--- title: 10 Midterm Ballot Measures That Could Affect Your Wallet, From Soda Taxes to Free School Meals description: On Nov. 3, millions of voters will weigh in on ballot measures regarding income, property taxes, sports betting, billionaires and more. authors: - name: Pete Grieve role: Lead News Reporter url: https://money.com/author/pete-grieve/ bio: Pete Grieve is a personal finance reporter. In his time at Money, Pete has covered everything from car buying to credit cards to the housing market. education: University of Chicago, BA Political Science at_money_since: 2022 articles: 603 covers: - Economy and Politics - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes social: - https://twitter.com/pete_grieve - https://linkedin.com/in/pete-grieve-b5aa02138 - https://www.facebook.com/petegrieve4 editors: - name: Julia Glum role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/julia-glum/ bio: Julia Glum joined Money in 2018 and specializes in covering financial trends that affect everyday Americans' wallets. She also writes Dollar Scholar, a weekly newsletter that teaches young adults how to navigate the messy world of money. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2018 articles: 453 covers: - Economy and Politics - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - Newsweek - International Business Times - CBS News - Good Morning America - WUSA9 - Pix 11 - The New York Times - Mashable - The Washington Post - CNBC - Politico social: - https://x.com/superjulia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-glum published: '2026-09-28T12:19:58.000Z' section: Economy and Politics tags: - News word_count: 1646 canonical: https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/ type: NewsArticle source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Hand voting ballot](https://img.money.com/2026/09/News-money-ballot-midterm.jpg) The upcoming midterm elections are voters' opportunity to weigh in on the Republican-led Congress's execution of President Donald Trump's second-term agenda. They're also, in many ways, a referendum on the Trump 2.0 economy. Trump returned to the White House promising to "make America affordable again," winning an election in which inflation was a top issue for voters. Republicans are now campaigning on the massive [tax cut package](https://money.com/trump-tax-cuts-big-beautiful-bill/) they passed last year and major stock market gains achieved since January 2025, while Democrats are attacking the Trump economy's $4 gas prices, 7% mortgage rates and inflation that just led the Federal Reserve to [hike interest rates](https://money.com/fed-rate-hike-effects-september-2026/) for the first time in years. On Nov. 3, millions of voters will also have a direct say on hundreds of ballot measures regarding income, property and sales taxes — plus a few other, more unexpected money debates. One city may double its soda tax, for example; another could send $1,000 to newborns. Here are 10 money-related ballot measures to watch in the midterms. ## California votes on a billionaire tax Proposition 40 in California would create a one-time 5% billionaire tax that would be charged on the net worth of all billionaires who were residing in the state as of Jan. 1. If Prop 40 passes, organizers say California would collect as much as [$100 billion](https://fortune.com/2026/09/19/california-billionaire-wealth-tax-prop-40-movement-more-states-federal-government-other-countries/) in revenue from billionaires, with most of the money going to healthcare programs for low and moderate-income Californians. It**'**s sure to be one of the most closely watched votes in the country on election night, with polls indicating the [divisive measure](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/21/california-billionaire-tax-loses-ground-new-poll-01086260) could go either way. Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes Prop 40, arguing it will drive billionaires out of the state, while progressives like Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., support the measure. Propositions 41 and 42 are competing measures backed by a group of billionaires that could nullify Prop 40 if one receives more votes. Separately, an advisory referendum will ask voters in Cook County, Illinois, for their opinion on a proposed constitutional amendment to levy a 3% "millionaire tax" on the incomes of the state's highest-earning residents. Supporters say the tax would generate billions of dollars in new annual revenue and would only be paid by those with incomes over $1 million per year. In Washington, voters will have the chance to [repeal a millionaire tax](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21204) the governor signed in March. ## Colorado could replace its income tax Colorado voters could scrap the state's flat 4.4% income tax and substitute it with a graduated income tax system. Amendment 87 would raise income taxes for people and corporations earning over $500,000. Income over $1 million would be taxed at a new maximum rate of 8.4%. The tax hike on higher earners would help pay for a [tax cut](https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/03/colorado-initiative-195-graduated-income-tax-calculator/) for most Coloradans, whose first $25,000 of federal taxable income would be taxed by the state at 3.7%. Income from $25,001 up to $100,000 would be taxed