2024 Ballot Measure Guide: Battles Over Election Laws, Tax Hikes, Billions of Dollars Head to the Ballot

Americans for Tax Reform’s State Ballot Measure Guide Highlights Threats & Opportunities for Taxpayers on Election Day

Today, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) released the organization’s 2024 State Ballot Measure Guide, which analyzes 65 state-level ballot measures, initiatives, and amendments across 27 states that will impact Americans’ pocketbooks and freedoms. 

American taxpayers will see more than one hundred ballot questions this fall which will determine whether they face higher taxes, how much government spends, if workers are free from government meddling, whether elections are secure, and more. 

“Left-wing interests continue to use the ballot to try and change election rules to favor their friends, raise taxes, and spend more of Americans’ hard-earned dollars,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. “Taxpayers must be vigilant and educated on ballot questions so they can answer in a way that protects their wallets and freedoms. That’s why we produce a thorough state-by-state analysis of these measures.” 

On taxes, the most significant measure relating to personal income taxes is in Utah. The state’s question to end the requirement that all income tax revenues go to education would open the door for significant income tax reductions as the state legislature could manage a budget as other states do. 

Illinois voters will be asked if they support a “millionaire’s tax,” to give the Democrat-controlled legislature cover for their latest attempt to undermine the state’s flat tax. 

Taxpayers can reduce their property tax burdens with measures that create a “homestead” property tax exemption or similar policy – which reduces the tax rates on a primary residence. Wyoming and Georgia voters can approve measures to open the door on these discounts, and Florida voters can further expand their existing exemption by tying it to inflation with Amendment 5. 

One of the most wide-reaching tax proposals is on the North Dakota ballot. The measure would ban property taxes but require all lost revenue to be replaced by the state, meaning on net there would be no tax reduction and local governments would lose accountability to their current voters. 

On labor, job-killing, arbitrary minimum wage increases in Alaska and California are on the ballot, as is Massachusetts Question 5 which would undo the state’s tipped wage credit – raising costs for employers of service workers and potentially lowering their earnings. Massachusetts also has Question 3, which would practically force ride-sharing companies to unionize under the thumb of the state. Get ready for long waits and high prices when you use a ride-hail app in Boston if the measure is approved. 

On elections, the tug-of-war between left-wing interests advancing no excuse absentee voting, ranked-choice voting, and “jungle primaries,” and the center-right reaction seeking to limit these provisions has led to a plethora of ballot questions this year.

This includes measures that will protect elections and election integrity like Arizona’s Prop 133 which preempts primaries that pool all candidates in one field regardless of party affiliation. Florida Amendment 6 repeals public financing for candidates who agree to limit campaign spending. Missouri Amendment 7 would prohibit ranked-choice voting. Alaskans can undo their failing ranked-choice voting and “jungle primary” experiment by approving Measure 2. 

On the flip side, Nevada Question 3 is the final step for ranked-choice voting before the state is saddled with the opaque, confusing election system. Idaho Proposition 1 would install ranked-choice voting and “jungle primaries.” 

ATR’s 2024 State Ballot Measure Guide covers all of these measures and more.