Ballot measures on abortion, marijuana and transgender youth care highlight political divides in 2026 midterms

Voters in the 2026 midterm elections faced a slate of state health policy ballot measures that addressed abortion rights, marijuana legalization, science funding bonds and care for transgender youth.

Four states chose to keep their existing abortion statutes, while the broader set of measures on abortion, marijuana and science funding generally mirrored a more liberal national mood. At the same time, several states moved to tighten restrictions on transgender youth.

In Arizona, Colorado and Washington, voters approved or were set to approve bans on transgender youth participation in school athletics that align with their gender identity. Colorado also advanced a proposal to prohibit gender affirming surgery for minors. Critics described these initiatives as "ballot candy" for Republicans, but the voting outcomes did not align neatly with the party affiliation of winning candidates.