at 4.2%, and a 4.4% rate would apply to taxable income between $100,001 and $500,000. Whether the proposal actually gets in front of voters in November is up in the air. A [last-minute lawsuit](https://tsscolorado.com/lawsuit-seeks-to-keep-graduated-income-tax-system-proposal-off-november-ballot/) seeks to remove the measure from the ballot. Also in the fray is a competing ballot measure, Proposition 136, which would cap income taxes at the current flat rate of 4.4%. Beyond Colorado, ballot measures adjusting state income tax rules are up for consideration in [California](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21196), [Iowa](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21150) and [North Carolina](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21171). The proposed California amendment would permanently extend higher income tax rates for high earners; the proposed Iowa amendment would make it more difficult for state legislators to raise income taxes; and the proposed North Carolina amendment would halve the highest allowable tax rate from 7% to 3.5%. ## St. Paul, Minnesota, votes on the right to repair Every renter knows how frustrating it can be to try to persuade a landlord to make repairs. Housing advocates in St. Paul, Minnesota, want to empower tenants to take matters into their own hands. A [ballot measure](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/08/11/st-paul-right-to-repair-ballot-measure-minnesota-supreme-court) would let renters deduct up to $500 (or half of a month's rent) from their rent to pay for home repairs, provided they notify their landlord and give them 14 days to address the issue first. The ballot question describes the idea as a "tenant's right to repair." It's one of several renter-protection ballot measures in the 2027 midterms nationally. In Akron, Ohio, voters will decide on a proposed amendment requiring landlords to offer three- and six-month installment plans for tenants to pay their security deposits, according to [Cleveland.com](https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2026/09/akron-voters-to-decide-on-housing-protections-police-accountability-charter-amendments-in-november-election.html). And in California, voters in [Redwood City](https://abc7news.com/post/2026-election-redwood-city-voters-decide-new-rent-control-laws-measure/19824783/) and [San Pablo](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/08/29/rent-control-fight-heads-to-voters-in-two-bay-area-cities/) will decide on citizen-sponsored rent control measures, while Salinas residents will vote on [repealing](https://caanet.org/voters-to-decide-on-rent-control-in-three-california-cities/) existing rent control ordinances. ## Alabama counties consider property tax relief for older taxpayers Lawmakers have been [scrambling to cut property taxes](https://money.com/property-tax-cuts-state-level-2026/) as housing inflation has pushed up assessments, squeezing homeowners' wallets. Millions of voters now get a chance to express their opinions on hundreds of property tax relief proposals. In Alabama, voters in 18 counties are considering measures that would authorize taxpayers ages 65 and over to claim an additional "senior property tax exemption," according to a list of local proposed amendments published by the [Alabama secretary of state's office](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election-2026/2026GeneralElectionStateCertificationofConstitutionalAmendments.pdf). The relief would freeze assessed property values, helping shield homeowners on fixed incomes from increases to their property tax bills. The counties considering these amendments are: Blount, Chilton, Clarke, Colbert, Covington, Cullman, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Lamar, Lawrence, Limestone, Mobile, Monroe, Morgan, Perry, Walker and Wilcox. At the state level, voters in [Florida](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21177) and [Wyoming](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=254) will consider significantly expanding homestead exemptions, which reduce property tax bills. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis supports Amendment 3, the Florida property tax measure, but he has said he [doesn't expect](https://floridapolitics.com/archives/820737-desantis-amendment-3/) it to get the votes to pass. No polling is available on Wyoming Initiative 1. ## Berkeley, California, weighs doubling its soda tax The city that approved the [nation's first soda tax in 2014](https://money.com/raising-taxes-alcohol-gas-soda-online-shopping/) could soon [double that tax](https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/berkeley-voters-to-decide-on-doubling-citys-soda-tax/) from 1 cent per fluid ounce to 2 cents. While a 2-cent tax on sugar-sweetened drinks may not sound like a lot, it would add up to a 24-cent tax paid by distributors on a standard-size soda (or a nearly $3 tax on a 12-pack). The city's soda tax funds cooking, gardening and health education programs in schools. Advocates say the tax reduces soda consumption — part of Berkeley's strategy to prevent diabetes and obesity. The tax could collect $2.2 million per year if doubled, according to [KRON4](https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/berkeley-voters-to-decide-on-doubling-citys-soda-tax/). ## Arizona votes on capping local food taxes Arizona [Proposition 316](https://azmirror.com/2026/09/21/prop-316-would-cap-arizona-grocery-taxes-rural-cities-say-it-will-cost-them-and-their-residents/) would prevent local governments from taxing groceries at a rate above 2%, and it would require voter approval for any increases. Towns and cities with existing grocery taxes above 2% could keep them in place, but the proposition would block them from raising those taxes any higher, even with voters' signoff. ## North Dakota considers free breakfast and lunch in schools A ballot measure would amend the North Dakota Constitution to require free breakfast and lunch for all public school students. The measure would eliminate the current eligibility rules for free meals, which are based on a household's means. The state would fund the additional free meals, supplementing existing federal funding. Together for School Meals, a citizen-led anti-hunger initiative, pushed to get Constitutional Measure 2 on the ballot in North Dakota. Only eight states require universal free school meals, according to [MultiState Elections](https://www.multistate.us/elections/ballot-measure?id=21163). North Dakota "would be the ninth and the first deep-red state to do so via direct democracy," the elections site wrote. ## Baltimore votes on a baby fund At the federal level, the administration has created a type of baby fund with its [Trump Accounts](https://money.com/trump-accounts-pre-tax-payroll-contributions/), funded with $1,000 for newborns between 2025 and 2028. A ballot question in Baltimore would establish a local baby fund and require the city to contribute 3 cents to it for every $100 of "assessed or assessable value of all property in the City of Baltimore (excluding exempted properties)." The amendment simply states that the money would be used to "enhance the economic stability of families with newborns." That language was used to avoid legal challenges, but the backers who collected signatures have a much more specific idea in mind: $1,000 payments to the parents of Baltimore newborns — roughly 7,100 per year — at an annual cost of about $15 million. Mayor Brandon Scott [supports](https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-baby-fund-signatures-november-ballot/73444018) the measure. ## Nebraska could legalize online sports betting Nebraska could become the 33rd state to [legalize online sports betting](https://deadspin.com/legal-betting/nebraska-sports-betting-vote-moves-from-petition-drive-to-november-ballot/), as voters will weigh in on a ballot measure that would drop the state's longstanding ban. Amid the rise of [prediction markets](https://money.com/prediction-markets-101-read-this-guide-before-you-start-placing-bets/) that let users "trade" on sporting events, states are finding it harder to sustain bans on traditional sports betting. Prediction markets are now available almost nationwide under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's oversight, and sports betting giants like DraftKings and FanDuel are already operating as prediction markets in Nebraska and other states where traditional sports betting is banned. ## Inglewood, California, could increase ticket taxes at SoFi Stadium Local voters could make it more expensive for fans to attend Chargers or Rams games — or any concert or event at SoFi Stadium, for that matter — as a ticket tax measure made the ballot in Inglewood, California. After staging eight World Cup matches this summer, SoFi is set to host Super Bowl LXI in February: its second Super Bowl since it opened in 2020 as the most expensive stadium ever built. Inglewood currently collects a 10% admissions tax paid by fans, but the city stops charging the tax once revenue hits a cap, which was set at $15 million in 2015 and indexed to inflation. The ballot measure would lift the cap, allowing the city to collect tens of millions of dollars more in admissions tax revenue. It would also add a 2.5% admissions tax at the nearby Intuit Dome, the home arena of the Clippers. ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Economy and Politics", "item": "https://money.com/economy-and-politics/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elections", "item": "https://money.com/elections/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "10 Midterm Ballot Measures That Could Affect Your Wallet, From Soda Taxes to Free School Meals" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/", "name": "10 Midterm Ballot Measures That Could Affect Your Wallet, From Soda Taxes to Free School Meals", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2026-09-28T12:19:58.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/money-ballot-measures-midterm-elections-2026/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "NewsArticle", "headline": "10 Midterm Ballot Measures That Could Affect Your Wallet, From Soda Taxes to Free School Meals", "articleSection": "Economy and Politics", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2026/09/News-money-ballot-midterm.jpg", "width": 2880, "height": 1920, "caption": "News-money-ballot-midterm" } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pete Grieve", "url": "https://money.com/author/pete-grieve/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/pete-grieve/#author", "description": "Pete Grieve is a personal finance reporter. 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