Senate races generate the headlines, but in 2026 some of the most consequential decisions voters make in November will appear below the candidate races. Ballot initiatives, referenda, and constitutional amendments bypass legislatures and put policy questions directly to voters — and several this cycle address issues that have proven impossible to resolve through the normal legislative process.
Abortion Access
Following the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, abortion access measures have appeared on state ballots in every subsequent cycle and have generally outperformed Democrats in the same election. In 2026, measures establishing or protecting abortion access are on the ballot in at least four states, including two where legislatures have enacted significant restrictions. Polling shows the measures leading, often by larger margins than Democratic candidates in the same states — reflecting the consistent pattern of abortion access outperforming its partisan context.
Minimum Wage
Measures to increase the state minimum wage are on the ballot in three states in 2026, including one reliably Republican state where the legislature has blocked increases repeatedly. The polling lead is substantial. The pattern reflects a consistent finding: on economic issues where the benefit to ordinary workers is tangible and costs fall primarily on employers, support cuts across party lines in ways that don't translate into votes for the party that advocates for the policy in candidate races.
Voting Rights and Electoral Reform
Several states have measures addressing voting procedures — some expanding access, some restricting it. Two are particularly notable: a ranked-choice voting initiative in a large Midwestern state, and an independent redistricting commission measure in a state where the legislature currently controls the map-drawing process. Both face well-funded opposition from incumbent politicians whose interests are directly at stake.
"The initiative process reveals a consistent gap between what legislative majorities enact and what electoral majorities actually want. Legislatures systematically underrepresent majority opinion when organized minorities have strong financial interests in the status quo."