State Ballot Measure Monthly: November 2025
From Ballotpedia
By Ballot Measures Project staff
Welcome to the State Ballot Measure Monthly—covering the latest ballot measure certifications and news from October 8 to November 11.
In this edition, you will find the latest election results and ballot measure updates for 2025 and 2026, historical comparisons of recent ballot measure data, and the top headlines from the month.
HIGHLIGHTS
Election results
Voters in six states decided on 24 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 4. All but one ballot initiative, in Maine, were approved. This year's ballot measures addressed issues such as redistricting, voter photo identification, citizenship voting, parental rights, taxes, and firearm regulation.
In October, we compiled a list of the top statewide ballot measures to watch on Nov. 4. Here's how voters decided on those measures:
- California Proposition 50: Voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a new congressional district map that, based on recent presidential election results, would make five currently Republican-held districts more favorable to Democrats. The map would be used for congressional elections through 2030. Proposition 50 provides that the Citizens Redistricting Commission redraw congressional districts in 2031. The margin was 64% to 36%.
- Maine Question 1: Voters defeated a ballot initiative that would have required voters to present a photo ID for in-person voting and proof of photo ID for absentee voting, among other election policy changes. The margin was 36% in favor to 64% opposed. Between 2004 and 2025, voters in seven states adopted photo ID voter requirements, most recently in Wisconsin. Similar measures are on the ballot in Nevada and North Carolina in 2026.
- Maine Question 2: Voters approved an initiative to permit citizens to request an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), sometimes referred to as a red flag law, against another individual. Maine joins 21 other states that have enacted laws authorizing courts to issue extreme risk protection orders. Six states have enacted laws that prevent or restrict the adoption of extreme risk protection orders. The margin was 63% to 37%.
- Colorado Propositions LL and MM: Voters approved two legislatively referred state statutes, allowing the state to retain excess revenue and further reduce income tax deductions for taxpayers with a federal adjusted gross income above $300,000. Together, the measures increase funding for the Healthy School Meals for All Program. The vote margin for Proposition LL was 66% to 34%, and the margin for Proposition MM was 59% to 41%.
- Texas Proposition 3: Texans approved an amendment to require judges or magistrates to deny bail to individuals accused of certain violent or sexual offenses that are punishable as a felony if it is demonstrated after a hearing through a preponderance of the evidence that the accused will likely not willfuly appear in court or by clear and convincing evidence that the accused is a danger to the community or victim. The vote margin was 61% to 39%.
- Texas Proposition 15: Voters approved an amendment adding language to the state constitution to provide that parents have the right "to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing" and the responsibility "to nurture and protect the parent's child." Texas is one of 26 states that has a Parents’ Bill of Rights in state law. The law provides that parents have the right to access their child's student records, copies of state assessments, and teaching materials, among other provisions. The vote margin was 70% to 30%.
- Texas Proposition 16: Voters approved an amendment to provide in the state constitution that only U.S. citizens may vote in Texas. Texas joins 14 other states that have adopted similar amendments since 2018. The vote margin was 72% to 28%. Three states—Arkansas, Kansas, and South Dakota—will decide on similar amendments in 2026.
- Texas Propositions 2, 6, and 8: Voters approved three Texas constitutional amendments—Propositions 2, 6, and 8—banning taxes on capital gains, securities transactions, and estates or gifts. While Texas does not currently levy these taxes, the amendments add new prohibitions to the state constitution, which can only be changed with a two-thirds legislative vote and voter approval. Proposition 2 was approved with 65% of the vote; Proposition 6 was approved with 55%; and Proposition 8 was approved with 72%.
Campaign finance
- See also: Ballot measure campaign finance, 2025
Ballotpedia identified $176.96 million in contributions to support or oppose statewide measures on ballots in 2025.
As of November 3, 2025, campaigns surrounding the following five ballot measures had received the most contributions:
| Measure | Total | Support | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025) | $167,335,589 | $122,818,019 | $44,517,570 |
| Maine Question 1, Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Drop Box Rules Initiative (2025) | $2,609,205 | $649,726 | $1,959,479 |
| Washington SJR 8201, Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund in Stocks and Other Equities Amendment (2025) | $2,451,390 | $2,451,390 | $0 |
| Maine Question 2, Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access Initiative (2025) | $1,145,010 | $1,041,091 | $103,919 |
| Ohio Issue 2, Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment (May 2025) | $838,500 | $838,500 | $0 |
The following graph shows the total contributions to state ballot measure committees in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
To view ballot measure campaign finance totals for prior years, click here.
2026 certifications
- See also: Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2026
The tabs below display the measures certified and pending for elections in 2026.
Certifications
Potential measures
For elections in 2026, 56 statewide ballot measures were certified for the ballot in 28 states. No new measures were certified for the 2026 ballot between October 8 and November 11. To see the full list of certified ballot measures for 2026 by state, click here.
Historical comparisons
Certifications by month for even-numbered year elections
The following heatmap shows the number of statewide ballot measures certified each month from 2012 through 2026, grouped by two-year election cycles leading up to even-numbered general elections. It highlights both the volume and timing of certifications, helping illustrate the overall rhythm of the ballot measure cycle. The bottom row displays the monthly averages across all years.
Ballot measures certified by year and month across two-year election cycles. Average is listed as the bottom row.
Headlines
- Annual readability report2025 statewide ballot measures written at the highest reading level, equivalent to a doctorate degree, since Ballotpedia started tracking in 2017The ballot language for the 30 statewide ballot measures in nine states in 2025 is written at an average reading level of 21, equivalent to a doctorate degree, and the highest level since 2017, when Ballotpedia started tracking the data. This is an increase from 2024, which had an average of 16 years of education (bachelor’s degree) and 19 years of education (graduate school level) in 2023. Ballotpedia's readability report offers insights into the educational level voters might need to comprehend statewide ballot measure titles and summaries.
- Potential 2026 measuresVirginia General Assembly considers constitutional amendment for mid-decade congressional redistricting—a special ballot measure election would be first since 1956The Virginia General Assembly is considering a constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to conduct mid-decade congressional redistricting through 2030. For voters to weigh in on the amendment before the next U.S. House primary elections, a special election would be required. The last time Virginia held a special election for a state ballot measure, one not consolidated with a general election, was in January 1956.
See also
- 2025 ballot measures
- Ballot initiatives filed for the 2025 ballot
- Ballot Measure Scorecard, 2025
- Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2025
Related articles
Footnotes
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