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'If You Can Keep It': America's Many Ballot Measures

A man votes in the 2022 midterm election on Election Day in Lansing, Michigan.
Bill Pugliano
/
Getty Images
A man votes in the 2022 midterm election on Election Day in Lansing, Michigan.

This November, voters in 41 states will consider 159 ballot measures. That's no more than usual. From 2010 to 2022, the average number in election years was 161.

What is unusual is the number of abortion-related measures: 11, the most on record for a single year.

Other consequential issues are up for consideration, too. Voters in multiple states will decide on non-citizen voting bans, electoral processes, and the minimum wage.

We get an overview of ballot measures nationwide and the strategies opponents and supporters are using to sway the outcomes their way.

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.

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