everal states, ballot proposals are in the lead that will impact how votes are cast in the next presidential race. Ballot proposals to expand early vote were leading Tuesday in Connecticut, and Michigan as voters in many states decided measures that could impact the way votes are cast in next year’s presidential election. These voting-related measures were one of more than 130 state proposals that appeared on the ballots. They addressed contentious issues like abortion, taxes, drug policies, and labor laws. While Connecticut and Michigan were seeking to expand voting access, Arizona and Nebraska proposed tighter voter identification requirements. Other ballot measures could affect direct democracy opportunities by raising the bar for future ballot initiatives. Arkansas’s majority voted against a constitutional amendment that would have required a 60% threshold (rather than a simple majority) to pass future ballot initiatives. Connecticut was one of four states that did not offer an in-person early vote option for all voters. The state’s 2014 advance voting proposal was rejected, but the version this year did better. The Democratic-led General Assembly would be authorized to create an early voting law by the proposed constitutional amendment. Voting rights advocates supported a broad-ranging initiative that was popularly supported by Michigan voters. It would allow for early voting, expand the availability of absentee ballots, require state-funded return mailage and drop boxes, and stipulate that the Board of State Canvassers only has a “clerical, nondiscretionary” obligation to certify election results. The proposal could also prevent Republican attempts to tighten photo ID laws by amending the state constitution so that it includes the current alternative of signing an affirmative. HTML2_ MIDTERM ELUTIONS 2022: LIVE UPDATE Voters in Arizona and Nebraska voted for proposals to tighten voter identification requirements. Tuesday’s results showed that Nebraska’s measure, which would require voters to have a photo ID in order to cast a vote, was the most popular. Arizona received votes later than expected. This measure would strengthen an existing photo ID law to allow in-person voting and eliminate the option of two documents bearing a person’s name or address. The vast majority of Arizonans who vote by mail would need to list their date and birth, along with their driver’s license number or state identification number. Alabama voters backed a proposed constitutional amendment that required future changes to election law to take effect at the least six months prior to a general election. Nevada’s Constitution could be amended to allow for an open primary election to elect the five highest vote-getters. Ranked choice voting would then be used to determine who the winner of the general elections. If no candidate receives a majority in the first count, votes for the bottom candidates would be re-assigned to voters’ next preferences until a candidate has a majority. Similar systems are already in place for some elections in Maine , and Alaska. The Nevada measure would need to be approved if it is to become effective. 2022 EARLY VOTING INTERMS 2018 MIDTERMS BY ROUGHLY 1. MILLION VOTES On other ballot issues, voters from Illinois and Tennessee were moving in opposing directions regarding labor policies. While Illinoisans were in favor of a proposed constitutional right for collective bargaining, Tennesseeans supported a constitutional amendment that would prohibit workplace contracts from requiring union fee. There were also different approaches to gun policies in the states. While Iowa voters were deciding whether or not to include the right to bear arms within the state constitution, Oregon voters were looking at whether to restrict gun rights by banning magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds and mandating safety training and a permit for firearm purchases. Voters in five states — Alabama (Lawyers), Oregon (Tennessee ) and Vermont – were looking at constitutional amendments to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude. They wanted to end the possibility of it being used as a criminal penalty. California was, as is so often the case with the United States, the site of the most expensive ballot battle. Two competing initiatives to legalize sport betting were supported by wealthy Native American tribes, while the other was backed by online gambling companies and less-affluent tribal members. NEW YORK VOTERS IN ONE COUNTY RUSH to POLLS TO GET VIRAL DYSTOPIAN RAINBOW SPIRDER’ VOTING STICKER In some states, health care was also on the ballot. Oregon’s measure would establish a constitutional right to affordable healthcare and require the state to provide access. A measure in South Dakota would expand Medicaid coverage for adults under the federal health care law passed more than a decade ago by former President Barack Obama.