You and Your Ballot

Midterm elections are just around the corner, and sometimes it can be tricky to get a full picture of what will be on our ballots. One thing you may see on your ballot on November 8th is a ballot initiative, which addresses a specific issue proposed by citizens. Like all other issues on your ballot - ballot initiatives impact young voters like you directly.

In order to avoid showing up to the voting booth with more questions than answers, getting familiar with ballot initiatives is the key to voting confidently. With so many important issues at stake, it’s not the time to wing it.

From defining what ballot initiatives are, to providing some actionable steps, you’re going to want to sit down and stick around for this one. Let’s get into it:

But first, what are ballot initiatives?

In short, ballot initiatives are issues brought to the ballot by voters, or sometimes by your state legislature. These are also called ballot measures. These initiatives make it onto ballots when citizens (like you!) propose to amend, create, or repeal a state law or constitutional provision. Citizens must collect a certain number of signatures from registered voters in order to get their ballot measure on the ballot.

Ballot initiatives change from election to election and vary depending on the state. That means if you’re voting in California, your friends in Ohio might have a totally different set of issues on their ballot - or none at all. In case you’re wondering, there are 140 ballot measures in 38 states for the 2022 midterm election.

Why Midterm Elections Matter

Midterm elections are about much more than choosing which politician you’d like to see in office. This midterm election cycle brings crucial issues to the table, such as gun safety, affordable education, reproductive rights, and, even, voting laws that could greatly impact the presidential election in 2024. In case you’re wondering, there are 140 ballot measures in 38 states for the 2022 midterm election.

Electing politicians into office that can influence the issues that matter to us is just the beginning of how we can use our voting power during elections. Midterms give us the opportunity to vote on specific issues raised by fellow citizens in our home states.

Being able to vote on ballot initiatives during midterm elections means that you can be part of enacting direct change in your city and state. Take Kansas, for example. A ballot initiative proposed by citizens in this state allowed voters to reject an anti-abortion measure.

So, how can you find out which ballot initiatives to expect on your ballot this election cycle?

This Election’s Major Ballot Initiatives

Ballot initiatives for state and local issues will vary depending on where you’re registered to vote, but here are a few key issues to look out for so that you are in the know when you vote. These are just a few examples of issues that young voters are most concerned about this election:

• Climate justice: In the last two years, there has been a lot of progress with on federal legislation to address climate change. During this midterm election, ballot initiatives will decide how state and local governments will allocate funds and resources toward these changes. Find out more here.
• Economic justice: From raising the minimum wage in Nebraska to phasing out a separate tipped minimum wage in Washington D.C., there are ballot measures related to wages, taxes and unionization in 13 states.
• Education: From district funding to curriculum reform, there are various issues related to education on the ballot nationwide. Find out more about school-related ballot initiatives here.
• Gun safety: This midterm election, Iowa and Oregon have ballot initiatives related to gun safety. Other senate and gubernatorial races in Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas will also be crucial to enacting change.
• Outlawing slavery: Slavery? Yes, slavery. Current criminal justice reformers hope to outlaw the use of prison labor, and voters in Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont will be able to vote on the issue this election.
• Reproductive health: In light of the overturn of Roe v. Wade this past June, California, Michigan, Vermont, Kentucky, Kansas, and Montana have issues of reproductive health on the ballot this midterm election.
• Voting laws: Including voter ID laws and potential barriers to folks registering to vote, states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska, Ohio, and Connecticut have initiatives related to voting laws that could greatly impact the next presidential election and beyond.

Don’t see your state mentioned here? No problem. To find out what you can expect on your ballot this midterm election, you can use this sample ballot tool from BallotPedia. Here you’ll be able to see where key issues will appear, giving you some time to do your research and decide how you want to make your voice heard.

Your Ballot and Your Voice

After historic turnouts of youth voters in 2018 and 2020, we’re seeing in real-time how impactful the youth voice is. Many large political candidate campaigns fail to meaningfully engage youth voters, missing out on what young people have to say about key issues facing our nation.

These campaigns are missing out on a demographic that is coming to realize its full potential. Today’s youth have inherited an onslaught of challenges and issues that they never asked for, but are advocating to change nonetheless.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about what’s on the ballot this midterm election, I see you. We may not have ever imagined that we would still need to advocate for basic human rights and freedoms, but what we’re seeing is just that. Outlawing slavery? Didn’t we learn in history class that the United States did that centuries ago? It’s 2022 and our reality is that these issues still matter and still require our voice.

There are plenty of examples of how ballot initiatives on specific issues have played a key role in overturning existing laws, advocating for new ones, or making critical reforms. Let your voice be heard and be a part of these citizen-led changes by voting on these issues in this midterm election.

Next Steps for Voters

If you haven’t registered to vote yet, there’s still time in states that have late voter registration: Utah, Colorado, Vermont, Connecticut, and Nevada. Some states even have same-day registration.

Once you’re registered to vote, make a voting plan so you have all the details on when, where, and how to vote before Election Day. Grab a buddy, too, so you can hold each other accountable for getting to the polls.

Speaking of grabbing a buddy, take your civic engagement one step further by helping your peers and community get registered to vote. Now that you have these resources on which ballot initiatives to look out for, you can even let others know about the key issues at stake this election. By participating you’ll be entered to earn a $1,000 scholarship.

Spreading knowledge is spreading power, my friends. Don’t leave your peers hanging on these important initiatives. Let them know that their voice matters!