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Midwest election results leave region more competitive; notable ballot measures on abortion, marijuana and voting
Summary
Tamaka reported Republicans made regional gains in 2024, flipping Michigan’s House and narrowing margins in Minnesota, while voters approved and rejected a slate of ballot measures on abortion rights, marijuana and voting rules across the Midwest.
Laura Tamaka reviewed the November election results and ballot measures affecting Midwestern states, saying the region emerged slightly more competitive but that Republican gains favored the GOP in many chambers.
Tamaka said gubernatorial races were on the line in 11 states and legislative contests were widespread, with 44 states holding legislative races in 2024 and 88 of the nation's 99 chambers contested. She reported that, coming out of the election, Republicans increased their control in the region, flipping the Michigan House and producing several close results in Minnesota that could be subject to recounts.
Tamaka summarized ballot measure outcomes she described as consequential: Missouri voters approved a constitutional right to reproductive freedom (including abortion protections); South Dakota and Nebraska voters rejected measures that would have restored or expanded abortion rights; Nebraska approved medical marijuana and both North Dakota and South Dakota rejected recreational marijuana measures; several states considered measures on ranked‑choice voting and on prohibiting noncitizen voting.
Why it matters: Shifts in partisan control and voter approvals or rejections of ballot measures will affect state legislative priorities and could alter policy approaches to abortion, criminal justice and election administration in the coming sessions.
Tamaka said CSG materials include tabulations and state‑level details for those who want to review chamber‑level changes and specific ballot outcomes.
