\/a>, unfinalized results show the initiative winning 57 to 43 percent, with 60 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<p>The fate of a Colorado measure that would ban damaging \u201ctrans\u201d-related procedures from being conducted on minors is also undetermined as of publication. Early results show the initiative passing 52 to 48 percent, with 76 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<h2>Immigration, Guns, and Crime<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On immigration, Arizona voters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arizona.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passed<\/a> a measure that designates drug cartels and domestic terrorist organizations and requires the state Department of Homeland Security to do \u201ceverything in its authority to address the threats posed by\u201d drug cartels.<\/p>\n<p>On the Second Amendment front, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arkansas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arkansas<\/a> voters approved a constitutional amendment reaffirming citizens\u2019 right to keep and bear arms. <\/p>\n<p>Voters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-indiana.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indiana<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-tennessee.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tennessee<\/a> passed a pair of pro-law-and-order amendments. <\/p>\n<p>The Indiana measure amends the state constitution to deny bail to individuals charged with crimes in circumstances when \u201cthe proof is evident or the presumption strong\u201d and when the state \u201cproves by clear and convincing evidence\u201d that the individual in question poses a threat to the community. Meanwhile, the Tennessee initiative removes the right to bail for certain criminal offenses \u2014 such as a capital offense \u2014\u201cwhen the proof is evident or the presumption great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately for gun owners in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-massachusetts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts<\/a>, the state\u2019s gun control regime is here to stay. Bay State voters approved a measure upholding several gun control restrictions passed by the Democrat-run legislature in 2024, including an \u201cassault weapons\u201d ban and the creation of a registration system to track firearm ownership in the state.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Unknown<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>The outcome of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-colorado.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a> amendment requiring the state to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on cases involving suspected noncitizens who have committed a violent crime remains undetermined as of publication. Preliminary results show the measure failing 55 to 45 percent, with 76 percent of votes tabulated. <\/p>\n<h2>Taxes and Labor<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-florida.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida<\/a>, voters passed a Republican-backed property tax amendment. According to Ballotpedia, the measure will \u201cincrease[] the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter.\u201d It also includes a mandate that the state legislature \u201cprescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-iowa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Iowa<\/a> voters appear poised to pass a constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote of the Iowa legislature before any increase in the state\u2019s income or corporate tax rate. <\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Vermont voters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-vermont.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approved<\/a> a Democrat-backed collective bargaining initiative. Former Vermont Republican Party Chair Rob Roper previously <a href=\"https:\/\/vermontdailychronicle.com\/roper-another-dumb-constitutional-amendment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">warned<\/a> that the amendment \u201ceffectively strips, in key cases, one\u2019s right to individually bargain on one\u2019s own behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Education<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-wisconsin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisconsin<\/a> voters passed a constitutional amendment that bans the government \u2014 which includes institutions of public education \u2014 from adopting race- and sex-favored preferences and policies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-arizona.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arizona<\/a>. Grand Canyon State voters shot down a constitutional amendment that aimed to prohibit DEI and affirmative action policies in government institutions. This also included a ban on state-enforced <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/dei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DEI training<\/a> for government employees.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Unknown<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The fate of a Washington pro-parental rights initiative is up in the air as of publication. The measure seeks to reenact a previously passed initiative that gives parents the right \u201cto review materials and student records [of their children], receive certain [parental] notifications, and opt students out of certain activities\u201d in school. Preliminary results <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/11\/03\/us\/elections\/results-washington.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">show<\/a> the measure failing 53 to 47 percent, with 59 percent of votes counted. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conservatives fell short overall, but some ballot wins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2698105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Idaho.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[87477,87476,6571,7408,5894],"class_list":["post-2698104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2026-midterm","tag-ballot-initiatives-2","tag-elections","tag-midterms","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Idaho.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2698104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2698104"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2698104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2698119,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2698104\/revisions\/2698119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2698105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2698104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2698104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2698104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}