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While national attention focuses on the midterm horse race, voters in six states are deciding on seven campaign finance ballot measures this year — tying 2018 for the most such measures since 2000 .
The measures span the ideological spectrum, from public financing to foreign spending bans. Here’s what’s on the ballot:
California Proposition 4 would repeal the state’s 1988 ban on public financing of campaigns, allowing state and local governments to create programs that provide candidates with public funds under spending limits. The Legislature placed it on the ballot with unanimous Democratic support and no support from voting Republicans .
Michigan Proposal 2 would prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, government contractors with more than $250,000 in annual contracts, and organizations with substantial connections to those utilities from making campaign contributions to state candidates and ballot measure committees. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist support it; the Michigan Chamber of Commerce opposes it .
Arizona Proposition 144 would prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions to influence Arizona elections and require voters to provide government-issued identification. The Legislature placed it on the ballot with unanimous Republican support and no support from voting Democrats .
Montana I-194 would prohibit corporations, nonprofits, trusts, and other artificial entities from contributing to campaigns or political parties. Former Sen. Jon Tester (D) and former Govs. Steve Bullock (D) and Marc Racicot (R) support it; the Montana Chamber of Commerce opposes it .
Alaska Ballot Measure 1, approved by voters in August, caps individual contributions at $2,000 per election cycle to candidates, $4,000 to a joint governor/lt. governor ticket, and $5,000 to a political party .
Missouri Amendment 4, defeated by voters 80.3% to 19.7% in August, would have prohibited foreign nationals from spending on ballot measures and required voter approval of constitutional amendments in each congressional district rather than statewide .
Beyond campaign finance, voters in five states are deciding on ballot measures regarding sex-based sports eligibility and medical procedures for transgender minors. Colorado Proposition 134 would require student athletes to participate on teams matching their “biological reproductive systems.” Proposition 135 would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing gender transition surgeries to minors .
Nevada Question 6, which we covered earlier this week, is also on the ballot — a second approval required to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution .
Who Benefits: Voters who gain direct say on campaign finance rules, election procedures, and social policy.
Who Is Harmed: Groups whose preferred policies lose at the ballot; states where conflicting measures create legal uncertainty.
Closing Statement: “The effort to build better communities and a better America starts with you. Contact your state representatives and political party’s state, city or county office today and sign up, to give or do what you can to make America better for all.”
Closing Question: Should voters decide campaign finance and election rules directly through ballot measures, or should legislators handle these decisions?
Sources
[Ballotpedia News, “Voters in six states are deciding on seven campaign finance ballot measures this year”](https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/10/02/voters-in-six-states-are-deciding-on-seven-campaign-finance-ballot-measures-this-year/) (October 2, 2026)
[Stateside Associates, “2026 State Ballot Measures”](https://www.stateside.com/election/2026-state-ballot-measures) (Accessed October 2, 2026)
The People’s Weekly — urban intelligence with a holistic social approach.
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