Taxpayers in 24 states will consider ballot measures in this year’s general election that have implications for billions worth of annual tax changes, government budgeting, and other policies, according to a new nationwide Ballot Guide released Thursday by National Taxpayers Union.
In total, there are 59 different statewide measures that directly impact taxpayer dollars, including income, property, sales, and wealth taxes, along with billions in government borrowing.
“Taxpayers deserve to have plain language that details the tax and spending measures that will be on their ballots for this year’s general election,” Vice President of Federal Affairs Tommy Aiello said. “We’re pleased to provide this resource for taxpayers across the country.”
Ballot Guide Highlights by State
- California: Voters face a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires, permanent extension of top income-tax rates estimated at $5–15 billion annually, and tens of billions in proposed bonds. They also have competing measures that could block the wealth tax.
- Florida: Amendment 3 would dramatically expand property-tax exemptions and tighten assessment caps. The guide cites a Florida House estimate of a nearly $12 billion annual reduction in local non-school property-tax revenue once fully implemented.
- Colorado: Proposition NN would allow the state to retain revenue above the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) limit rather than refund it. The guide says taxpayers would forgo approximately $4.6 billion in refunds over the first decade.
- Washington: Initiative 645 would repeal the newly enacted 9.9% tax on wage income above $1 million and prohibit future income taxes. The guide says that would stop a projected $3.1 billion annual tax increase, which it describes as the largest tax hike in state history.
- North Carolina: Voters could constitutionally cap the state income-tax rate at 3.5%, while another amendment would direct the legislature to establish limits on local property-tax increases.
- Iowa: An amendment would require a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers to raise individual or corporate income-tax rates or create a new state income tax.
- Wyoming: Initiative 1 would exempt 50% of the assessed value of a qualifying homeowner’s primary residence from property taxation, with estimated state revenue reductions of about $92.6 million in FY2028 and $95.9 million in FY2029.
- Tennessee: Voters could amend the constitution to permanently prohibit a state property tax; the guide notes Tennessee hasn’t imposed one in more than 75 years.
- Oklahoma: State Question 847 would tighten annual property-valuation growth caps, including reducing the cap for homesteads and agricultural property from 3% to 1.75%.
- Massachusetts: Question 5 would establish a new state revenue limit tied to wage and salary growth, with revenue above the limit returned to taxpayers rather than spent or placed in reserves.
Taxpayers are strongly encouraged to check with their local election authorities for additional information.
National Taxpayers Union is the only free-market organization for taxpayers that unites effective advocacy with useful research about how to limit taxes, spending, and regulation at every level and branch of government—state, federal, administrative, and judicial.